20 Best Clarinet Reviews 2022 – Best Clarinet Brands

Best Clarinet & Best Clarinet Brands

Best Clarinet & Best Clarinet Brands

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A musician is as good as his instrument, and nobody wants to be told that it is only a bad workman who complains of his tools. This is why you must take certain things into consideration when you want to buy any musical instrument, including a clarinet. You might want to buy the best clarinet but may not know which clarinet will suit your needs or how to identify the best clarinet.

Almost everyone has a problem with buying the wrong clarinet during their first purchase. This could simply be because they did not do a proper research on what they wanted and ended up settling for what the marketer gave them at the price they considered fair. Before buying a clarinet, there is a need for you to understand the parts of a clarinet. Get yourself acquainted with the following parts and their functions then learn about the best products in the market.

Related: Clarinet Case, Clarinet Reeds, Clarinet Stand, Clarinet Mouthpieces

What are the Best Clarinets to Buy?

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Mendini by Cecillo Bb Clarinet w/Case - Best Beginners Clarinet for Students, Adults and Kids w/Stand, Pocketbook, Mouthpiece and 10 Reeds - Wind & Woodwind Musical Instruments - Light Blue
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Jean Paul USA CL-300 Student Clarinet B Flat
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Glory B Flat Clarinet with Second Barrel, 11reeds,8 Pads cushions,case,carekit -Black with silver keys
Mendini by Cecillo Bb Clarinet w/Case - Best Beginners Clarinet for Students, Adults and Kids w/Stand, Pocketbook, Mouthpiece and 10 Reeds - Wind & Woodwind Musical Instruments - Light Blue
Jean Paul USA CL-300 Student Clarinet B Flat
Glory B Flat Clarinet with Second Barrel, 11reeds,8 Pads cushions,case,carekit -Black with silver keys
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Mendini by Cecillo Bb Clarinet w/Case - Best Beginners Clarinet for Students, Adults and Kids w/Stand, Pocketbook, Mouthpiece and 10 Reeds - Wind & Woodwind Musical Instruments - Light Blue
Mendini by Cecillo Bb Clarinet w/Case - Best Beginners Clarinet for Students, Adults and Kids w/Stand, Pocketbook, Mouthpiece and 10 Reeds - Wind & Woodwind Musical Instruments - Light Blue
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2
Jean Paul USA CL-300 Student Clarinet B Flat
Jean Paul USA CL-300 Student Clarinet B Flat
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3
Glory B Flat Clarinet with Second Barrel, 11reeds,8 Pads cushions,case,carekit -Black with silver keys
Glory B Flat Clarinet with Second Barrel, 11reeds,8 Pads cushions,case,carekit -Black with silver keys
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The Basic Parts of a Clarinet

The Bore

The bore is the part of the clarinet that makes the sound you hear. It extends from the mouthpiece to the bell. It usually comes in a cylindrical shape. This means the diameter is the same throughout, but some clarinets come with a poly-cylindrical bore. Having a poly-cylindrical bore means that the diameter is not the same throughout. A change in the diameter of a bore affects the sound by creating slight resistance.

The Tenor Corks

The clarinet comes in sections. The cork strips at the end of each section help to make the different sections fit when assembled.

The Thumb Rest

Sometimes, a player may need to spread the weight while playing, the thumb rest which is located on the back of the lower clarinet joint help make the weight spreading possible.

Tone Holes

These are holes that produce the musical notes. They are found underneath the keys and must be covered completely to produce the right notes when playing.

The ABS Resin

Most people would always consider buying wooden clarinets. No doubt, it has its cons, but the alternative plastic type isn’t a bad idea. While the wooden clarinets may serve for professionals and some intermediate players, the plastic type is weather resistible and does not crack easily.

You also need to know if you need a student clarinet, intermediate or professional clarinet. There are top brands in the clarinet market and they are available in both student, intermediate, and professional categories. Some of such brands include Yamaha, Buffet, Mendini, Jean Paul, etc.

20 Best Clarinets Reviews & Best Clarinet Brands

The following are top 20 best clarinets by different manufacturers you can buy at relatively affordable prices:

This is a complete package for any student and intermediate clarinet player. It presents itself as a beautiful design easy to operate and maintain. It has quality and durable components that are well packaged in a hard shell case, which serves as a protective case for the clarinet.

