Spanning from jazz to classical music and beyond, there is no mistaking the undeniable importance of the clarinet.
Whether you’re buying your first instrument or stepping up to a pro horn, choosing a clarinet is a big decision. But, with help from Sweetwater’s Clarinet Rental and Buying Guide, you’ll have everything you need to make the best decision possible.
- What Are the Types of Clarinets?
- The Parts of the Clarinet
- What Materials Are Clarinets Made Of?
- Key Plating Materials
- Features to Look for on a Clarinet
- Differences Between Beginner, Intermediate, and Professional Clarinets
- Trusted Clarinet Brands at Sweetwater
- Frequently Asked Clarinet Questions
- Choose the Perfect Clarinet Today
- Clarinet Rental: Why and How to Rent a Clarinet
What Are the Types of Clarinets?
There’s a shocking number of instruments within the clarinet family. Each of them comes with a different pitch or size. However, the three most common types are the Bâ™ clarinet, the A clarinet, and the Bâ™ bass clarinet.
Most of this guide will cover tips for choosing a Bâ™ or an A clarinet (sometimes called “soprano” clarinets). That said, a lot of this information is universally applicable across all clarinet types.
Bâ™ clarinet
The Bâ™ clarinet is the most well-known member of the clarinet family. It’s a surprisingly versatile instrument that can be bright and lively or dark and mellow when needed. You’ll find Bâ™ clarinets in many settings like concert bands, jazz bands, marching bands, and symphony orchestras. Most beginning clarinetists start with this instrument.
A clarinet
The A clarinet is often considered the standard orchestral clarinet. It’s slightly longer and pitched a half step down from the traditional Bâ™ clarinet. A clarinets are used almost exclusively in orchestral or solo settings. Despite its differences, A clarinets use the same mouthpiece and reeds as the Bâ™ model.
Bass clarinet
Bass clarinets sound a whole octave below the standard Bâ™ clarinet. But, unlike regular clarinets, bass clarinets have a neck pipe and an upward-facing bell that almost give them a saxophone-like appearance. They also have closed-hole keys that cover the tone holes.
Other types of clarinets
There are several other members of the clarinet family, sometimes called harmony clarinets. Most players won’t ever need one of these instruments. That said, you’ll sometimes find these instruments in clarinet choirs, concert bands, and other ensembles.
- Eâ™ clarinet: One of the smallest clarinets available. You’ll most likely find it used for featured solos in chamber music or concert-band pieces.
- C clarinet: Similar to the Bâ™ clarinet but pitched in C. C clarinets were once a popular orchestral instrument but don’t see much use today.
- Eâ™ alto clarinet: A transition instrument between the soprano Bâ™ clarinet and the bass clarinet. This clarinet was once common in concert bands, but it was slowly phased out as the manufacturing and pitch quality of bass clarinets improved.
- Basset horn in F: Another “alto” instrument between the Bâ™ and bass clarinets. A basset horn in F is used mostly for classical orchestral works by Mozart and other composers.
- Eâ™ contra-alto clarinet: This instrument plays a perfect fifth below the Bâ™ bass clarinet. It is primarily used in school concert-band settings.
- Bâ™ contrabass clarinet: Plays a full octave below the Bâ™ bass clarinet. Some models are tall and require a stool to play. Others are wrapped into compact “paper clip” shapes. They’re mostly used in school concert-band settings.
The Parts of the Clarinet
From top to bottom, the clarinet features five main parts: the mouthpiece, the barrel, the upper joint, the lower joint, and the bell. As a matter of fact, your clarinet can break down into these parts for safe storage inside the case.
Mouthpiece
The purpose of the mouthpiece is to transfer air from the player to the instrument. To do that, a reed needs to be secured to the mouthpiece using a ligature, then the mouthpiece needs to be placed into the clarinet’s barrel.
Mouthpieces have the most significant impact on a clarinet’s sound. Their internal geometry and the materials used to make them both impact your instrument’s tone. Clarinet mouthpieces are typically made from plastic, hard rubber, or crystal.
Most clarinets include a stock mouthpiece and a ligature, but the majority of players eventually swap them out for higher-quality ones.
Barrel
The barrel’s main job is to transfer air from the mouthpiece to the clarinet’s body. Every clarinet comes with a barrel — typically, they’re made from the same material as the rest of the instrument.
