I hate to admit it...but I think I am obsessed! (In a good way...) I sometimes refer to my clarinet as my "baby." I mean, yeah it sounds weird but it`s become a joke between me and my friends. I practice as much as a professional usually does. (about 2 1/2 or 3 hours a day.) And I never get tired of it. I have a 1966 Buffet R-13 Bb Clarinet with a Clark Forbes CF+ mouthpiece and a Moenning Buffet barrel--I`m sorry, I`m really not trying to brag. After all, I am 3rd chair out of 8 clarinet players. I was also wondering: do any of you guys practice a lot too? At our school we are so competitive that it drives us crazy! HAHAHA...I seriously love playing the clarinet and I would give up a million dollars to keep playing. (Sometimes people even tease me for loving band...but I know that playing the clarinet is going to be my career! And I`m only 14!) Best Wishes to all of you. I hope to hear from other clarinet players who love band too! *Amber

PS. Have a happy and safe holiday season!

There is nothing wrong with loving your clarinet. It`s good that you practice so much. In my first few years I practiced a lot too, then other things (like high school) got in the way and I`m lucky if I get 15 minutes of practice time in. Anyway. I`ve named my clarinets. When you name yours, then you say your obsessed. ;-) Keep playing, because nothing in the world will give you the same satisfaction that music does.

Oh, yeah...I`ve um...named my clarinets too. My beginner one is Annette and my new one is Claire...lol get it? Anyway, I am glad u dont think im crazy for loving band so much!

I love clarinet too.......
I`ve been playing for years now, and it is my favorite thing to do. I hope to become the principal clarinetist of a symphony orchestra like Chicago`s or a freelance soloist and private instructor ( i know i have really high hopes........lol)
I play on Leblancs- the Concerto is my first love.......
I am considering buying an R13 though because i like the dark tones- although Leblancs are more in tune and even.
I have yet to name my clarinets though, but i might one day.....
P.S.- I`m 14 too...... lol

Oh I know!! I want to be in some really big symphony too!!! The principle clarinetist of the Ft. Worth Symphony in Texas is the guy who always "re-conditions" my clarinet to be completely in tune and puts new corks on it. I recently got a Clarke Forbes CF mouthpiece, a Buffet Moenning B 660 barrel, and a silver ligature. I got my new (old) clarinet at the end of last summer when I got into my school`s top band. My beginner band director told me about 2 weeks ago that he is very impressed that I have all of this stuff on my clarinet and I`m only in 8th grade. He was all like "Only professionals have all this stuff." And I was like "THIS IS MY FUTURE! I HAVE TO BE THE BEST I CAN POSSIBLY BE!!" hahaha...Oh, and tomorrow I am having my party and some of my friends (who are all in band) are coming over and we`re gonna have a concert! lol...In fact, I`ve been practicing the last few hours while looking for music online--hope to hear from you soon! -Amber
PS I turned 14 last week!!

Hey, You guys are really into the clarinet! I am too, I play a Buffet R-13 have a Pyne mouthpiece(which are really great!), I was wondering I really want to be great at the clarinet but I can`t seem to make myself practice! any tips? 4th chair (sophomore) in a super great band!

Me too!

i realy want to play the clarinet but i dont know where i can get lessons.ps i am in 4 grade.

I really like the clarinet although I`m only in 6th grade. I started playing about 2 years ago and I have loved it ever since. I also have played the piano for 4 1/2 years. By the way does anybody know where I can get some good clarinet music? Possibly duets for clarinets? Also, to the 4th grader who wants to play the clarinet, does your school have a band? Thats how I started. You might have to wait until the 5th or 6th grade, but its free and you get to have fun with other band players!

Clarinet lover from Wyoming
(and no people from Wyoming don`t ride horses all the time, we are a regular state!)

I love the clarinet also! I have been playing for two years now and I`m in the 6th grade and Im learning how to play pink panther. I call my clarinet my baby and I wanna buy a bullet proof steel case for my clarinet! lol

Playing the clarinet is a big part of my life, and yes, it happens I practice for up to three, four hours. I don`t play that a nice clarinet thought, I play a Jupiter (hoping to raise the money to buy one of these Eton clarinets)

Ya I love the clarinet too!!! It is one of 3 of my favorite things to do. I only practice 30 min. to 2 hours a day. I usually don`t have much time to practice though. I would like to get better at it, too. Could anyone give me some information on how to be a better clarinetist?? If u do reply back!!, or e-mail me at roxy_chic9@msn.com Thanks A Bunch!!

want info on how to be a better clarinetist? stop reading this and go practice.

I think she was looking for specific tips. When you practice, start with long tones. Then practice all 12 major scales and your chromatic scale. I would suggest getting a method book and find technique builders to work on, and also work on a solo piece such as Mozart or Stamitz. Warm down at the end of your rpactice time with long tones again. This is what my instructors make me do -- works for me. Good luck & have fun.

AMBER , I am the same as you, I practice about 3 hours a day , but I`m only 12,FINILY somebody eles who loves practicing , By the way , I call my clarinet Baby too.