The case is light in weight and makes the clarinet to be easily handled and transported. The Mendini MCT-SB+SD+PB Sky Blue ABS B Flat Clarinet is built with an ABS resin and designed in the Bb key (B-Flat). It is one of the most common and affordable clarinets you can buy for your kids and for yourself.

The Mendini MCT-SB+SD+PB Sky Blue ABS B Flat Clarinet full package comes with an added advantage of a clarinet pocket book to guide beginners and other users, this one reason why it is uniquely different from other brand packages. It also comes with advanced features such as foldable Clarinet Stand, mouthpiece, adjustable thumb rest and 10 reeds 2.5 inches in size and a maintenance kit containing cork grease, a pair of gloves, cleaning cloth etc.

It has a high grade sky blue ABS body that makes it durable, and its keys are nickel plated. The foldable clarinet stand is kept inside the bell. It is indeed one of the best clarinets you can buy for yourself and your kid who is interested in playing clarinet.

This is indeed among the most, highly rated and best clarinet brand and type, and it is often placed as one of the best student clarinet brands. It is made of ebonite and produces better sounds than plastic. It is not as fragile as wooden clarinets, making it a very durable brand.

It is a common brand of clarinet in the music stores and is a quality choice for a well-rounded student. The Jean Pau USA CL-300 clarinet is a standard Bb (B-Flat) clarinet, and most definitely serve as a good choice for any school band no matter the range of music available by the band. The Jean Pau USA CL-300 clarinet is however prone to keys bending and not an ideal choice for younger players.

This clarinet is suitable for beginning students. It has a flawless finish with Beautiful sound and it is easy to play. It is made of a high quality ebonite (black and ABS body plated with durable nickel keys). It also features Key of Bb with adjustable thumb rest and inline trill keys.

It has a hard-shell case and a second barrel, a mouthpiece, as well as a cap and 11 reeds, 8 pads cushion, a light case for easy mobility and handling, care kits and black/silver keys. Teachers can recommend them to their students. It is an affordable instrument for anyone who is interested in buying a cheap clarinet. However, its colored types are not ideal for a young clarinet player.

Also it is difficult or almost impossible to replace any of its damaged parts or repair them even with a highly skilled technician. It is a problem since every instrument needs regular maintenance and repairs of some sort. It is also susceptible to wear and tear.

Regardless of its cons, it is a better alternative for high school marching bands because of its new mouthpiece, ligature, and reeds. It is advisable you upgrade some its parts after buying, especially its mouthpiece and ligature.

4) Mendini MCT-30 Intermediate Solid Rosewood B Flat Clarinet

This comes with an excellent quality rosewood body. It has silver plated keys and inline trill keys with adjustable thumb rests, as well as keys of Bb (B Flat) with prime pads. Its craft is amazing and produces alluring tones. It is a wooden clarinet and comes with two barrels, one slightly longer than the other and a modern and decent tuner.

It also comes with 10 reeds, mouthpiece and a hard shell case, which protects the instrument and aids its transportation. This is an ideal clarinet for both beginners and intermediate players and one of the best for student players.

The adjustable thumb rest gives the player a good hand position while playing. However, because of its wooden nature it often expands and contracts in response to temperature, needing more maintenance than plastic clarinets. This is often the case with wooden clarinets.

Mendini MCT-30 Intermediate Solid Rosewood B Flat is easy to assemble and also comes with a foldable stand stored inside the bell. Its size is 14x14x10 inches and weighs less than 4.2 pounds. It is designed in several colors, ranging from white, black, silver, gold etc. The Mendini MCT-30 Intermediate Solid Rosewood B Flat promises a good and interesting music experience for both the players and listeners.

5) Yamaha YCL-255 Standard Bb Clarinet

Yamaha YCL-255 Standard Bb Clarinet

This is a plastic clarinet which produces a warm and pulsating tone, making it sound like a wooden clarinet. Apart from its sound, it has a matte ABS resin body which gives it a similar looks with that of a wooden clarinet. It also has silver keys plated with nickel and has 65mm barrel with adjustable thumb rest.

It is indeed a state-of-the-art clarinet. The Yamaha YCL-255 Standard Bb Clarinet also comes with a new adjustment thumb rest with neck strap ring that allows players to improve on their playing technique. Its neck strap ring accommodates players with different hand sizes; that is both children and adult hands.