Clarinet barrels take the sound generated by the mouthpiece and refine it. Like mouthpieces, they affect the clarinet’s tone, response, and projection. Some musicians prefer to swap their instrument’s barrel for an aftermarket one.
Upper joint and lower joint
Both the upper joint and the lower joint make up the main body of the clarinet. Here, you’ll find all the keys and the tone holes. Your left hand controls the keys on the upper joint, while your right hand controls the lower joint. The lower joint also features the thumb rest, which is how you support most of the clarinet’s weight.
Bell
The bell is the clarinet’s flared end that helps with projection, tone production, and tuning — especially in the lowest registers. In a way, it puts the finishing touches on your clarinet’s sound. The bell is typically made from the same material as the rest of the clarinet.
What Materials Are Clarinets Made Of?
Historically, clarinets were made from select species of wood. Today, they’re made from various substances, including plastic, wood, and hybrid materials.
Plastic
Today, most entry-level clarinets are made from plastic or plastic resin. These synthetic materials are specially engineered for both durability and sound quality, making them ideal for student clarinets.
Grenadilla
Sometimes called “African blackwood” or mpingo wood, grenadilla is a dense wood with superb resonant qualities. It’s incredibly strong, which makes it ideal for crafting musical instruments. Most intermediate and professional clarinets produced today are made from grenadilla.
Composite and hybrid materials
Wood shrinks and expands, depending on external factors like temperature and humidity. In extreme environments, it’s more likely to crack. To prevent this, some manufacturers use composite materials to make their clarinets.
The most prominent example is the Greenline series from Buffet Crampon. This material blends grenadilla wood with resin and other polycarbonate fibers. As a result, it retains all the best sonic qualities of wood without the risk of cracking.
Other clarinets circumvent atmospheric issues by leveraging a hybrid design. For example, the Yamaha YCL-450NM features an all-wood body with a resin-lined bore. This prevents moisture buildup that causes cracking and fosters mold growth.
Other types of wood
Instead of grenadilla, some manufacturers use different types of wood for their high-end clarinets. Early European manufacturers favored boxwood because of its tonal characteristics and availability. It has a bright yellow color and produces a lush sound comparable to grenadilla. However, boxwood grows very slowly and isn’t as stable, which is why it was eventually phased out.
Cocobolo is another popular wood species for clarinets and clarinet accessories. You can identify it by its brighter red color. Compared to grenadilla, cocobolo has a darker and warmer sound.
Key Plating Materials
While they’re predominantly made of nickel silver, clarinets feature different key finishes. The two most common are nickel- and silver-plated finishes. Aside from aesthetics, discerning clarinetists feel the finish affects the grip and feel.
- Nickel plating: Nickel-plated keys are more commonly found on student clarinets, though some high-end clarinets also use them. They tend to have a less slippery grip.
- Silver plating: Silver has a brighter color than nickel and a more slippery grip. Some clarinetists prefer silver because it lets them slide their fingers between keys more easily.
- Gold plating: While not nearly as common as nickel- or silver-plated keys, gold-plated keys appear on some instruments. As for the feel, they reside in a “Goldilocks zone” between grippy and slippery (pun not intended).
In our experience here at Sweetwater, key finishes don’t impact the clarinet’s sound in a meaningful way. However, they do have a subtle effect on how the instrument feels underneath your fingers.
Features to Look for on a Clarinet
Aside from the body material and the key finish, you should consider the following features when buying a clarinet.
Bore diameter
The inner bore diameter significantly impacts tone quality, intonation, and resistance. Clarinets with a smaller poly-cylindrical bore tend to have a brighter sound with more “ping” to them, like the Yamaha YCL-CSVR.
By comparison, clarinets with a wider bore, like the Yamaha YCL-SEVR, offer a larger sound and more flexibility. The larger bore lends itself well for effects like pitch bending and glissandi; the tradeoff is it may require more air to play.
Adjustable thumb rest
Everybody’s hands are different, which is why having an adjustable thumb rest is a must for any clarinet player. It facilitates finding the perfect position for your right hand so you can play comfortably without developing any physical issues.
Left-hand Eâ™ key
Sometimes called an Eâ™ lever, this handy key gives players an alternate fingering for the Eâ™ and Aâ™ notes. It’s especially useful for playing complicated passages over the break. This is an optional key that you’ll almost exclusively find on select step-up and pro clarinets.
Low F pitch correction key
The low F and E are notoriously out of tune on most clarinets. To rectify this, some high-end clarinets feature this additional key. When pressed down, it slightly raises the pitch of these two notes for more accurate tuning.
