Leslie Craven https://www.lesliecraven.co.uk Leslie Craven owner of Ridenour Clarinet products UK Ltd clarinets made of sustainable natural hard rubber with the finest tuning scale and evenness of note and Leslie's unique professional set up. Inexpensive and professional quality played by some top players worldwide Sun, 03 Mar 2024 16:34:11 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.3.17 https://i2.wp.com/www.lesliecraven.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/cropped-WIN_20191012_16_58_22_Pro-2-2.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Leslie Craven https://www.lesliecraven.co.uk 32 32 Migration of Site and Company name https://www.lesliecraven.co.uk/migration-of-site-and-company-name/ Sun, 03 Mar 2024 16:34:09 +0000 https://www.lesliecraven.co.uk/?p=5150 In a few months this website will no longer be online as we are moving permanently to the new https://theclarinetcompany.com

website which is our main web address for the site and all products formerly sold by Ridenour Clarinet Products UK LTD Please do use the new site you will find it easy to navigate and much easier to find products than on this current site.

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MARCA REEDS – please note we no longer sell reeds on this site or our sister site theclarinetcompany.com All other accessories are available. https://www.lesliecraven.co.uk/marca-reeds-please-note-we-no-longer-sell-reeds-on-this-site-or-our-sister-site-theclarinetcompany-com-all-other-accessories-are-available/ Tue, 05 Dec 2023 10:10:20 +0000 https://www.lesliecraven.co.uk/?p=5134 Cardiff Clarinet Convention 2023 https://www.lesliecraven.co.uk/cardiff-clarinet-convention-2023/ Sat, 14 Jan 2023 16:28:15 +0000 https://www.lesliecraven.co.uk/?p=5082 Leslie Craven and Dr Daniel Bickerton and the University of Cardiff School of Music welcome Special Guest artist Mark O’Brien Bass clarinet C.B.S.O. on Sunday 3oth April 9am – 7pm for a day of inspiring clarinet and Saxophone events: concerts , workshops with Mark O’Brien and master classes with Leslie Craven, , ensembles large and small, one to one accompaniment sessions with Alistair Logan coaching Clarinet Choir with Peter Fielding and Leslie Craven Directing, to get an application form go to the CONVENTION page

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New additions to the Ridenour and Sonoro family of clarinets https://www.lesliecraven.co.uk/new-additions-to-the-ridenour-and-sonoro-family-of-clarinets/ Wed, 15 Jul 2020 12:48:14 +0000 https://www.lesliecraven.co.uk/?p=4706 Please visit the Ridenour Sonoro pages for all new additions to the Sonoro range and the new Noblissimma Ridenour mid-price clarinet. Now there is a less expensive Sonoro alternative for players starting and going through to Grade 8 the new Sonoro SM. Two models of bass clarinet and more exciting and incredible value new models on the way – watch this space!

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NEW CRAVEN MOUTHPIECE AVAILABLE NOW see Leslie’s products or Ridenour Clarinet products UK Ltd https://www.lesliecraven.co.uk/new-craven-mouthpiece-available-now-see-leslies-products-or-ridenour-clarinet-products-uk-ltd/ Mon, 12 Aug 2019 17:22:19 +0000 https://www.lesliecraven.co.uk/?p=3356 For the price of an average stock mouthpiece this hand finished (to your preference) is available at a budget price and even less if bought with a clarinet – played by many top players and tested and adjusted to suit your playing style personally by Leslie Craven

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Leslie’s Summer Courses begin with an individual residential weekend and lots of praise….. https://www.lesliecraven.co.uk/leslies-summer-courses-begin-with-an-individual-residential-weekend-and-lots-of-praise/ Tue, 31 Jul 2018 09:47:51 +0000 https://www.lesliecraven.co.uk/?p=2089  

This from an adult learner (aged 66) of  clarinet of about grade 5/6 standard who drove the 5-6 hours from Durham for an individual residential weekend :

Dear Les

Thank you again for a very enjoyable weekend, for your invaluable teaching (and patience).  The intensity of the sessions was just right to drill down the correct method into a rusty old brain, now I need to work on re-training, foccussing on all the things you pointed out and taught me. Thank you both for your hospitality and a big thank you to Chris for her hard work and lovely cooking. I look forward to reconnecting with you again in due course, Many thanks and best wishes Sam (Durham)

From Les: We foccussed on improving tone and sight reading plus breath support and air delivery along with reed adjusting, and articulation but still had time to enjoy the garden and jacuzzi and a little sight seeing and a local riverside pub!! 

