Instrument Reviews

Clarinet is a popular instrument because of its great sound and versatility. Clarinets are represented in symphony orchestras, lots of popular music and ethnic music such as Klezmer and Polka. It is an excellent choice for beginning band students because of its light weight and great sound.

Many professional players double on clarinet, sax and flute. The clarinet is a more difficult instrument than the sax, due to the extended range (3 ½ octaves) and the embouchure (how the mouthpiece is held in the mouth) requirements. If a student is interested in paying both sax and clarinet, generally it is better to start on clarinet. It is easier to learn sax after learning clarinet, or at least starting on clarinet than the other way around.

First things first- Who is the clarinet for? Take the time to answer the following questions before making any major purchase or rental decisions

• Who is the player?
• What is the player's experience?
• What is the short term outlook for the player?
• What is the long term outlook for the player?
• Plus, is the player going to be playing outside in cold weather?? (marching band, pep band, etc.)
  The reason why this is important is that the more expensive wood instruments could crack in cold weather, while the less expensive resonate/resin instruments do not and are therefore recommended for players who will play in cold weather.
• If an instrument is bought, should quality used instruments be considered?

Now, let's get you smart on clarinets.

Clarinet Types and Sizes

The clarinet that every one is familiar with is the standard Bb clarinet. This is the most common instrument. Orchestra players from high school and up will need a slightly larger clarinet pitched in A. ( the A clarinet)for certain orchestra parts. These are provided by most high schools and some colleges to their orchestral players.

Other sizes used in classical music include the Bb Bass Clarinet (larger, looks a little like a wood tenor sax), Eb Alto Clarinet (a little smaller than the Bass, larger than the standard clarinet, looks a little like a wood alto sax) and the Eb clarinet (about half the size of a standard clarinet). These are typically owned by schools and provides to players as needed, particularly through high school.

Users and Quality Level considerations:

The 3 major professional model manufacturers are:

Buffet Crampton Clarinets (France)

Selmer/Leblanc  Clarinets(France)

Yamaha Clarinets (Japan)

Their professional models have better construction, intonation and keywork. Each manufacturer provides a line of  intermediate/step-up models and beginner models. Selmer and Leblanc were separate companies until a few years ago. Both brand names are being maintained. There are less expensive models by off brand and also instruments built by the main brands for beginner and intermediate players.

I cannot recommend off brand clarinets. The ones I have played have had significant intonation and/or mechanical problems. There are good quality beginner instruments available for around $500, perhaps less if bought used.

Can you rent a clarinet?

Yes, you can rent a clarinet. For beginning students, particularly younger ones, this is a viable option.

The advantages of clarinet rentals are that:

• The family can walk away if a student changes their mind
• Most repairs are included in the cost of the rental and do not cost extra. Repairs on an owned instrument can be very expensive, more so if the student has not learned good instrument care habits.
• Some rental arrangements include an equity buildup feature that can be used for an instrument upgrade.
• Stores that have dedicated rental stock generally have decent quality student instruments and are committed to keep them in good playing condition.

Can you buy a used Clarinet?

Yes. Used instruments are less expensive and a used instrument in good playing condition can be a tremendous value. Generally, the instrument should be tried before buying, hopefully by the buyer and a professional player and should be evaluated by a professional repairman to see what repairs are necessary right away or in the near future.

The first advantage of purchasing an inexpensive model is that it will cost no more than would be spent on a year to a year and a half of rentals. Another advantage of purchasing is that some rental arrangements are rent to buy the instrument provided. The players start with a new beginner instrument and, after the rent to buy period is over, typically 4 years, the family has grossly overpaid for a beginner instrument, with 4 years of wear, once the player is ready for a step-up instrument. On the other hand, if the instrument bought is resonite , then that could be used for marching band, and a more expensive model used otherwise to help the player develop.

The disadvantages of buying an inexpensive instrument are:

• The instrument could be junk, just not work and be from a source that will not accept a return.
• The instrument could have bad intonation, which will cause really bad habits in beginning players to compensate
• Many stores will not repair off brand horns for fear that they will fall apart during the repair process.

With a used instrument, you should make sure that the instrument's case is protective.

Best Clarinets for students

Beginner clarinets are typically made of heavy plastic (resonite) . These can have decent sound, plus the plastic instruments do not crack in cold weather, as wood clarinets can. So, even advanced players would want a resonite clarinet to use in cold weather. A wood clarinet should NEVER be played outside at a temperature much below 55.

