How to Compare Clarinets

Clarinets are standard instruments in wind bands, marching bands and orchestras.

Buying a clarinet can be a difficult process, often leaving would-be buyers wondering how to distinguish between a quality instrument and one that's poorly made. Following a few simple guidelines can greatly aid in making a final decision.

Manufacturer

Knowing the manufacturer can often give you some idea of the quality. In general, well-known clarinet makers such as Yamaha, Buffet, Vito, Selmer and LeBlanc are more likely to produce consistently better clarinets than little-known companies, although this is by no means absolute.

Materials and Construction

Hold each clarinet in your hands and examine the construction. A clarinet with a plastic rather than wood body, or one in which the keys feel flimsy or wobbly, is of a lower quality than wooden-bodied instruments with solid, responsive keys. Avoid any instruments with keys that do not fully close their tone holes or make it difficult to do so; they have either been poorly constructed or are damaged.

Sound

Play each clarinet (or have a friend or teacher do so, if you cannot) with the same mouthpiece and reed to test the sound. This is largely subjective, the better clarinet being the one that sounds best to you. Poor-quality instruments tend to have a thinner, harsher sound, or may have individual notes that are significantly sharp or flat.

References

• "The Clarinet and Clarinet Playing;" David Pino; 1998