Low C extension (bass clarinets only)
Bass clarinets have a standard range down to low Eâ™. However, some intermediate and professional models feature extra keys that extend their range to low C. The extended range allows players to perform more advanced repertoire.
Differences Between Beginner, Intermediate, and Professional Clarinets
Another important question you’ll face is whether to choose a student, an intermediate, or a professional clarinet. Depending on your needs, one may be better suited for you than the others.
Beginner clarinets
Quality student clarinets are usually built with three things in mind: durability, ease of playability, and affordability. The best ones will strike a good balance between all three.
Most beginner clarinets feature a plastic or a synthetic body with nickel-plated keys. Plastics are typically sturdier than wood, lending to the student clarinet’s durability. They’re also less expensive to produce than wood clarinets are. As a result, those savings get passed down to the customer.
Beginner clarinets should also be easy to play for new students and work well in a classroom setting. Thankfully, Sweetwater carries a range of teacher-approved student clarinets that range between $450 and $1,500.
Intermediate clarinets
Intermediate clarinets are the bridge between student and professional instruments. They’re ideal for players who need a higher-quality instrument without committing to a pro-level horn. Step-up clarinets are also great for “doublers” looking for a secondary instrument.
Many step-up clarinets share common traits with student clarinets, including similar bore/body designs. However, more often than not, they’re made of wood instead of plastic and come with either silver- or nickel-plated keys. From a pricing perspective, intermediate clarinets typically range between $1,500 and $2,500.
Professional clarinets
Collegiate players, professional clarinetists, and serious amateurs alike may find their previous instruments restricting. As such, they would all benefit from procuring a pro-level clarinet that doesn’t hold back their progress.
There are two critical factors that make professional clarinets stand out:
- They feature the best-quality parts and materials possible. This includes highly select and seasoned woods for the body and bell, better springs and pads, and other delicate touches. These properties create a superb-sounding instrument with fluid action that works with you, not against you.
- Pro clarinets usually require more handcraftsmanship to make than student instruments. The manufacturer may hand apply the finish, hand cut the tone holes, and do extensive play testing before sending it off to store shelves. As a result, the quality control is much higher on these clarinets compared to others.
Soundwise, pro clarinets have a deeper, richer sound than student and intermediate instruments. Other considerations like bore design, tone hole placement, and additional keywork also enhance the intonation and functionality of a pro instrument.
There’s a pro clarinet for every type of player: you can pick from a wider selection of models with different designs and key options that best suit your personal preferences. Sweetwater carries a large selection of professional clarinets that start at approximately $2,200 and go as high as $7,000.
Bass clarinets
Bass clarinets are popular among both students and professionals. Most players will start on the standard Bâ™ clarinet and then pick up the bass clarinet as either a primary or secondary instrument.
Entry-level bass clarinets are typically made from plastic and feature nickel-plated keys, necks, and bells. Step-up and pro-level bass clarinets usually have wood or composite bodies with silver-plated components.
As you’d expect, bass clarinet prices skew higher than soprano clarinets. Sweetwater carries a selection of bass clarinets ranging between prices of $2,300 and $17,000.
Trusted Clarinet Brands at Sweetwater
There’s a clarinet for every player, and Sweetwater is proud to offer clarinets from the world’s finest clarinet makers at every price point. Here’s a sampling of the top brands we carry:
These and every other clarinet we carry all meet the quality standards that teachers and professional players expect. Sweetwater clarinets also go through our Band and Orchestra 40-point inspection process, so you can always feel comfortable with your purchase.
Of course, we’re constantly expanding our lineup — be sure to check back often to see what new products we have available.
Frequently Asked Clarinet Questions
What type of clarinet should I buy if I am a doubler, play jazz, and play in a pit orchestra?
It depends on your skill level and what type of music you play. Most players in this situation might be satisfied with an intermediate-level clarinet; it’ll provide a richer tone than a student instrument while maintaining comfortable playability.
Do I need an A clarinet if I’m playing in an orchestra?
If you primarily play in concert band, then you won’t need an A clarinet. That said, serious orchestral clarinetists will most likely need access to one. Many standard orchestral works prominently feature parts for the A clarinet rather than the Bâ™ model. Some pieces even require players to switch between the two instruments.
Are wooden clarinets harder to play?