It is equally lighter in weight and durable because of its solid ABS resin bell. Also, amongst its features is a valentine padsh. The valentine padsh does not react easily to changes in temperature like wooden clarinets and it is solidly durable and easy to maintain and repair. Yamaha YCL-255 Standard Bb Clarinet also has a strap ring that makes it easy to hold.

The strap ring is durable and well fitted with firm screws as well as silver soldered rings. If you are looking for a thrilling music experience, then the Yamaha YCL-255 Standard Bb Clarinet won’t be a bad choice. You can comfortably and easily move your instrument from your home to band practice and recital grounds.

Hisonic Signature Series have added some great finishing touches to their instruments resulting in great value. This is an appealing instrument with an excellent tone quality and very easy playability. It is an assuring instrument to begin with.

Its tone is clear making it suitable for different types of performances. It comes with pads manufactured in the USA, and has nickel silver plated keys. The Hisonic Clarinet is designed with ebonite and also comes with clarinet swab and cork grease as well as Protective plush lined case.

The protective plush lined case protects the instrument against wear and tear that is caused by exposure to extreme temperatures, as well as against the rigor of carrying it about. Also featured in the Hisonic Signature Series is a mouthpiece with reed protector Bb soprano.

This clarinet is commonly used by jazz bands, marching bands and orchestra. It affords the student player and the listener a good music experience. It is a durable clarinet and would prove a valuable gift. The Hisonic Signature Series weighs 4.1 pounds and has a rating of 4.5/50, making it one the best clarinets. Its case has reinforced hinged edges.

This has a body that is finely grained Bakelite and fashioned in an ebony style. Each piece fits together perfectly and enhances high quality experience while playing. The Windsor Bb clarinet has a stunning nickel plated keys and trims, and its reinforced keys and pads gives a specific and excellent intonation that makes its player comfortable and confident while playing, even as a learner.

It has a case that fits perfectly to the instrument, thereby protecting the instrument against weather and temperature and poor student handling. It is sturdy but lightweight making it easy for the player to carry about.

Its size is 62x12x21 and generally weighs 2.2kg. The Windsor Bb Clarinet is indeed a student model because of its ABS body which makes it appear and sound like a granadilla wood that is the apparent feature of more advanced models.

It also produces sound and tonal accuracies that are comparable with other intermediate or professional instruments. It gives beginners a perfect introduction to the great woodwind instrument. The Windsor Bb Clarinet offers comfort to learners.

8) Kaizer Student Clarinets Standard B flat (Bb)

This is often considered as beginners’ choice when considering buying the best clarinets. It has a leatherette pads which optimizes intonation control, and comes with steel springs that helps to deliver a smooth, and responsive action while maximizing playability.

It is easy to assemble and disassemble. It also has such advanced features as adjustable thumb rest that gives the player comfort while playing, undercut tone holes and it has nickel-plated keys.

With a clarinet maintenance kit, a learner can easily maintain his/her instrument, clean up moisture and dust. It has a mouthpiece, dust cap and ligature. Its design depicts quality, versatility, and enhances playability and practicality. The features present in this clarinet help prepare the player for the transition into a professional level instrument. Kaizer Student Clarinets Standard B flat (Bb) are designed to last long and does not require heavy maintenance like the wooden clarinets.

This instrument allows students to focus on building a fine playing technique while learning the fundamentals. The Kaizer Student Clarinets Standard B flat (Bb) has an ebonite design and metal reinforced bell which also ensures durability and help to minimize chances of damaging bell or the clarinet. Its case allows the student to transport it easily.

This is made of ebony wood grain with nickel plated silver keys. It also has a deluxe case that is soft and comes with backpack straps as well as mouthpiece and reed case. Mirage Student Wood grain Clarinet is a perfect design for a beginning clarinet player that desires and needs a clarinet with good sounds at an affordable price.

The TTC50WA provides for the student an excellent tonal quality. It has a quick response and quality tone that enables the student learn faster if he/she so desire.

A set of this instrument will make a wonderful gift and promises a great value for the price. It has a perfect blend of beauty, Sound, and price. The MirageTTC50WA Bb Wood grain Clarinet has received and is still receiving good reviews from professionals, teachers and students alike.

