By Julianna Evans
Best Clarinets and Accessories for Beginners
If you’re just getting started on the clarinet, choosing your first instrument and accessories can be overwhelming. There are so many different products available that it can be difficult to know what you actually need and what’s worth spending your money on.
As a clarinet teacher with more than 25 years of experience, I’ve worked with many beginning clarinetists and have tried a lot of different products along the way. In this article, I’m sharing some of my favorite clarinets and accessories for beginners, along with a few things I recommend keeping in mind when you’re shopping for your first instrument.
If you’re new to the clarinet, I’ve also created a Beginner’s Guide to Clarinet video series that covers everything from assembling and caring for your instrument to producing your first sounds and developing good playing habits. You can watch the entire series on my YouTube channel, Clarinet Note Studio. I’ve also created a free Beginner’s Guide to the Clarinet ebook to go along with the videos.
Beginner Clarinets
There are a lot of beginner clarinets available on the market today, but there are a few things I recommend keeping in mind when purchasing your first instrument.
First, I recommend avoiding the $100 clarinets you’ll find on Amazon. I know it’s tempting to purchase one of these instruments because of the price, but in my experience, it’s better to invest in a reliable instrument from a reputable music store.
Music stores often offer rental programs, and many will help you if your instrument needs to be repaired. Some stores will even provide a loaner instrument while yours is being serviced. This can be especially helpful for students who need their clarinet for school band rehearsals and lessons.
Two beginner clarinets I’ve tried and really like for my students are the Yamaha YCL-255 and the Etude student clarinet.
Yamaha YCL-255
The Yamaha YCL-255 is a student clarinet with an ABS resin body. It has reliable intonation and an easy-to-play design, and I’ve had good experiences with this model.
Although purchasing a clarinet outright is always an option, I’d recommend looking into renting one through a music store if you can. This gives you the opportunity to get a reliable instrument and have access to repair services if something goes wrong.
Etude Student Clarinet
The Etude student clarinet is another model I’ve had students play, and I think it’s a good option to consider when looking for a beginner instrument.
Both of these are models I’ve had experience with and would consider for beginning clarinetists. If you’re a clarinet teacher, I’d love to hear what your favorite beginner clarinets are, so feel free to share your recommendations in the comments!
Mouthpieces
Next, let’s talk about mouthpieces.
A good mouthpiece can make a huge difference in how the clarinet plays. If you’re renting or purchasing an instrument, the stock mouthpiece that comes in the case may not be the best option. For this reason, I often recommend purchasing a separate mouthpiece rather than assuming the one included with the instrument will work well for you.
There are several mouthpieces I like for beginning clarinetists. My favorites include the Fobes Debut, Vandoren 5RV Lyre, Yamaha 4C, and Hite Premiere.
The Fobes Debut is one of my favorite options to recommend to students. The Vandoren 5RV Lyre is another mouthpiece worth considering, although I generally think of it as a good option for players who are ready to explore a different setup as they develop. The Yamaha 4C is another option to look into, and the Hite Premiere is also worth considering.
As with any piece of clarinet equipment, the best mouthpiece will depend on the individual player. If you’re not sure which one to choose, ask your private teacher or band director for advice.
I’ve also made several videos on my YouTube channel that go into more detail about these mouthpieces, so be sure to check those out if you’d like to learn more.
Ligatures
Next are ligatures.
Similar to mouthpieces, the stock ligature that comes with a beginner clarinet may not be the best option for every player. Fortunately, there are several good alternatives available that don’t require spending a lot of money.
One of my favorites is the Bonade non-inverted ligature. I think it’s a great place to start because it’s relatively inexpensive and very reliable. Personally, I prefer the Bonade non-inverted style to the inverted style.
That said, I’ve had students who sounded fantastic on the inverted ligature and weren’t as comfortable with the non-inverted version. As with mouthpieces, a lot depends on the individual player.
I also like the Rovner Versa and the regular Rovner ligatures. Personally, I don’t like the way I sound on the standard Rovner, but I’ve heard other clarinetists who sound fantastic with it. This is a good example of why I don’t think there’s one ligature that works best for everyone.
If you’re looking to try something different from the ligature that came with your instrument, these are a few options worth exploring.
