Originally published to jennyclarinet.com

Congratulations! Your son or daughter has decided to join a school or community band program and has chosen to play the clarinet! Clarinets are obviously the best instrument (although I am a little biased), but it can be overwhelming to purchase a clarinet if you are a first-time band parent. With reeds, mouthpieces, ligatures, mouthpiece caps, swabs, and cork grease, the clarinet has more than its fair share of equipment, which is why I’m here to help.

Your main concern is probably the cost of a clarinet, which can range anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Band is an investment, and your goal is to find the best clarinet that fits your budget. It is very important to remember that having a poor-quality clarinet may prevent your child from playing their best and may cause them to struggle unnecessarily as they learn the instrument. This can cause them to become frustrated and quit band simply because of a clarinet which doesn’t properly play. Starting out with a quality clarinet will ensure that they have the proper instrument to succeed in their musical endeavors. Keep in mind that quality does not necessarily equal costly when discussing student model clarinets. There are several top-notch student model clarinets, and I’m here to help you find the best fit for you and your new musician. In a perfect world, your child would begin on a professional model instrument which would last all the way to their solo debut at Carnegie Hall, but in reality it is impossible to know if they will continue band until the end of middle school (or maybe not even past the first year). Which brings me to my next point…

Rent or buy? 

If you are unsure that your child will continue band past the first year, renting might be a good option for you. Instrument rentals are more common among pricier instruments such as tuba and bassoon because student model clarinets are usually relatively inexpensive. If you are still interested in renting, price shop at your local music stores and figure out the rental cost of a clarinet for one year. Some band programs also offer rental agreements, so be sure to check with the band director to see if this is an option. Carefully read rental contracts and ask if rentals include regular clarinet maintenance, adjustment, or repairs. Some rental programs allow you to use your rental payments towards the cost of purchasing the instrument if you later decide to buy it. If the price seems too high, remember that you can always purchase a clarinet and resell it if and when your child no longer wants to be in band.

If you decide to buy a clarinet, the most important thing is to buy from a reputable dealer. Ask your band director for a list of reputable dealers in the area. There are many reputable dealers online (some of which offer trial programs), but when buying your first clarinet, I always suggest buying in person, especially if you are a new band parent. Visit all of your local music stores and inquire about student or beginner model clarinets and their prices. Ask the music stores if any of their staff specialize in clarinet so you can get their opinions on their available models for purchase. Don’t be rushed into making a decision – if you are unsure, wait until you can read reviews of the different models or ask your band director for their opinion.

New or used? 

If you decide to buy a clarinet, this will probably be the first question you get asked. Used clarinets are usually cheaper, but there is always the risk of repairs and adjustments to be made, which adds cost to the final price. If new clarinets are out of your price range, have your band director or a clarinet specialist at the music store test the clarinet to confirm that it is in good playing condition before purchasing.

Wood or plastic? 

You’re better off with plastic for a few reasons. Producing plastic clarinets is cheaper, thus the cost is lower. Wooden clarinets usually have a better sound, but they are more expensive and usually unnecessary for beginners. If you have the budget and would like to purchase a wooden clarinet, be aware that upkeep is more involved (as a result, this is not ideal for students who are just learning how to take care of an instrument). Wooden clarinets are prone to cracking or swelling with temperature changes, so you can’t leave it in hot cars, play outside during winter, or expose it to other environmental factors. I advise students to begin with a plastic clarinet because if they continue with band, they can use their plastic clarinet during marching season in high school. (Since wooden clarinets react strongly to temperature changes, I discourage students from marching with a wooden clarinet.)

What else do I need to buy? 

Check to make sure your clarinet comes with five parts (mouthpiece, barrel, upper joint, lower joint, bell). If it doesn’t have a mouthpiece cap (most clarinets come with one), request a plastic one, which are less likely to chip reeds or mouthpieces when you place them on the mouthpiece. You will also need a swab (preferably one without an exposed metal weight, which can scratch the inside of a clarinet), cork grease, reeds, and a reed case.

What about reeds? 

I have always played and preferred Vandoren reeds because they are easy to play, have a great sound, and are very high-quality reeds. Vandoren also makes a student line of reeds called Juno, which are tailored for young clarinet students. Most clarinetists begin on a strength 2 or 2.5 reed (strengths go up to 5+ and the numbers indicate resistance while blowing into the mouthpiece). Even within one brand, there are a variety of cuts (or “models”) of reeds – Vandoren has the Traditional (often called “blue box”), V12, 56 Rue Lepic, and V21, and none are better or worse than the others – it’s entirely personal preference. Instead of buying a whole box, I suggest buying reeds individually so you can try different brands and cuts without committing to an entire box. Pick up a Vandoren Reed Mix Card. When your child becomes more familiar with the clarinet, have them try a variety of reeds to see what they like best. The reeds will come in a plastic sleeve, but I suggest buying a reed case which holds multiple reeds. Vandoren makes a rather inexpensive reed case that holds 8 reeds and Protec makes inexpensive reed cases which can hold up to 12 reeds.