It helps student players enhance their clarinet playing skills and proofs a good choice when buying a clarinet as a beginner. It is a beautiful piece with a fine artistry.

10) The Legacy CL750

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Legacy CL750 is one of the best clarinets and it comes with a zippered canvas case that can be converted into a handy backpack in no time to keep the clarinet protected against weather and temperature and also rough handling by the student player.

The case also provides comfort for the player, allowing the student or player move about with the instrument with less stress. The Legacy CL750 is woodwind clarinet with hardened nickel keys and Italian pads, making it a beautiful and durable clarinet. It produces superior and high quality sound.

It is indeed an excellent choice for any student or intermediate player who is looking for a good and an affordable clarinet to buy. Its barrel comes in different sizes and it has a prime Italian made pads.

Legacy-CL750 weighs 3.6 pounds and has a size of 76.2×25.4cm and it is generally rated high. Legacy Legacy-CL750 is produced by Leo Fender. Its light weight is indeed an added advantage over other clarinet brands. It is rated one of the best student and intermediate clarinets at an affordable price.

If your kid is a member of any band, or orchestra, or student and you are considering buying him/her the best clarinet, then Lazarro clarinet would be a brilliant choice. It is an excellent and brilliant clarinet for any occasion, orchestras, lessons, bands and concerts. It is a US standard clarinet and always considered a teacher approved clarinet.

It is a stylish and very durable clarinet that has been checked out by professionals. It has such advanced features as ligature, mouthpiece with 11 reeds, second barrel, fabric case, reeds holder, soft cleaning cloth, screw driver, CSP and cork grease. It is made from hard ebonite resin and looks like wooden clarinets.

It has silver keys and bell rings with good and quality pads producing rich sounds, and an adjustable thumb rest. It has a sophisticated look and comes in different colors. The different colors are made from different by excellent materials.

The black Lazarro Clarinet is made of hard rubber or resin material, why the colored Lazarro Clarinet is made of a durable ABS plastic. It is light weighted and easy to hold and usually comes with a wooden case and 10 spare reeds. It is an affordable clarinet and also a good clarinet for kids who want to learn how to play the clarinet.

12) Leblanc Bliss Step-Up Model L210N Bb Clarinet

Leblanc Bliss Step-Up Model L210N Bb Clarinet was designed with high quality, affordability and with unique bore design. It is free blowing, but also allows the production of beautiful tone as a result of its voicing groove in the bell, unique undercut tone holes, bore design and its ring less bell and BLISS barrel. Leblanc Bliss clarinets are created from pure and aged granadilla woods.

Its adjustment screws on the crow’s foot as well as its pinky keys make it easy for the keys to remain in adjustment. The Leblanc Bliss clarinet has a beautiful and seamless look, which help players accomplish a beautiful and even intonation and also maintain a smooth scale.

It has a small bore but produces big sounds that are well controlled. It also has a hard robber mouthpiece and a lighter ringless design that is designed for resonance only, a better feel, it’s voicing groove in bell effectively controls the upper register. It is durable and has a chrome nickel silver shine.

The Step-Up Model L210N Bb Clarinet has such features as a bonade ligature, black Valentino pads, adjustment thumb rest that has a neck stealing ring, cap and backpack case. If you are searching for a thrilling music experience, then this great piece will not disappoint you.

13) The Buffet B12

Buffet B12 is one of the most common and respected student clarinets ever designed. One of the most successful companies designed it in the clarinet design business, Buffet-Crampon. The Buffet B12 is rated as a clarinet capable of a very high performance and can help serious minded students improve faster.

The Buffet B12 is a German made clarinet that is produced and designed with a lightweight and a durable ABS resin brushed with a satin finish.The Buffet B12 clarinet makes use of metal tenor rings and its keys are nickel-plated. Its bore is poly-cylindrical in shape, that is, it is not evenly shaped throughout. This allows for production of fine and quality tone that is alluring and appealing to both the player and listeners.

It has under-cut tone holes with Pitch Bb material that is brushed with ABS resin. It also has Plastic Pads with double Skin Key Style. The Buffet B12 comes with 17 nickel Plated keys, mouthpiece, and a 65mm ABS case and has a 0.577 inches bore. It is one good piece of work and also a durable clarinet.

