Clarinet FAQ's

Novices often use plastic clarinets due to their relatively affordable price. They also tend to be more durable than wooden ones, which can be damaged from the slightest fall or bump. Students start on plastic clarinets and eventually move up to wood by their third year, because by this time, their skills have improved enough that plastic clarinets won’t be able to handle their advanced techniques. Go for a plastic clarinet if you’re a beginner with a tendency to be clumsy, and your budget is quite limited. Or if money and being careful isn’t an issue, then by all means start with a wooden instrument. 

At this price point, it can be tempting to go for the brand new instrument instead of looking for a used one, which can be of better quality if you know what to look for. But like with every other instrument out there, you can’t cheap out on a clarinet. Low-tier instruments are often not set up according to industry standards, meaning you won’t be able to learn the basics as well. And if you don’t learn and master the basics, you can’t achieve a certain level of proficiency with it. So no, don’t go for the cheapest one you find. Spend at least a little more to make sure you get a good one. 

Brand new instruments are always a good way to go. Problem is, they can be expensive. As for used ones, you can find a similarly high-tier clarinet for half the price compared to if you bought it brand new. But the issue with used instruments is that you can get a poorly maintained one that won’t last you for a while. When shopping for used clarinets, be sure to do a lot of research before pulling the trigger on an instrument. 

Some woodwind instruments such as the oboe and bassoon use double reeds. The clarinet only uses one. A reed is a thin, long piece of, well, reed, that is attached to the mouthpiece and is critical in producing sound. Without the reed, the clarinet won’t be able to sound properly, if it even produces a sound at all. Double reeds are more of a tube compared to single ones, and are created using two reed pieces woven together at the bottom. 

Generally, the answer is yes. There is always a certain amount of luxury that surrounds older instruments, especially if they are in good, playable condition. If the instrument is well-maintained and looks/performs like new despite its age, then it can be worth its original price-sometimes even higher. But the thing with clarinets is that the wood might not be in as good of a condition it used to be. This is also the same issue with its axis and keys, which can go bad with time. 

Brands such as Yamaha, Buffet, and Jupiter are reputable ones that produce good quality student-level clarinets. Despite their lower-end tier, these instruments give beginners a good musical foundation that will make it easier for them to upgrade to professional level clarinets. You can also go for brands such as Uebel, Selmer, and LeBlanc, but their higher-end offerings can be very expensive for the average consumer. So when shopping, remember to look for an instrument that fits very well within your budget.