Message to all our regular customers
In these difficult times it is easy to forget to have your instruments regularly serviced. Once you have had our full overhaul, we strongly suggest returning it to us between 12-18 months thereafter so we can keep your instruments in peak form and add any updates! As our materials and systems are quite unique it is vital that we carry out any servicing to keep your clarinet at the highest level possible
Our specialist wood treatment needs to be re-applied in this time scale to continue to protect your clarinet. The service costs just £84 and includes swedging and replacing pad centres if required as well as cleaning, oiling the keywork and re-sealing the wood
Please contact us in good time as the workshop is pretty busy!
Help combat Covid
We have assessed this latest development in “safe” clarinet playing and are now stocking the BAM clarinet pull through priced at £15 + shipping
We all need to act responsibly and reducing the condensation/spit from our instruments is a big step towards this
This product is made from high-quality microfibers
enhanced with Silver Nano technology:
Exceptional drainage- two different materials to maximise absorption
Antibacterial and antifungal properties
Durable and long-lasting
Easy cleaning with soap and water
One of my students has already made the joke -comes in two sizes…..Bflat and A !
This is however, the best solution to drying and keeping you and your clarinet safe we have seen so far
Videos relating to air control
This video is showing the correct way to improve your breathing in
In this video relating to the article above, there is an explanation of making the best use of your air
To link into the article which has just been published in the CASSGB magazine, this video explains how to achieve the harmonics on any wind instrument
Andrew is now offering online tuition with almost 40 years of teaching experience at every level including 17 years of International Clarinet Summer Schools why not book a consultation now
Having established his University teaching using the free app Zoom, Andrew can now offer online lessons at a discounted rate from £20 per half hour. The following links below will help you get setup to get the most from this platform
Here is a helpful video on YouTube on how to optimise Zoom for musicians https://youtu.be/50NoWIiYECA
These lessons can cover every aspect of clarinet playing and musicianship as well as anything from reed adjustment to basic maintenance. Andrew has been a tutor for many major Conservatoires and Music departments specialising in areas such as embouchure and air control that are often not covered in regular clarinet lesson time. He is also able to offer informed advice on avoiding and coping with injuries through his association with BAPAM (British Association of Performing Arts Medicine) if required, worksheets can be emailed following the lesson as a reminder of the ideas you may need to work on and there is a facility to record the lesson through the Zoom App to maximise your learning experience!
Please email for further information on how to arrange your lesson time at tuition@theclarinet.co.uk or call Andrew on 07968 555534 Payment can be made through either BACS transfer or Paypal in advance.
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- Finger breath!
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- Teaching on Summer School
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- Teaching during Dallas Clarinet conference
New Pre owned stock now available
We now have some additions to the pre owned stock of clarinets
Check the revised list on the for sale section for more exciting additions including ligatures!
ARCS Buffet Tosca Pair
This excellent condition pair of Buffet Tosca clarinets date from 2008, when the Tosca was Buffet’s latest model. The materials used on Toscas at this time are typically superior to Tosca clarinets being produced now.
These clarinets have been given the full ARCS treatment and are performing to the highest possible standard. An additional customisation has been made to the bell of the B flat clarinet: a carbon fibre ring for extra durability. The ring is the same colour as the wood and visible only on close inspection.
Both clarinets have had moderate use, with the B flat more used than the A. The instruments come with the original carbon fibre Tosca double case and, if wanted, a hard leather Buffet single case for the B flat alone.
Price £8000 or near offer
See ARCS clarinets for more information and photos
New Price!
We have delighted to say that we can now offer the last few remaining older Mk 2 models of the outstanding bass clarinet crooks with a 20% discount! The price for the MK3 and the Tosca are slightly higher, please call for the current prices for all models. If you haven’t tried one yet this is the time to see what it can do for your bass clarinet – its a bit like adding a turbo charger
Current stock list below
1 x Selmer MK2 RA HH gold plate
1 x Buffet MK2 SA HH gold plate
I x Selmer MK3 SA HH gold plate
1X Buffet Tosca MK3 SA HH gold plate
Latest customers reviews
I am very happy with the work you’ve done on my clarinet. It’s probably the best I’ve ever known my instrument, it plays with ease and silently for the first time ever! I wish Buffet actually set up their instruments like this from new! It’s really obvious how much my instrument had deteriorated I was working quite hard for an airy unfocussed sound but had just adjusted over time, but no more! I’m delighted with the ease of response , the beautiful consistent tone across all registers and the ease of producing the wide leaps and large slurs across registers. I have found that I can drop a couple of my venting fingerings as the intonation and tone colours have all improved too. The most surprising improvement was how much more alive and immediate the sound was, with no wasted air the dynamic response is more obvious and has more subtlety. The pianissimos were amazing! The “niente” effect was just magical when I discovered how easy it is now! The cleanliness of articulation is also better especially with staccato attacks. Everything I’ve read and head about your brilliant overhauls has been proved, I am absolutely delighted and look forward to being able to concentrate on the music rather than the technique in my playing – shame it’s 10pm – I want to practice again!!
