NuvoDood - Black

If you've played clarinet, you understand this joke (and it's relation to reeds!): How many clarinetists does it take to change a lightbulb? The answer - who knows...but they'll go through boxes and boxes of lightbulbs looking for just the right one!I've played clarinet for over four decades...mostly soprano, but also alto and bass. I've played saxophones. Playing the saxophone takes effort at the highest echelons of musical performance, but it is a relatively easy instrument to start playing as a beginner. Playing a clarinet, however, is like joining the priesthood; you must first sacrifice the rest of your life to pursue this path, and just when you think you're 'getting it', you have to sacrifice more. For some of us, clarinet is worth it; for me, there's nothing else like it, not even the saxophone (though playing the clarinet DOES make playing a sax...and most other woodwinds... fairly easy). What the Nuvo Dood does is make that first step EASY. I can see this nifty little instrument luring a lot of people in the clarinet direction.I purchased this because I wanted a small musical instrument to take motorcycle camping. I was originally looking at harmonicas, ukuleles, and various percussion instruments, but then settled on the idea of a "camping clarinet". It made sense, since I've played clarinet for so long. However, a regular clarinet wouldn't hold up to the abuse it would see out on the dusty trails we have here is the western USA. The Nuvo Dood, however, seems rugged and should take the abuse just fine. And even if it gets damaged or destroyed, it's only $30 (as of Dec. 2023), so it's super affordable to replace.When I opened the Amazon package after delivery, the Nuvo Dood was nicely contained in an internal box, and inside of that box was soft case containing the instrument. It came with two synthetic reeds, with strengths of 1 and 1.5. The Dood is some sort of plastic, but it feels like a "good plastic" and not a "cheap plastic". The mouthpiece cap, bell, and finger keys are a silicone material that feels good and seems rugged. The reed is held to the mouthpiece by a nifty little clamping mechanism. So far, so good...The first time I played the instrument, I was shocked. The tone is superb for such a simple instrument. While it wasn't quite the same as a regular clarinet, it's close enough for a 'camping clarinet'. It's one octave, and fully chromatic. It's in the key of C, which is perfect for this sort of instrument, particularly if you'll be playing with others; if it were in the key of Bb like a regular soprano clarinet, you'd really want the extra finger keys for playing in remote keys. Within minutes I had this baby all figured out and was having fun cranking out tunes. And it sounded GREAT.Camping trips are going to be more fun now. Highly, highly recommend. And if you're a flute or saxophone player, they have those, too...

kiddo enjoys it. He was a little irritated that the fingering chart was different from his clarinet, but he adjusted. Sounds nice when he plays it and sometimes I can't tell the difference between the two instruments.

This little turd is such an enjoyable toy to keep around.I've played.... basic rock band instruments for 20 years and .... as a creative type, got bored and wanted to expand. I started with the JSax, actually.I've been interested in brass and woodwinds on Ebay and at flea markets but always hated the prices and these D00ds..... made a seriously affordable beginner instrument.I see absolutely no reason why anyone should ever doubt getting this as a beginner/practice instrument.I used to wear Jenco jeans, staring at guitar magazines, having a $5 allowance, waiting for a day to buy at least a $100 guitar, this Dood.... is revolutionary, to me. It is technology making instruments affordable to anyone. Is it expert quality? HELL NO, that artisan stuff is done with metal and cellulose to a level of detail that I don't even know about....Beginner?Hell Yeah!Super easy to play and learnReally fun to fart around withAbility to record for a song???..........................not exactly.... timbre is ....PLEASANT for the parents while the child, or spouse practices. It isn't harsh or too loud. This, according to me, a 20 year musician of guitars and drums, not brass, not woodwinds..... It is fantastic.Super easy available embouchure, and from my experience from this company, they send a few different ... impressive reeds.Look, I like to play with new instruments... I intend on all of my new toys being from this company because of the quality, ease of play and learning.... and I really think this company would be great for schools.