D’Luca 200 Series Black Ebonite seventh Keys Bb Clarinet is a beginner as well as an intermediate clarinet which provides players with fine intonation, mechanical reliability as well as comfort. It is said to even exceed school standards and have been given recommendations by school band teachers and music instructors.

It is made of ebonite and produces a unique sound compared to other clarinets. It is in the Bb key and its design allows it to produce specific rich tone and a smooth delivery. It has 17 keys that are nickel plated which blends perfectly well with the clarinet finish.

A player can with the aid of the adjustment thumb rest get a balanced and better hand position, thereby ensuring a comfortable playing experience. D’Luca 200 Series clarinet is a, quality clarinet with a, double barrel that can be switched so as to improve the clarinet tone. It has a standard light weight canvas case that helps to protect the instrument and makes it easily transportable.

It also has one 2-strenght Reed, swab cork, mouthpiece, and a pair of gloves, cork grease, screw driver, thumb cushion, reed guard, dusted brush, mouthpiece brush and polishing cloth. It is not a bad alternative to the professional clarinets since it has both quality and affordability.

15) The LJ Hutchen Bb Clarinet

The LJ Hutchen Bb Clarinet

The LJ Hutchen Bb Clarinet is a quite different clarinet from other clarinets in the same class. It is designed with some fine materials, and allows young students to learn with less effort and without frustration that usually accompany playing any of the poorly designed clarinets.

It is a Key of Bb (B-Flat) woodwind instrument, that is, it is tuned in the key of Bb. The LJ Hutchen Bb Clarinet is one of the most commonly used brands of soprano clarinet. It is a standard clarinet type for school bands, orchestras, and jazz groups.

The LJ Hutchen Bb Clarinet has a satin finished ebonite body, making it durable and able to withstand the rigors of handling by any student player. It also has a heavy-duty nickel-plated keys, that is resistant to tarnish and it is designed for different types of hand sizes.

However, despite its superb design, it is often prone to having a bent or broken key. The LJ Hutchen Bb Clarinet has a bore diameter of 14.75mm for the production of quality resonance, sound, and intonation.

16) The Lauren LCL100 B-Flat Clarinet

This has an appealing look and a great playability and it is also very affordable. It comes with all essential starting features of a good clarinet.

It offers to students not just playability, but also a great deal of affordability and a professional styling. The Lauren LCL100 Bb Clarinet has nickel plated keys with black matte finish both for its valves, and post.

It also comes with a plush-lined interior ABS plastic case which help protects the instrument from temperature and poor handling as well as enabling easy transportation. The Lauren LCL100 Bb Clarinet is a product of the Lauren.

The Lauren LCL100 Bb Clarinet is an ideal clarinet for students and any beginner. Its case serves as a protective cover for the instrument against wear and tear and student handling and also helps the student or player move it about with ease.

17) Sky Band Approved SKY-CLEBI-001 Black Ebonite B-flat Clarinet 

Sky Band Approved SKY-CLEBI-001 Black Ebonite B-flat Clarinet

Sky Band Approved SKY-CLEBI-001 Black Ebonite B-flat Clarinet has a German styled design with a high quality and high impact ebonite body that is designed with nickel-silver keys. This gives it beautiful tonal quality and a precise milled orifice for great intonation and sound with high quality parts. 

Sky Band Approved SKY-CLEBI-001 Black Ebonite B-flat Clarinet with Case is light weighted and has such advanced features as mouthpiece corks, cork grease, and cleaning springs, pads, amongst others. Its case comes with it a shoulder strap and handle for easy carrying. The Sky Brand full Package comes with it 11 reeds, with each measuring 2.5 inches in size, cleaning cloth, lubricating oil and screw driver.

The Sky Band Approved SKY-CLEBI-001 Black Ebonite B-flat Clarinet with Case is especially designed for beginning students to intermediate clarinet players and it is approved and recommended by most school band directors and music instructors.

The Sky Band Approved SKY-CLEBI-001 Black Ebonite B-flat Clarinet with Case is designed with a high grade black ebonite body (ABS) with plated keys (nickel) that are very durable. It is designed in Key of Bb (B Flat) with adjustable thumb rest and inline trill keys.

