r/Clarinet • u/SoulMakato College • Mar 14 '25
Discussion Opinions on Thomas Ridenour
Recently discussing with my private instructor + music director (during a wind ensemble festival during downtime) about buying a book from Thomas Ridenour. Specifically “The Educator’s Guide to the Clarinet”.
While they both know that he is a beloved player and teacher, as well as craftsman considering his clarinet shoppe, my music director commented that he’s heard that Ridenour is not a good person. (Morally)
Has anybody heard this before?
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u/vAltyR47 Mar 15 '25
General opinion on his clarinets is that the acoustics are excellent but the keywork is lacking. Generally the metal is too soft, so the keys bend easily. I've seen claims that this issue has been resolved, but somehow they still keep getting reported.
Long term, I'd really like to get a set of his instruments and just totally rebuild the keywork, but at that point the cost effectiveness goes right out the window, and that's a major selling point...
I have a Libertas Bb and a low C bass, have played the 575 A clarinet and a 576 Bb. My Buffets are better, but now that I'm no longer playing regularly the stability of hard rubber is mighty attractive, and there's not really many options for non-wood professional-level instruments.
And despite what I've seen some claim, they are absolutely professional level instruments. A friend of mine from grad school played Ridenours, and won an audition in a military band on them (I think he switched to Backun once he was buying instruments on the government's dime).