Do I need a special mouthpiece? 

"Mouthpieces can make a significant difference. If your budget will allow, it is always best to get a high quality mouthpiece. I recommend Vandoren mouthpieces, which are preferred by both students and professionals worldwide. These mouthpieces are made of the highest quality hard rubber material, which produces the best resonance and ease of playing. Suggestions include Vandoren M13 Lyre and 5RV Lyre. These mouthpieces can add value to your clarinet if you and your child decide to sell the instrument. Many student clarinets already include a stock mouthpiece with the instrument, and these are made of plastic, which yield inferior results. Regardless of what mouthpiece your child chooses, remind them that the mouthpiece is very delicate and fragile and to be careful not to drop or break this valuable piece of equipment."

Let’s talk ligatures. 

If your clarinet comes with a mouthpiece, chances are it will also come with a ligature (the piece that holds the reed on the mouthpiece). Much like mouthpieces, ligatures can make a difference down the road, but it is unnecessary to purchase a particular ligature for a beginning clarinetist without any prior ligature comparisons. Any metal ligature will be fine now (although they can also come in leather, string, or any combination of these materials). Vandoren makes an excellent, lightweight, and inexpensive ligature called the M|O. I would suggest the black M|O or the pewter M|O.

Ligatures are either “traditional” or “inverted.” Traditional clarinet ligatures have the screws on the same side of the mouthpiece as the reed (front of the mouthpiece), and inverted ligatures have the screws on the opposite side (back of the mouthpiece). The screws of the ligatures will always go on the right side of the mouthpiece, whether they are traditional or inverted.

Popular beginner model clarinets: Buffet Crampon Protege, Buffet Crampon B12 (my top picks), Yamaha YCL255, Selmer 1400B, Bundy BCL-300, Conn-Selmer Prelude CL711. Best reputable brands for a budget: Bundy, Vito, Jupiter.

On a tighter budget? 

Look at thrift stores, pawn shops, and garage sales for used clarinets. The prices are often much cheaper, but be aware that these will usually need repairs or adjustments to work properly. That being said, you might be able to lower repair costs by taking the clarinet to an apprentice at a repair shop or music store or finding a music student at a local university who knows clarinet repairs. I got the plastic clarinet I used for marching band at a Goodwill for $10, and I was lucky that it didn’t need any repairs! Another option is to contact band parents of older children or post signs in high schools band rooms to see if anyone is selling student model clarinets as they purchase intermediate and professional model instruments. Plan in advance – if band will be in your child’s future in the next few years, keep your eyes and ears open for information.

Should I buy a clarinet on Ebay? 

Probably not. You get what you pay for, and even if the price is right, you’ll usually spend more money on the repairs and shipping than the actual clarinet. Same goes for Walmart – you might think it’s a good idea when you see the price, but you’ll ultimately spend more than the cost of the clarinet on repairs.

Take care of your new clarinet:

• Have you child swab the clarinet every single time after they play it, or every 30 minutes if they are playing for an extended amount of time.
• Make sure your child always puts the mouthpiece cap on the mouthpiece when they are not playing to avoid chipping a reed or breaking the mouthpiece.
• Remind your child to never place their clarinet or mouthpiece on a music stand. If someone bumps into the stand, the clarinet will fall and break (this is how I broke my first mouthpiece!)
• Be sure your child treats their clarinet like a clarinet. When I teach at middle schools, I see young clarinetists use their clarinets as a baton, pretend it’s a flute, shoot it like guns, and all kinds of other ridiculous games. This is a surefire way to break a clarinet.
• Have your child let you know when they are running low on reeds. Never wait until you reach zero. Remind your child to be very careful with reeds, but be prepared to go through a lot of chipped reeds the first few months. Reed tip: Always put reeds back in their case after each use. A loose reed is a chipped reed waiting to happen. Also tell your child to remove lipstick or lip gloss before playing clarinet – both shorten a reed’s life.
• Take your instrument regularly for repairs. Have your child let you know when it’s not playing properly so it can be repaired right away. Take in the clarinet during winter break for a check-up to make sure it’s working at its optimum playing level.
• Keep your pets away from the clarinet! Always make sure your child puts the clarinet back in its case when they are not playing it. Believe it or not, I’ve had a few students whose dogs ate their mouthpieces or chewed on the clarinet (so when they come in for lessons, I guess the dog really did eat their “homework”!).

I hope that this information helps as you begin your journey into the wonderful world of band parenting and clarineting! There will be many squeaks and chipped reeds along the way, so don’t get frustrated. Band is a wonderful opportunity to learn music, meet lifelong friends, and create memories that your child will remember for a lifetime!