I’ve also made a video specifically about clarinet ligatures, where I go into more detail about the different styles and my experiences with them.
Bonade Standard Clarinet Ligature
Bondae Inverted Clarinet Ligature
Rovner Ligature (not pictured)
Clarinet Reeds
Next, let’s talk about reeds.
In my experience, the reeds included with beginner clarinets are often the cheapest quality reeds companies can provide to get you started. I recommend purchasing your own reeds rather than relying on whatever comes in the case.
My preferred brand is Vandoren, and for beginners, I generally recommend Vandoren Traditional reeds in a strength 2 or 2.5.
The important thing to remember is that reed strength isn’t exactly the same across brands, and the best strength for you will depend on your mouthpiece and how you play. If you’re having difficulty getting a sound or feel like your reed is too hard or too soft, ask your teacher to help you figure out what works best.
Vandoren Traditional Clarinet Reeds, strength 2
Vandoren Traditional Clarinet Reeds, strength 2.5
Clarinet Reed Cases
Since clarinet reeds are an investment, I also recommend purchasing a reed case to store the reeds you’ve opened.
The worst thing you can do to a reed is open the package, play on it, and then put it back into the original plastic sleeve as your long-term storage solution. In my opinion, just about any proper reed case is better than putting a used reed back into its original packaging.
A reed case helps protect your reeds and keep them flat between playing sessions. There are several different styles available, so you don’t need to purchase anything elaborate when you’re first starting out.
Two options I recommend looking at are the D’Addario Reed Guard and the Vandoren case that holds eight reeds.
I also have another video specifically about clarinet reed cases if you’d like to learn more about the different options available.
Swabs
Next, let’s talk about swabs.
After playing the clarinet, it’s important to remove the moisture that collects inside the instrument. I prefer a silk swab over the microfiber and felt swabs that are available.
In my experience, a silk swab is less likely to get caught on the register tube inside the clarinet than some microfiber swabs. I’ve seen many a panicked clarinetist when their swab gets caught and they have to play immediately!
I’m also not a fan of the inexpensive felt swabs that come with many beginner instruments. I don’t find that they absorb as much moisture as I’d like.
For these reasons, a silk swab is my preference. One option I recommend is the Hodge silk clarinet swab.
Whatever swab you choose, make sure you learn how to use it properly. If a swab gets stuck, don’t force it through the instrument, as this can damage the clarinet.
Cork Grease
Next is cork grease.
Cork grease typically comes in the case when you rent or purchase a clarinet. If it doesn’t, you’ll definitely want to pick up a tube.
Cork grease helps the corks on the tenon joints fit together smoothly when you’re assembling your instrument. You only need a small amount when the joints become difficult to put together, so a tube will last quite a while.
Thumb Cushions
And finally, let’s talk about thumb cushions.
The thumb rest on the clarinet usually comes with a piece of cork to cushion the impact on your right thumb as it supports the instrument. Many players find this uncomfortable and prefer to add their own thumb cushion.
There are several different options available, and this is one of those things that really comes down to personal preference. My favorite is the Protec clarinet and oboe thumb rest cushion.
If you find the thumb rest uncomfortable, a cushion may be worth trying. However, make sure your clarinet is positioned correctly and ask your teacher to check your hand position if you’re experiencing discomfort.
Protec Clarinet Thumb Rest Cushion
Final Thoughts
Those are some of my favorite products and accessories for beginning clarinetists. You don’t need to purchase every accessory available when you’re first starting out, but having a reliable instrument and the right basic equipment can make your early playing experience much more enjoyable.
If you’re a parent shopping for your child’s first clarinet, I hope this guide helps you feel more confident about what to look for. And if you’re a beginning clarinetist yourself, welcome to the world of clarinet playing!
Be sure to check out the rest of my Beginner’s Guide to Clarinet video series on Clarinet Note Studio. I’ve also created a free Beginner’s Guide to the Clarinet ebook that you can use alongside the videos.
Happy practicing!
Watch the Beginner’s Guide to Clarinet playlist here
Download your free Beginner’s Guide to the Clarinet ebook here.
*Disclosure: Some links in this article are Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
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