For  beginners, I typically recommend the rental, because of the chance a player might change his or her mind. However, beginning, clarinet models acceptable for outside play can be had for $500 or less, so these are an alternative. A name brand beginner model bought used in good playing condition (no immediate repairs) could be a good alternative.

Among student models, the Leblanc Clarinet-  (Vito) L7214- is a nice buy at around $500. Yamaha and Buffet also have good student models. Selmer's student line of the 80's and 90's, the Bundy brand, has good student instruments.

Many band directors will prefer that their better middle school and high school students play the same mouthpiece model. For clarinet, the most common selections are the Vandoren B45 and the Vandoren 5RV. Reed brand and strength are an individual choice based on trial and error. Most students start out on a Rico brand, 2 strength (soft/medium soft)

Best Clarinet for Intermediate-step up/improving student

(prices are shown from the Woodwind and the Brasswind Web site)

These are made of grenadilla wood, are more expensive and include keywork that features improved playability and comfort for the player and improved sound.

There is a lot of competition here. Buffet and Leblanc have multiple models available, all made of grenadilla wood. Buffet's intermediate model is the E11 at $1,054. Leblanc/Selmer provides several models, including the Cadenza at $1,849 and the Sonata at 1,499. Yamaha has the 650 at $1345. I have tried all of these. I thought the Sonata was the best playing instrument by far, although clearly not as good as the Concerto II pro model I ultimately bought.

Other brands among this class include Noblet and Normandy, Leblanc's traditional intermediate brands. I have Noblet Alto and Bass clarinets from circa World War II that play very well.

There are other brands as well, although I do not have experience with them. Generally, you can have at least some confidence in a brand that is sold by The Woodwind and the Brasswind (see below) or a major music store that also repairs instruments.

What's interesting is that I tried a now discontinued Leblanc model, the Rapsodie, and thought it superior to all the instruments in this category. Selling price was around $1,100. There is some dealer stock remaining, particularly at Kessler Music and the Woodwind and the Brasswind. This model is well worth the money.

Another great alternative for intermediate models are used Buffet Clarinet- R-13s. The R-13 is Buffet's standard professional model. It dominates the market, with some estimates as having 80% acceptance among US professional orchestral players. I've seen quality R-13s in good playing condition sold by dealers at prices from $1,350 to $1,800, although I've seen them listed lately at prices up to $2,000. I have two high school students right now who bought used R13s and they are each delighted with their instruments. If you can find a good playing used R13 in good playing condition well under $2,000, it would be worth it.

Best Clarinets for Professional level players 

Top quality instruments played by professional and outstanding amateur players, with prices to match.

These models have better construction, intonation and keywork, particularly in their professional model horns. Selmer and Leblanc were separate companies until a few years ago. Both brand names are being maintained.

The Buffet R13 is Buffet's basic professional model and is the most popular clarinet in the world. Some estimates are that 80% of the professional orchestral clarinet players in the US are playing the R13. The base model is available by mail order with Grenadilla wood and nickel keys for $2,644 and Silver plated keys for $2,988. Buffet also has a Greenline model available at the same price which is made with a formulation of granadilla wood powder, epoxy resin and carbon fibers. It is supposed to deliver the same sound but be usable outside as impervious to the effect of cold on wood instruments.

Buffet has additional, more expensive professional R13 models available with higher quality wood and some with an extra key for Ab/Eb. Their top of the line model, the Tosca, costs $5,544 in both Grenadilla and Greenline for $5,544.

Leblanc's most popular orchestral model is the Opus II at $3,589. They have a jazz model called the Concerto II at $2,699. Their top of the line clarinet is the newly designed Legacy at $5,549.  The Concerto II is a vibrant instrument with nice keywork and is the one I use.

Yamaha and Selmer also provide high quality branded professional clarinets. I played a Selmer Series 10 clarinet from the 1970s for years.

For the classical clarinetist, the Buffet R13 should be tried. They generally play well, particularly in orchestral settings. If a player likes an R13, generally they do not need to look any more.

If the R13 doesn't satisfy, then other pro models should be played.

Used pro models in good playing condition are also frequently best buys. Used Professional Clarinets, except for R13s, generally do not hold their value particularly well. The good news for the player is that great playing pro models can be found used for considerably less than a new instrument would cost.

Note: These are my suggestions and top picks. The best source of advice is a working professional clarinet player. Most competent private teachers are happy to help their students with such decisions. If there isn't a teacher relationship, some players will advise students from a particular school as a favor to band directors who are sending them students. Band directors, also, will have opinions on the best instruments to buy.