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Leslie’s Clarinet Courses https://www.lesliecraven.co.uk/clarinet-weekends/ Wed, 13 Jun 2018 16:15:21 +0000 http://www.lesliecraven.co.uk/?p=1912 Summer is an ideal time to consider a weekend  or mid week break 

with your clarinet and some friends or even as an individual – to get my  undivided attention. Great tuition, innovative and instructional  classes, good food and drink of all sorts and lots of fun whilst doing some serious learning about repertoire and how to play the clarinet. Enjoy the scenery and relaxing ambience of the Wye Valley – designated as  an area of natural outstanding beauty. See my clarinet courses page for details for solo or ensemble weekends residential or non residential. enjoy the beauty of our private garden and surroundings –  including a purpose built summer house with jacuzzi * (*some common sense hygiene rules apply).

Courses for Soprano (A  Bb C ) clarinets and bass clarinets or mixtures of all these – plus reed fixing, help with embouchure problems and ergonomics, staccato. Improve your sight reading and learn to perform and present yourself as a soloist.

Why not have  some fun with a spontaneous composition class ? Enjoy the fun of composing a new piece of music on the spot with me, using some simple, easy to learn  techniques, learning to explore new sounds.

Why not email  me and see what sort of course can be tailored to suit you, or, you and friends? There is a style of course for all and it is not limited to Summer  Autumn and Winter breaks can be arranged also. 

 

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NEW: CREDIT /DEBIT cards accepted via telephone for all purchases https://www.lesliecraven.co.uk/new-credit-debit-cards-accepted-via-telephone-transactions-for-all-major-purchases/ Wed, 28 Feb 2018 09:51:14 +0000 http://www.lesliecraven.co.uk/?p=1792 Recently RCP UK has received a state of the art card reader from 123 SEND  a reputable Card reader company a new facility for those unable to make payment  by bank transfer or other means. This is administered by Cardnet of Lloyds bank –  secure and efficient.

Most major cards are accepted and I hope to be of service to more customers.  I will always be glad to hear from anyone by telephone 01600 714169 or mobile 07883281030 if a purchase is required. I realise postage for individual items is excessive if more than one item is clicked to buy (as postage is calculated just for the individual item not bundles) so if you wish more than one accessory please phone me and I will be happy to discuss your requirements. I will give a price for postage and also discounts for multiple purchases.

I will always discount accessories when bought with clarinets and please do not hesitate to call to discuss prices and availability of clarinets and bundles of clarinets with accessories. Prices do fluctuate a bit according to exchange rates so it is worth a call to have a chat. Currently  I have a stock of Low C basses and C clarinets plus Bb and A clarinets and all accessories. Thanks and best wishes Les

   Master CardMaestroVisaVisa ElectronJCB

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C clarinets from Ridenour are the best ! https://www.lesliecraven.co.uk/c-clarinets-from-ridenour-are-the-best/ Wed, 21 Feb 2018 16:37:57 +0000 http://www.lesliecraven.co.uk/?p=1784 Today I saw an amusing comment on a website for a major musical instrument shop in a review of the wooden C clarinet ( weirdly named after a Cremonese master violin maker) on their site. The reviewer commented that he “only had to fill in a few holes to try to get the clarinet into tune (and then there were a few other notes not quite in tune)  and then also the high F” ( normally flat on any clarinet using the standard fingering but easily countered by opening the A key simultaneously as the normal fingering or you can use several others but this is the quickest and easiest fix – Les)

The cost including VAT was almost as much as the Ridenour C which is in incredibly well in tune, very even in note size dimensions  and overall tone quality in all  registers and will never crack. With the Ridenour however you are also paying for my time setting the clarinets up and quality after sales service and you get the clarinet set up to my professional level to play in any pro arena whether chamber, symphonic or operatic.

Cheaper wooden clarinets from various Eastern European countries are as prone to crack just as much as expensive ones from France or Japan. The funniest comment on this site however was – “wooden body affords better tone !!!!”  Really???  Surely  it is the player that makes the sound ! If you make a poor tone it will not get better with a wooden clarinet !!

Ridenour C clarinets are the best value  for the money and the sound quality (provided you make a decent sound) is beautiful and never harsh or strident whereas some wooden C clarinets can be in the high register especially. So don’t go with the rest buy the RCP  best

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