8 Things I’d Do Differently If I Were Learning Clarinet Again (After 40 Years of Experience)

By Julianna Evans

When I picked up the clarinet a in fifth grade, I had no idea it would become my lifelong career. There was no YouTube, no online tutorials, and no easy way to connect with professional musicians. I simply showed up to band each week, practiced the best I could, and hoped I was making progress.

Now, after nearly 40 years of playing, more than 25 years of teaching private clarinet lessons, performing professionally, and studying clarinet repair, I’ve had plenty of time to reflect on what I wish I’d known from the very beginning.

If you’re just starting your clarinet journey, or you’re the parent of a beginning band student, these are the eight lessons I believe will save you time, frustration, and money.

1. Start Private Lessons as Early as You Can
One of the biggest things I’d change is starting private lessons earlier. I didn’t start lessons until I was a freshman in high school.

While it’s absolutely possible to become an excellent clarinet player no matter when you begin, a qualified teacher helps you establish good habits from the very beginning. A teacher can guide your embouchure, hand position, breathing, articulation, posture, and practice routine before bad habits have a chance to develop.

If you’re looking for a teacher, ask your school band director, local professional musicians, or friends for recommendations. If you’re in the United States, the Music Teachers National Association also offers an online directory to help you locate qualified instructors.

2. Make Sure Your Clarinet Is Actually Working

One of the most frustrating experiences I had as a young player wasn’t my fault, it was my instrument.

For nearly three years, I struggled with certain notes and assumed I simply wasn’t a very good clarinet player. During a playing test, my band director suspected my clarinet had a leak.

He was right.

The E/B pad had a major leak, and after it was repaired, I jumped from fifteenth chair to fifth chair almost immediately.

That experience taught me a lesson I’ve never forgotten: sometimes the problem isn’t you—it’s the instrument. Whether you’re renting a clarinet or playing on a family instrument, have it checked by a qualified repair technician or experienced clarinet teacher. A properly adjusted instrument makes learning significantly easier.

3. Invest in Quality Equipment

Quality equipment doesn’t have to be expensive, but it should help you succeed.

If I were starting over today, I’d prioritize:

• A properly adjusted clarinet
• A quality mouthpiece
• The right reed
• A dependable ligature

Many beginners believe upgrading to an expensive clarinet is the fastest way to improve their sound. In reality, a well-matched mouthpiece and reed often make a much bigger difference.

🎵 Recommended Beginner Clarinet Equipment

Throughout this article, I’ll mention some of my favorite beginner clarinet products. I’ve collected everything I recommend in one place to make shopping easier.

➡️ Shop My Beginner Clarinet Recommendations Here:

🎵 Mouthpieces:

J&D Hite H111 Premiere: https://amzn.to/44e4Lwr

Fobes Debut Bb Clarinet Mouthpiece (my favorite): https://amzn.to/4vNyfxu

🎵 Ligature:

Bonade Regular Bb Clarinet Ligature Model: https://amzn.to/4wiw8l4

Bonade Bb Clarinet Ligature, Inverted: https://amzn.to/3SJV6vd

🎵 Vandoren Traditional Reeds:

Vandoren CR102 Bb Clarinet Traditional Reeds Strength 2; Box of 10 (this strength typically works well for beginners, however it depends on the student. The strength range of 1.5-2.5 is where you would start as a beginner in elementary school): https://amzn.to/4y9CJQA

🎵 Légère European Cut Reeds (2.5 strength): https://amzn.to/44nS6qS

🎵 Reed Case:

Vandoren VQP06 Quad Pack Reed Case(4 reeds):: https://amzn.to/4gmdoMW

D’Addario Reed Guard, Small, Black: https://amzn.to/4gQmzVW

🎵 Silk Swab: Hodge Silk Clarinet Swab – Burgundy: https://amzn.to/3SK5cMy

🎵 Other Clarinet Supplies:

OCB Ungummed Single Wide Rolling Papers (for checking leaks): https://amzn.to/4vRFqV8

Selmer cork grease: https://amzn.to/3TibKSF

La Tromba 493541 Cork and Pull Grease: https://amzn.to/4bpojBQ

Protec Clarinet/Oboe Thumb Rest Cushion: https://amzn.to/4y0NjJD

5 Pcs Soft Silicone Clarinet Thumb Rest Cushion Protector Thumb Protector 5 Colors: https://amzn.to/3SJWePt

Rubber Clarinet Thumb Rest Cushion Protector: https://amzn.to/3QGhMfg

Rico Reserve Mouthpiece Patch, Clear, 5-Pack: https://amzn.to/4p0IYln

D’Addario Reserve Mouthpiece Patch- Black, 5-Pack: https://amzn.to/3R0fc3D

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Clarinet Note Studio!