What are the best sources for instrument purchases?

Mail order Music Stores

Some caveats:

• If you are going to mail order an instrument, you must have a right of return. The standard period is from 3 days to 2 weeks after receipt. You will still likely have to pay shipping both ways if you return an instrument.
  
  
• If your instrument needs maintenance, you will have to incur shipping cost back and forth to the vendor during the warranty period or pay for a local music store to handle it.

The Woodwind and the Brasswind is located in South Bend, IN and has an extensive inventory at prices that local music stores have trouble competing with. WWBW sets the market for popular models. A number of local music store owners have told me that wwbw DESTROYED the market by selling R13s at prices that the stores couldn't make much money at.  Actually, they couldn't make enough money at their prices earlier. After a hefty legal settlement due to their acquisition of Music123.com, they declared Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and were acquired by Guitar Center. Their prices have risen a bit, but they still set the market. If you are near there, it is worth a road trip. They are also an excellent source of instrument reviews from their buyers.

The other mail order vendors for that I have used successfully are:

Kessler Music out of Las Vegas has a great selection of clarinet and saxes. They deal in Buffet, Leblanc and Selmer. The Leblanc Concerto II clarinet that I use was bought from them and one of students is successfully using an R13 he bought from them used.

PM Woodwind out of Evanston, IL does not deal in new clarinets, but generally has an excellent selection of used clarinets, including R13s and Selmers. One of my students got her R13 from them used and is pleased with it. PM also has a great repair shop, known nationwide.

Walter Grabner from Highland Park, IL is an oustanding clarinetist, mouthpiece maker and repairman. He also sells new and vintage Buffet pro models. I have bought a mouthpiece from him and used him as a repair consultant.

Other mail order vendors with good reputations include:

Wichita Band.com Stocks new Buffet, Leblanc and Selmer models and has an excellent selection of used models.

Another option for purchasing your clarinet: Local Music Stores

These can be an excellent source if they choose to be competitive on price. They will set up instruments to the player's needs and may offer free adjustments for the first year or a service contract. Local music stores can also be a good choice of quality used instruments.

The drawback is that many of the stores that remain in business don't have a lot of inventory. This is because they can't afford to stock a lot at the prices that WWBW.com is dictating for the market. Most stores will order an instrument if a deposit is let and refund the deposit if the player does not like the instrument ordered. If using a local music store, you would want the price of your selected instrument to be at least close to that by the mail order houses. There is no reason to pay full retail price for an instrument.

Band directors and professional players will often know the best sources locally for new and used instruments.

Local music stores in the Chicago area I can recommend include:

PM Woodwind - see above

Evanston Band and Instrument - dealers in Yamaha and Buffet. They have two locations, in Evanston and a sister store in Des Plaines. Excellent repair shop.

Quinlan and FabishThey have 4 locations in the Chicago area and Northwest Indiana.  They are Selmer, Yamaha and Leblanc dealers

Walter Grabner - see above

Other Clarinet Sources

Pawn Shops

Values are possible, but the likelihood of getting a good playing pro model instrument at a good price is very low. These folks understand the market and likely will not seriously underprice an instrument due to ignorance. You should have a pro player check out the instrument for playability and also for needed repairs. If you are considering a pawn shop instrument, you would want to check the serial number against online lists of stolen instruments before buying.

Ebay

I've bought instruments on Ebay and, in fact have an article at Epinions on buying instruments on Ebay successfully. http://www.epinions.com/content_321114246788. I would add that you should get a serial number for a used instrument and check it against online stolen instrument lists. You want to buy a name brand instrument from a seller with at least 99.5% feedback and with a right of return. I would not buy any new instrument of a brand not listed above on Ebay under any circumstances. You are not likely to get a good playing new clarinet for under $300.

Here is what I looked at…..

All the aforementioned web sites: The Woodwind and the Brasswind, Kessler Music, PM Woodwind, Wichita band, Walter Grabner’s Clarinet Express
Plus the following information sites, all of which I can recommend.: Sherman Friedland’s Clarinet Corner, Clarinet Fingering Chart, Saxshed.com (also has great clarinet information), Conn-Selmer.com has fingering charts; nice resources in their Keynotes section
Clarinet review links on Viewpoints, with price comparisons Buffet E-11 intermediate clarinet, Leblanc Concerto II Professional clarinet