Etude ECL-100 Clarinet has a sturdy construction with an appealing look and produces great sounds. Its body is a perfect blend of plastic with nickel keys. Its design allows for easy tone production with smooth and strong projection and, responsive playability.

It feels and sounds like a much more expensive instrument. Its features include case, mouthpiece, cap, and ligature. Its size is 10×4.6×4.6 inches and weighs 3.65 pounds. This implies that it is one of the light weighted clarinets.

The Etude ECL-100 Clarinet is built with an ABS plastic body and nickel-plated keys. Its ABS body gives it a fine look and makes it a durable musical instrument. It does not require much maintenance like the wooden clarinets.

The case helps to protect the clarinet against extreme temperature and pressure and makes it easily moveable. The etude ECL-100 clarinet is a quality and less expensive clarinet but not a very common brand of clarinet

19) Le’Var LV100 Student Clarinet

Le’Var LV100 Student Clarinet

This is a Woodwind clarinet with an excellent mechanism of 6 rings, 17 key octave and open hole pads. It also has advance features such as adjustment screws, thumb rest, ergonomic key shapes. It has sheet cork tenor keys in tune, and undercut resonators. It is designed with a single reed body material and built in key of Bb (B-Flat) and with beryllium copper tone and also has standard springs.

The Le’Var LV100 Student Clarinet produces sounds similar to typical plastic clarinets. Its features include reeds, mouthpiece and mouthpiece cap, polishing cloth, cap, neck Strap which allows for easy handling, cleaning swab, a light weight case that protects the instrument and ease mobility of the instrument, cork grease.

It weighs 2.0 Lb serving as a perfect instrument for the beginning clarinet players. With the Le’Var LV100 Student Clarinet a student can Practice musical scales at home and also play at formal recitals. It is a comfortable clarinet and suitable for different occasions.

This is an excellent clarinet that has received good reviews and ratings for its durable quality. It is both a beginner and professional school band clarinet. Its design shows a high standard craftsmanship, allowing players to blow easily, producing various wonderful tones for music lovers. It is at such recommended by music directors and instructors as a good and quality clarinet for student players.

LAGRIMA clarinet offers a great deal of pleasure to its players and listeners and has a good performance quality. Though not a very common brand like some clarinet brands, however it proofs to be a good alternative for the higher grade professional clarinets that may often be beyond a player or student’s budget. It is black with nickel-plated keys. It also has durable reed made from bakelite materials.

LAGRIMA clarinet has a dimension of 67 cm by 26.4 inches. Its bell is 8cm by 3.1 inches. Its full package contains 1 Clarinet 1 Cleaning Cloth, a pair of white glove and 1 clarinet case that is light in weight and helps to transport and carry about conveniently and some other features like mouthpiece, adjustable thumb rest which allows player find comfort while playing. It aids proficiency in performing different music styles. It is designed with the key of Bb (B-Flat).

Finding the Best Clarinet and Looking for the Best Clarinet Brands

Belonging from the woodwind instrument family, the clarinet has been named as a single-reed mouthpiece sporting the slim yet straight tube. Accentuating the cylindrical bore a bell, this musical instrument is called to create vibrant, productive, and fluid sound ready to take every music-loving person by the swamp.

Dated back in 1700, Johann Christoph Denner is the patented person for making the first clarinet. However, it is said that he added the registry keys to chalumeau and named it clarinet. Over the centuries, manufacturers have improved the tone through the incorporation of pads and key-work.

The word clarinet is originated from the word, clarinette (a French word) It is also believed to be originated from claro, the earliest form of trumpet. However, the English version of the clarinet was introduced around 1733.

Facts About Clarinet

Acing the klizmer, jazz, and marching bands, the clarinet has become an essential musical instrument for the people who are into classical and jazz music. With so much to offer, the clarinet is designed with thousands of facts hidden inside it. So, have a look at the facts, and you will enjoy the plethora it has to offer!