4. Don’t Overlook Your Reeds

Your reed is one of the most important parts of your setup.

If it’s too hard, the clarinet becomes difficult to play. If it’s too soft, it can limit your tone development.

After teaching clarinet for more than 25 years, I’ve found that Vandoren Traditional reeds provide excellent consistency for beginning students. Most beginners do well with strengths between 1½ and 2½, with many starting successfully on a strength 2.

Synthetic reeds, such as the Légère European Cut, are another excellent option for students who want greater durability and consistency.

No matter which reed you choose, invest in a simple reed case. Proper storage helps prevent warping and extends the life of your reeds.

5. Take Care of Your Clarinet

Regular maintenance is one of the easiest ways to protect your investment and improve your playing experience.

Always swab your clarinet after each practice session to remove moisture that can damage pads and contribute to mildew inside your case.

Personally, I recommend using a silk swab because it moves smoothly through the instrument and is less likely to become lodged around the register vent than many microfiber swabs.

Handle your mouthpiece carefully, avoid scratching the rails, and never use metal brushes inside the mouthpiece. Warm water, mild dish soap when necessary, and a soft cloth are usually all that’s needed to keep it clean.

Small maintenance habits today can prevent costly repairs tomorrow.

6. Don’t Let Cost Keep You From Learning

Learning an instrument can be expensive, and I understand that this is a real challenge for many families.

Fortunately, there are ways to make music education more accessible.

Many schools offer instrument loans for students. Community music schools, youth orchestras, churches, and nonprofit organizations may also provide scholarships or instrument lending programs.

One of the greatest advantages students have today is access to free educational content online. While I firmly believe that private lessons provide the most personalized instruction, YouTube can be an outstanding supplement between lessons or a valuable resource for families who aren’t able to afford weekly instruction. In fact, one of the reasons I created Clarinet Note Studio was to make high-quality clarinet education available to anyone with an internet connection.

7. Learn How to Practice

Practicing longer isn’t always the answer.

Practicing smarter is.

One of the most valuable techniques I learned in college is what I call Target Practice.

Instead of repeatedly playing an entire piece, isolate just one or two difficult measures. Set your metronome to a comfortable tempo and challenge yourself to play the passage perfectly ten times in a row. If you make a mistake, start your count over.

Once you’ve achieved ten perfect repetitions, increase the tempo slightly and repeat the process.

This method develops consistency, focus, confidence, and discipline far more effectively than simply repeating the entire piece from the beginning.

8. Don’t Let Other People’s Opinions Stop You

One of my mentors once told me,

“The next jerk you meet won’t be the last.”

It’s blunt advice, but it’s true. Whether you’re performing, auditioning, or simply learning a new instrument, you’ll eventually encounter criticism or negativity. Constructive criticism from teachers who genuinely want to help you improve is invaluable. Unkindness is not.

Don’t allow one person’s opinion to define your potential. Instead, seek out teachers who believe in you, friends who encourage you, and mentors who challenge you in healthy ways.

One of my favorite pieces of advice is simple:

Pour into the people who pour into you.

Those relationships will shape both your musicianship and your character.

Final Thoughts

Looking back, I don’t regret learning the clarinet—I simply wish I’d known these lessons sooner.

Music has given me lifelong friendships, unforgettable performance opportunities, a rewarding teaching career, and experiences I never could have imagined as a freshman in high school.

If you’re just beginning your own musical journey, I hope these lessons help you build a strong foundation and remind you that progress isn’t about perfection. It’s about consistency, curiosity, and enjoying the process.

I’d Love to Hear From You

What do you wish someone had told you when you first started playing the clarinet?

Leave a comment below, and if you’re looking for more free clarinet lessons, equipment reviews, and practice tips, be sure to explore the rest of the resources here on Clarinet Note Studio.