Rob Cox
Freelance player and teacher
My Buffet RC Prestige is now 35 years old and had been subjected to ten years of heavy use since you last serviced it.
The whole instrument has been restored to its former glory. I would even go so far as to say that it now plays better-than-new thanks to the new ARCS MK5 pads you have fitted. These, in combination with the felt you use instead of cork, make for a totally noiseless action. It’s a small but vital point, and one I wasn’t expecting, but I love the cushioned thumbrest you have created. I was previously thinking of trying something like the Kooiman thumbrest but the cushioning you have provided on the existing thumbrest suits me well and is really comfortable. Overall the marked improvements are:
Intonation – noticeably improved in the altissimo register.
Speaking – rapid staccato tonguing is now a joy across all registers and notes that were sometimes reluctant, such as top D, now speak freely.
Tone – is improved and is more flexible at all dynamic levels. The bottom register is also beautifully rich.
Keywork – somehow the keys feel tighter into the instrument. There is an evenness in the action that allows your fingers to “ripple around”. It’s fun!
In a word, the clarinet is now effortless. It finally sounds like me, rather than like me fighting to be me. Many thanks for your expertise in restoring a much-loved instrument.
Chris Evans MA
Solo Clarinet, Waterloo Band of The Rifles
After trying a colleagues clarinet that had just been overhauled by ARCS I thought it was about time my own Buffet R13 deserved an overhaul.
What a difference this made I was literally blown away, what a transformation, it plays better than new, not really surprised as it was losing at least 30% of its air tight seal !! Very quiet keywork, his own designed pads seal the tone holes beautifully, now it’s a real pleasure to play.
Andrew also advised that the bell required some attention due to this being dropped, this was repaired with carbon fibre, again wonderful job.
Andrew is a genius, I highly recommend him and I will certainly use him again
Robert Ghigi
Army Musician
Thank you Andy for the fantastic work you have done overhauling both my A and Bb clarinets. I was beginning to feel frustrated that the clarinets were stuffy and not projecting fully across the range, plus the key work was noisy, and didn’t sit correctly under my fingers. The main difference now is that they play freely and I feel like they are working with me, rather than against me. I now feel that I don’t have to work as hard to achieve the result I want. Thank you also for cleaning them up and making them look like new again. I would highly recommend your overhaul service to colleagues and pupils’
Emily Anderson, clarinet teacher RWCMD Junior Conservatoire
I have only known Andy personally a short time, but I have been aware of him for considerably longer, having blown several colleagues instruments that have had the ‘ARCS’ magic performed on them. He worked on my B&H 1010, improving the C#/G# note by removing and fitting a custom C#/G# tone hole and reshaping the key. He also tweaked and altered the shape and feel of the key-work to make it feel more like a Buffet. What a massive improvement. He has since gone on to adjust my R13 ‘A’ clarinet to correct two very stuffy notes, and has done a complete overhaul of My Buffet S1 Bb clarinet using his latest Mk 5 pads.
Andy is a genius, not only is he a wonderful soloist/clarinet player himself, but is also a marvellous technician. He is able to offer his personal knowledge of playing to advise you and then execute the highest level of workmanship to his repairs, modifications and overhauls. He is very easy to communicate with, and from the very outset, it is clear that he knows everything there is to know about clarinets. He is also able to offer advise on everything from posture to mouthpiece choice, (I am now using a Brad Behn mouthpiece purchased from Andy).
Thanks so much Andy.
Mike Read, freelance woodwind Specialist and Tutor Leicestershire
Just wanted to drop you a line as promised and tell you how pleased I am with the overhaul you did on my Bb clarinet. The whole thing is balanced beautifully and plays so evenly and smoothly! It responds like a new instrument. It’s always daunting handing over an instrument for repairs, but I know how seriously you take your work and so I knew I could trust you to do your absolute best for me. You didn’t disappoint! Your patience in helping me get to the bottom of an issue which had been plaguing me (and other instrument technicians!) for months was greatly appreciated. I can’t wait to get the A done now. Thank you so much for the new lease of life you’ve given to my much-loved Buffet
Anne Harper Freelance clarinettist Belfast
Sponsored artist
Andrew continues to represent and is sponsored by D’Addario, Selmer Paris, Behn Mouthpieces International and Das Blashaus