  • According to the music experts, the woodwind instrument was first designed by Johann Christoph Denner in the 18th century. It was said to be an extension of chalumeau, but with clarinet, the sound produced is vibrant on high as well as low registers
  • Till the mid of 18th century, the clarinet only had two fingers, but today, there are several keys designed in the cylindrical bore. These added number of keys are responsible for crisping the notes and scales
  • Clarinet comes from the family of piccolo and alto along with basset horn
  • The bass clarinet was developed by Gilles Lot and named it Basse-tube at the end of the 18th century but was instead a flop idea
  • The bass clarinet was used to add melodies to Meyerbeer’s Les Huguenots in his fifth act
  • The earliest form of clarinets was made of ebony and boxwood, but today, granadilla has taken over the material side. This material ensures the development of beautifully melodious vibrant sound
  • The smallest clarinet is a minor 7th Bb instrument and is named Ab Piccolo clarinet
  • The first clarinet was made in Germany
  • The clarinet is an extension of chalumeau, a single-reed woodwind instrument with eight finger holes
  • Symphony orchestra had chosen clarinet to be the last instrument included
  • The clarinet is made of upper joints, lower joints, mouthpiece, pads, bell, barrel, keys, rod, and ring key
  • Some people say that Jacob, son of Johann Denner is the pioneer of clarinet manufacturing
  • Boehm System has been utilized to design the holes and keys
  • Clarinets were an active part of jazz music, but the trend has reduced by the 1940s
  • The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Aerosmith, and Billy Joel have used clarinet in their music

What To Consider When Buying A Clarinet

Investing in a clarinet might sound promising and intimidating. Still, people often opt for the wrong clarinets only because it looked “pretty.” In this section, we have added the things to consider while you are on a spree to find the perfect clarinet. Have a look!

  • Material -The major materials used in the manufacturing of clarinet include wood and plastic. The plastic used in manufacturing is designed, especially for the clarinet. For instance, it needs to have the ruggedness, which is essential to make the clarinet-like sound. Clarinet made of plastic is used by the beginners. However, the wooden clarinets are made of granadilla, which is also known as mpingo wood. But if you opt for the wooden clarinet as a pro, it will require care
  • Bore –There is variation in the style and size of the bore. Smaller bore are used by the beginners, but the jazz payers opt for larger bore clarinets as it empowers them to bend down the notes
  • Plating & Keys –The clarinets are made of key-work of nickel and silver. Silver plating might look warm and attractive, but the nickel plating is more on the durable side
  • Ligatures –It impacts playability and tone, and by attaching mouthpiece, the sound can be made vibrant, deep, and full
  • Barrel –Barrels make a significant impact on the responsiveness, tone, and intonation
  • Tenon Corks –At the end of clarinet, there are cork strips which makes suitable fit while enduring life into the musical instrument

Popular Clarinet Brands

This section has all the top manufacturing brands offering clarinets. So, have a look at how they have evolved over time!

Buffet Crampon

Originating from France, the company was first launched in 1825 with a name in the manufacturing of woodwind musical instruments. Their product range includes bassoons, oboes, saxophones, flutes, and English horns in addition to the clarinets. Over the years, the company has branched out in China and Germany.

Backun

Backun Musical was first launched by Morrie Backun in 2000, and in the last century, this family-owned business has honed its name in woodwind musical instrument manufacturing. The first clarinet made by Morrie was made from cocobolo wood.

Leblanc (Musical Instrument Manufacturer)

The company famous for clarinet manufacturing, Leblanc, Inc., started its operations from Wisconsin as an independent brand. In addition to clarinets, the company manufactures trombones, trumpets, mouthpieces, and saxophones. The company embarked on its manufacturing journey in the late 19th century.

Verdict

The list above allows you to get a feel of what is out there and what to expect from any product you choose. You may decide to go for popular brands that are easily accessible or for quality brands that are not so common. But you need to understand the danger of opting for such uncommon brands.

Every instrument at one time or the other will require maintenance and repair. This may need you to replace a particular part. The instrument may become redundant because you could not find the right part to replace the broken or bad one. This could be a problem, considering that the part needing replacement maybe just a small and inexpensive part. But because of its relevance to the functionality of the clarinet, it makes you want to buy a new clarinet. And sometimes even when you find the part, it may be difficult finding a technician that is well abreast of the brand.

Also, before purchasing any clarinet, there is a need to know if what is needed is a student clarinet or an intermediate or professional clarinet. Make adequate researches and compare quality and prices before settling for a clarinet. If possible, consult music instructors and professional clarinet players and ensure to buy from recognized and accredited stores, whether online stores or instrument shops around.