How to Choose a Student Clarinet: A Parent’s Guide

Choosing your child’s first clarinet can be confusing. There are many brands and models available, prices vary considerably, and specifications don’t always explain which instrument will actually make learning easier.

A good student clarinet should be comfortable to hold, easy to produce a sound on, reliable and capable of playing well in tune. The aim isn’t simply to find the cheapest clarinet. It is to give the beginner an instrument that helps rather than hinders their progress.

At Tempest Music, we have been helping Western Australian families choose musical instruments since 1979. Here are the things we believe parents should consider when choosing a student clarinet.

Choose Your Clarinet Dealer Before You Choose Your Clarinet

Parents often begin by searching for a particular brand. We think there is a better place to start: choose a specialist dealer you can trust to guide you.

A good dealer should be able to explain the differences between instruments, establish a sensible budget and let the student compare suitable clarinets rather than simply selling whichever model happens to be available.

At Tempest Music, we offer student clarinets from Backun, Jupiter, Yamaha and Buffet Crampon, giving families the opportunity to compare different instruments side by side.

Don’t Simply Choose the Cheapest Clarinet

It is understandable for parents to be cautious about spending too much when a child has only just started learning.

However, a poorly made clarinet can be difficult to play, difficult to keep in adjustment and frustrating for a beginner. The student may think they are doing something wrong when the instrument itself is contributing to the problem.

A well-made student clarinet should provide a reliable foundation on which the player can develop their embouchure, breath control, fingering, intonation and sound.

You don’t need to buy the most expensive instrument. Set a sensible budget and compare the best clarinets available within it.

Comfort Is Particularly Important for Smaller Hands

Student clarinets may look very similar, but small differences in keywork and tone-hole position can make a considerable difference to a young player’s comfort.

This is one reason we particularly like the design of the Jupiter JCL700N. Its ergonomically raised left-hand third-finger tone hole allows the hand to sit in a more natural position, reducing the stretch required to cover the tone hole.

For younger players or students with smaller hands, this can make the clarinet noticeably more comfortable and easier to manage.

When comparing student clarinets, we therefore look at the individual child, not simply their age or the name on the instrument.

Intonation Matters for Beginners Too

Playing in tune is something every clarinet player needs to develop, but beginners are still learning how their embouchure and breath support affect pitch.

The barrel length of a clarinet can influence its overall pitch. For example, the Jupiter JCL700N is supplied with a 64mm barrel, which can help beginners play more easily in tune while their embouchure and breath support are still developing.

This is a good example of why specifications should be explained rather than simply listed. A feature is useful when it provides a genuine benefit to the player.

ABS or Wooden Clarinet for a Beginner?

Most first clarinets use an ABS resin body rather than wood, and there are good reasons for this.

ABS is durable and less sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity. That makes it particularly practical for an instrument travelling between home, school, lessons and rehearsals.

As players progress, wooden clarinets become an important option because of their different tonal and playing characteristics. However, a quality ABS clarinet can be an excellent choice for a beginner.

Which Student Clarinet Brands Should I Consider?

There is no need to decide on a brand before you start.

At Tempest Music, our student clarinet range includes instruments from Backun, Jupiter, Yamaha and Buffet Crampon. Each manufacturer approaches student clarinet design somewhat differently.

The Backun Alpha, for example, has impressed us greatly as a student clarinet. Jupiter also offers some particularly thoughtful beginner-friendly design features.

Yamaha and Buffet Crampon are well-established names that many parents recognise. However, the most familiar brand isn’t necessarily the best choice for every child.

This is why we recommend comparing suitable clarinets rather than deciding on a brand before the student has had an opportunity to try them.

Backun vs Yamaha vs Jupiter: Which Should I Consider?

This is where being able to compare clarinets becomes particularly valuable.

From our experience, we have been especially impressed by the Backun Alpha for its sound, intonation, response and keywork. It is a student clarinet we believe deserves serious consideration.

The Jupiter JCL700N is another excellent option. We particularly like its beginner-friendly 64mm barrel and ergonomic left-hand design, especially for younger players and smaller hands.

Yamaha remains a reliable and familiar student clarinet, but we don’t believe parents should choose it automatically simply because it is the brand they recognise.

Our preference is to put suitable instruments in front of the player and allow the differences to be experienced rather than making the decision from advertising, specifications or brand recognition alone.

Should I Buy a New or Second-Hand Student Clarinet?

A good second-hand clarinet can sometimes be suitable, but condition is extremely important.

Clarinet pads, corks, springs and keywork all need to function correctly. An instrument may look perfectly good externally while requiring substantial servicing before it plays properly.

For a parent unfamiliar with clarinets, this can make buying privately difficult.

Buying a new instrument from a specialist dealer provides greater certainty about its condition, setup, warranty and access to ongoing servicing.

Should I Rent or Buy a Student Clarinet?

Rental can be a very good option when a child is beginning and the family isn’t yet ready to purchase outright.

At Tempest Music, families can rent a brand-new student instrument with the option to purchase it after six months and have the rent already paid credited towards the purchase.

Importantly, renting doesn’t mean you have to accept whichever clarinet happens to be available. We can help you choose a suitable instrument first and then discuss the most appropriate purchase or rental option.

Should I Buy a Student Clarinet Online?

Online research is useful for comparing prices and learning about different models, but a clarinet cannot be completely assessed from its specifications.

Comfort, response, keywork and sound are experienced by the player.

Buying from a specialist store also gives you somewhere to return if the clarinet needs adjustment, servicing or advice as the student develops.

At Tempest Music, the actual instrument selected and play-tested is the instrument you take home.

How Much Should I Spend on a Student Clarinet?

There isn’t one correct budget for every family.

Rather than starting with a brand, tell us how much you are comfortable spending. We can then identify suitable student clarinets within that price range.

This prevents the selection process from becoming overwhelming and means the student is comparing instruments the family can realistically consider.

Let the Student Be Part of the Decision

Even beginners can notice differences between clarinets.

One may be easier to produce a sound on. Another may feel more comfortable in the hands. The keywork may feel different, or the player may simply prefer the sound they produce on one instrument.

Every musician is searching for their own sound, and that process begins much earlier than many people realise.

Through our guided selection process, you may be surprised how clear it becomes which clarinet is the best fit.

Buying a Student Clarinet in Perth

Tempest Music has been helping Western Australian musicians choose instruments since 1979.

At our Como showroom, students and parents can compare student clarinets from leading brands including Backun, Jupiter, Yamaha and Buffet Crampon, discuss budget and rental options, and receive experienced guidance throughout the selection process.

You don’t need to arrive knowing which clarinet to buy.

Start with your child, your budget and an open mind. We’ll help you with the rest.