Dr. Jenny Maclay enjoys a diverse career as a clarinet soloist, recitalist, orchestral player, chamber musician, pedagogue, and blogger. In 2021, she was the Visiting Instructor of Clarinet at Brandon University (Canada) and was Visiting Lecturer of Clarinet at Iowa State University in 2020. Online, she is known as Jenny Clarinet, where she created her eponymous popular blog, and she is also the Social Media Coordinator for the International Clarinet Association.

In addition to teaching and performing, Jenny is also interested in travelling and researching clarinet cultures around the world. To date, she has visited and performed in over 30 countries, and she enjoys meeting other clarinetists during her travels. Recently, she was selected by the Council of Faroese Artists as an artist-in-residence in Tjørnuvík, Faroe Islands, where she performed and promoted clarinet compositions by Faroese composers. She has also been named an Artist-in-Residence Niederösterreich, and she will study the clarinet compositions of Ernst Krenek and his wife Gladys Nordenstrom during her residency in Austria in 2022. 

Jenny was the recipient of the 2015-2016 Harriet Hale Woolley Award for musical study in Paris, where she was an artist-in-residence at the Fondation des Etats-Unis. She received her Master of Musique, interprétation, et patrimoine at the Versailles Conservatoire in the class of Philippe Cuper and her Doctorat en musique interprétation at the Université de Montréal in the class of André Moisan. She has achieved a number of other notable musical honors, including selection as a prizewinner, finalist, and semi-finalist for such international competitions as Concerts Artists Guild and Astral Artists, and other recent prizes include 1st prize at the 2017 Clé d’Or international music competition and highest-ranking clarinetist at the 2016 Tunbridge Wells International Young Artist Competition in England. Most recently, Jenny performed a virtual recital at the International Clarinet Association’s ClarinetFest 2021, featuring a transcription of Brahms’ Zwei Gesänge, Op. 91 for clarinet, theremin, and piano. Other recent performances include a virtual recital for the U.S. Embassy France and a collaborative duo recital with Sauro Berti, solo bass clarinetist of Teatro dell’Opera di Roma at ClarinetFest 2019. 

Jenny has performed with orchestras throughout Europe and North America. In 2017, she toured with the Jeune Philharmonie franco-allemande et hongroise, an international orchestra comprised of musicians from over 20 different countries. During past seasons, she has performed with several orchestras, including the Ensemble Orchestral Les Voyages Extraordinaires, Écoute Ensemble de Musique Contemporaine, Orchestre d’Harmonie de Levallois, Florida Orchestra, Valdosta Symphony, and Ocala Symphony. As a chamber musician, she has performed several masterworks in prestigious venues, including the Mozart clarinet quintet at La Seine Musicale and the Messiaen Quatuor pour la fin du temps at the Fondation des Etats-Unis in Paris.

Jenny received her Bachelor of Music Degree in Clarinet Performance from the University of Florida, where she graduated summa cum laude and was a Fulbright Scholar alternate. Her teachers include Philippe Cuper, Karl Leister, André Moisan, Mitchell Estrin, Todd Waldecker, John Cooper, and Donald Dowdy. She was the youngest presenter of refereed research at the 2014 International Clarinet Association ClarinetFest. Recently, Jenny has been an invited artist and presented lectures on musicpreneurship at Louisiana State University, University of Memphis, University of Iowa, Loyola University, Millikin University, Middle Tennessee State University, University of Alabama Birmingham, University of Central Florida, University of South Florida, University of Southern Mississippi, and has been a featured soloist at the keynote ceremony of the Alabama Music Educators Association Conference.

Jenny Clarinet has been featured in The Clarinet and the Clarineat podcast and has been named one of Feedspot’s “Top 20 Clarinet Blogs, Websites, and Influencers to Follow.” To date, she has published over 300 articles which have been read in over 177 countries and translated into multiple languages, and she has contributed articles which have been featured in The Clarinet, Vandoren WAVE newsletter, Deutsche Klarinetten-Gesellschaft, Rodriguez Musical Services blog, and Lisa’s Clarinet Shop blog. Her first book, an examination of unaccompanied clarinet repertoire, is currently in publication. Jenny Maclay performs exclusively on Vandoren reeds, mouthpieces, and ligatures.

In addition to clarinet, Jenny is also learning to play the theremin, an early electronic instrument and the only one played without physical contact. After writing this blog post, Jenny became interested in the theremin and has collaborated and performed with theremin virtuosi Grégoire Blanc and Charlie Draper. You can listen to some of these collaborations here and here.

When she’s not onstage or in a practice room, Jenny enjoys travelling and has visited over 30 countries. During her travels, she likes to befriend the local cats and enjoys reading books at kitschy cafés. Her caffeination of choice is espresso or Earl Grey tea.

Subscribe to the We Are Vandoren E-newsletter (WAVE) to receive 4 weekly articles for Performers, Students, and Educators