Ms. Danielle’s Music Studio

Should I Rent or Buy a Beginner Clarinet?

Tuesday, October 13, 2020 by Danielle Nadkarni | Uncategorized

I’ve been teaching clarinet for almost 15 years now, and the most frequent question I get is, should I rent or buy?  And what should I buy?  The answer is that it depends.  If you think your child (or you, if you’re starting as an adult) will play very short-term—less than a year—then renting probably makes sense.  For anything longer-term though, I would buy.

Isn’t Rent-to-Own More Convenient?

Yes, it’s a quick and easy way to get started, but it’s not cost effective for long.  A new clarinet will be rented to you at about $25/month.  If your child starts in 4th grade and plays in the elementary band for a few years, you’ve paid $900 for that clarinet (that you’ll be lucky to GIVE away)...and the quality stinks!  I’ve watched so many students struggle through lessons with keys that don’t align properly or stick, leaking pads (these are what create a tight seal so air doesn’t escape), and misshapen mouthpieces.  It creates a lot of frustration and often, quitting the instrument.  

What brand is the best for beginner clarinets?

That’s an easy one... none of them!  Like I said, the quality of the clarinets at the beginner band level is simply not worth your time or money.  Your child should start out with a good quality,  intermediate-level instrument. I’ll cover those instrument choices below. That being said, most would agree that the best quality brands are Buffet, Yamaha and Backun.

What features should I look for in a clarinet?

Clarinets aren’t all that complicated, at least not compared to a piano with 12,000 moving parts!  The better ones are made with aged grenadilla wood, silver keys, have ergonomic key work and play well in tune.

  • Intermediate and professional clarinets are always made of wood, and there is a big difference in the sound compared to a beginner plastic clarinet.  Most wooden clarinets are made from grenadilla wood, although cocobola can be used as well.
  • Silver-plated keys are ideal.  These hold up better than nickel-plated keys...and if you have a nickel allergy like me, they're a must!    
  • An adjustable thumbrest is not a requirement, but it’s really nice to have.  Kids’ hands (and adults!) come in all shapes and sizes, and this can greatly increase their playing comfort.

Which model is right for my child?

Now that we’ve established that we’re looking for an intermediate level model or better, let’s get down to specifics.  The brands and models I would recommend are:

  • Backun Beta - My pick for best overall. Backun is based in Vancouver, and they are the new kid on the block of clarinet manufacturers.  They did an amazing redesign of the clarinet from scratch.  You won’t find a better quality clarinet than this brand, and the keywork feels amazingly ergonomic.  I wish this brand had been around when I was a kid!  Silver or nickel-plated keys, and it has an adjustable thumb rest.  Buy at WoodwindBrasswind for $2,116.00 (financing available).  https://www.wwbw.com/Backun-Beta-Bb-Clarinet-K35738.wwbw
  • Buffet Crampon E12 -  Buffet Crampon is a very well-respected manufacturer out of France.  A nice extra feature with this model is that the mouthpiece was specifically designed to go with the clarinet by a well-known mouthpiece maker.  Saves you from having to shop for an aftermarket mouthpiece, which is nice!  It has silver-plated keys and an adjustable thumb rest.  Buy at WoodwindBrasswind for $2,120.00. (financing available).  https://www.wwbw.com/Buffet-Crampon-E12-France-Intermediate-Bb-Clarinet-H93033.wwbw
  • Yamaha YCL-450 - Easy to blow and with bright sound, this is appealing to kids.  The 450 offers silver or nickel- plated keys but does not have an adjustable thumb rest.  It is the most wallet-friendly of the bunch.  The silver-plated version is $1,665.99 at WoodwindBrasswind (financing available).  https://www.wwbw.com/Yamaha-YCL-450-Series-Intermediate-Clarinet-483872.wwbw?rNtt=Yamaha%20YCL-450&index=1
  • Yamaha YCL 450NM Duet+ - I’m including the NM Duet+ here because, even though it lacks both silver-plated keys and an adjustable thumb rest, it has a unique feature.  Yamaha injects resin into the upper wood joint for superior resistance against cracking, so it would be a good choice for outdoor playing, like marching band.  Buy at WoodwindBrasswind for $1,549.99 (financing available).  https://www.wwbw.com/Yamaha-YCL-450NM-Duet-Intermediate-Clarinet-H93179-H93179000000000.wwbw?rNtt=Yamaha%20YCL-450&index=2

What Else Do I Need?

Yes, there are a few more accessories that you’ll need to get started.  Some are must-haves while others are optional but will make life easier:

 That a wrap!  I hope you’ve found this article helpful :)

-Danielle Nadkarni