Choosing a Clarinet

Information for Parents of Band Students

If a person has never played a clarinet before, they will initially sound the same whether they have an inexpensive student clarinet or a high end professional instrument. On the other hand, if the clarinet is a used instrument that has not been properly maintained, or is an inferior instrument to start with, your student’s progress can be held back and they may become frustrated and lose interest. So how to choose?

Beginner vs. Pro Clarinets,  New vs. Used

Parents are often tempted to buy the best for their children. The best clarinets cost thousands of dollars and are made of wood. Wood clarinets do not hold up as well to being dropped and bumped, as often happens with younger players. If used in varying temperatures and humidity, such as outdoors in a marching band, they can crack. Instead, consider buying a resin (plastic) clarinet made by a reputable manufacturer. They are durable, sound great and cost a lot less. If your student continues with a music education you can always trade it in later for an upgraded model.

Decent quality student clarinets can be purchased for between $300 and $1000, and less if purchased used. Tempted by that brand new $99 clarinet? Please be careful and make sure you read reviews from other purchasers. I have seen cheap clarinets that sounded like a great deal but in fact were so poorly made they were almost impossible to play. Nothing could be worse for a new player than an instrument that is difficult to play. They might think the fault is theirs and are very likely to be discouraged.

A used clarinet can be an excellent deal, provided they have been properly maintained. Clarinets last for many years when they are looked after. Make sure any used clarinet you are considering has been seen by a reputable repair technician.

Here are some student models to consider. This list is by no means exhaustive.

Yamaha YCL-250
Good quality plastic clarinet from a top manufacturer. Easy to play, very nice keywork. I have played this model and found it to be excellent. This model has been around for a while and should be easy to find in both new and used condition. If I was buying a student clarinet today this would be my choice. A little pricy, so depending on your budget you may want to look for a well maintained used one.

Buffet B10 and B12
Good student instruments from a renowned maker. Minor differences in the look (I think the B12 is nicer, with a more traditional design, including nickel-plated body rings instead of black plastic).

Vito 7212 and 7214
A popular choice for students, Vito offers good value, although prices seem to have risen quite a bit. Minor aesthetic design differences between the two models. Vito student instruments are widely used.

Leblanc 7250
From another top maker, this Leblanc model has a durable plastic body.

Artley 72S
Student clarinet but made of wood. Needs a little more care than resin models.

Bundy BCL-300
Low priced clarinet from a respected manufacturer.

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