Not necessarily. What matters most is the individual player’s abilities and preferences. But, since most plastic instruments are built with beginners in mind, some players will naturally find them more free-blowing and easier to play. That said, other players will find it easier to produce a lush, full-bodied tone with a wood clarinet.
Should I purchase a clarinet with the left-hand Eâ™ key?
The Eâ™ lever is a convenient key that provides multiple options for playing over the break. Many players will enjoy the convenience, but some choose not to use it. Since most clarinets don’t include this key, they don’t find it necessary. Choosing a clarinet with or without the left Eâ™ key comes down to personal preference.
Clarinet Rental: Why and How to Rent a Clarinet
If you’re considering acquiring a clarinet, you essentially have two options: renting or purchasing. If you or your child has already devoted a significant amount of time to mastering an instrument, then buying one would be a fantastic choice. Owning your own clarinet provides a sense of satisfaction, and you can customize it with top-quality aftermarket components that meet your specific preferences.
Conversely, if you or your child are still in the process of exploring the possibility of playing the clarinet and haven’t fully committed to it yet, renting an instrument may be a better alternative. By renting, you can experiment with a clarinet without having to make a substantial financial commitment. The Sweetwater Instrument Rental program makes renting a clarinet simple and stress-free. Read on to discover more!
Why Rent a Clarinet from Sweetwater?
Rest assured that when you rent a clarinet from Sweetwater, you’ll receive the highest quality instrument available. We work closely with music instructors across the country to supply the exact instruments they need in their classrooms. All of the clarinets we offer have received the seal of approval from these educators and come from top-notch brands like Buffet Crampon, Slemer Paris, Yamaha, Leblanc, and others.
Moreover, with Sweetwater’s 40-point inspection process for instruments, you can be confident that you’ll receive a clarinet that’s ready to play right away. In short, your student will receive a first-rate instrument that encourages learning, produces amazing sound, and will last a lifetime. The best part is that there are no hidden fees, and all of your rental payments will go towards purchasing the clarinet. Once it’s paid off, the clarinet will be yours to keep.
How to Rent a Clarinet from Sweetwater
Sweetwater offers a hassle-free approach to renting a clarinet with an affordable monthly rate. Here’s how it works: Start by visiting the Sweetwater Instrument Rental webpage. Click on the “Rent Now” button and fill out the form. Choose your state, school district, and your child’s school, along with the desired instrument – in this case, “Clarinet.” Then, choose from a pre-selected list curated by your child’s music teacher!
After that, the clarinet will be delivered straight to your doorstep within a few days. It’s an incredibly straightforward process that you can complete from the comfort of your own home, with no need to wait in long lines or visit another store!
Clarinet Rental Repairs
You may be concerned about the possibility of your clarinet malfunctioning and requiring repairs. We’ve got you covered! Sweetwater offers an Instrument Protection Plan for a small monthly fee, which allows you to swap out the clarinet whenever it needs repair. If anything goes wrong, simply inform us, and we’ll send you a replacement clarinet that same day.
All you have to do is return the damaged clarinet using the free shipping label we provide. You can then continue your rental period with the newly arrived instrument. It’s a fast and convenient process that saves you or your student from experiencing weeks of downtime, allowing for more playing and practicing time!
Clarinet Rental Returns & Exchanges
What if your child decides that the clarinet is not for them? In that case, no worries! With a Sweetwater rental, you’re not locked into any long-term commitments. You can return the instrument to us at any time – no questions asked – and your monthly payments will stop.
Alternatively, if your student is excelling with their clarinet and is ready to move up to the next level, upgrading is a breeze! You can apply all your rental payments toward another instrument at Sweetwater, making it easy to trade in that student clarinet for a more advanced model. The equity stays with you, not the instrument!
And if your student wants to experiment with a different instrument, such as a saxophone or trumpet, it’s just as simple. Sweetwater will assist you in exchanging your current rental for a completely different instrument while retaining the equity you’ve earned!
Choose the Perfect Clarinet Today
No matter what your experience is with the clarinet, our team is here to help. Sweetwater has the most highly trained salespeople in the music industry. Call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700 to find the right clarinet for you.
If you’re looking for more help finding an instrument, then peruse these other resources we’ve compiled:
- If you’re a parent shopping for your student, then check out our Parent’s Guide to Buying a Band Instrument.
- Clarinetists who also play the sax may find our Saxophone Buying Guide helpful.
- Discover what makes the Sweetwater difference and learn more about our Band and Orchestra 40-point inspection process.
