Why do I need an A clarinet if I have a Bb?

The A clarinet sounds a semitone lower than Bb. It's used in orchestra for parts in sharp keys (A, E, D, B major etc.), where a Bb would require awkward fingerings with many sharps. It also has a warmer, 'darker' tone. Mozart wrote his famous clarinet concerto for A!

Does every clarinettist need an A?

No! Only orchestral clarinettists. For jazz, concert band, learning — Bb is enough. But a professional orchestral clarinettist MUST have both Bb and A. Orchestral parts constantly switch between 'in A' and 'in Bb'.

How much does an A clarinet cost?

Intermediate: $2000–3000 (Buffet E13 A ~$2200, Yamaha YCL-450 A ~$1500). Professional: $3000–8000+ (Buffet R13 A ~$3200, RC A ~$3500, Yamaha CSGIII A ~$3500, Selmer Privilege A ~$4000, Buffet Tosca A ~$5500).

Same mouthpiece for A and Bb?

Usually YES! Most clarinettists use the same mouthpiece and ligature for both. The barrel is different — A has a longer barrel. Reeds are the same (Bb reeds fit). Some pros use different mouthpieces for different tonal character, but it's not required.

A Clarinet — Buy at SoundsGood

A clarinet — Buffet Crampon, Yamaha, Selmer. The Bb clarinet's orchestral partner. Warmer, "darker" tone. Sounds a semitone lower than Bb. For sharp keys in orchestral repertoire. Mozart, Brahms, Strauss, Tchaikovsky. Every professional orchestral clarinettist must have an A! SoundsGood — A clarinets in Ukraine.

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🎯Orchestral standard
Bb + A = full set

🎵 What Is an A Clarinet

📐 The instrument

A clarinet — a transposing woodwind in the key of A. Sounds a minor third lower than written (a semitone lower than Bb). Slightly longer than Bb. Construction and fingerings identical to Bb — only length and key differ.

📐 Tone & character

Warmer, "darker," "deeper" than Bb. Less bright, more "velvety." The difference is subtle, but orchestral clarinettists value this warmth. The chalumeau register = especially deep and expressive on A. "Romantic" character.

📐 Why it's needed

Key convenience! When an orchestral part is in sharp keys (A, E, D, B major etc.), the A clarinet plays in an easier key. Bb would require awkward cross-fingerings. Example: piece in A major → A clarinet plays in C major (no sharps!), while Bb would play in B major (5 sharps!).

⚠️ Not for beginners!

A clarinet = specialised orchestral instrument. Master Bb first! Buy A when you start playing in orchestra and encounter parts "in A." Usually after 4–6+ years on Bb.

🔄 A vs Bb Clarinet

📐 Technical differences

Key: A sounds a semitone lower. Length: A slightly longer (~2 cm). Barrel: longer on A. Fingerings: identical! Same Boehm system. Mouthpiece: usually the same. Reeds: the same (Bb reeds fit).

📐 Tonal differences

Bb: brighter, more "open," projecting. Standard for solo, jazz, concert band. A: warmer, "darker," "more romantic." Better for sharp keys. Many clarinettists say: "A = warm, Bb = bright." The difference is subtle!

📐 When to use which

Orchestra: the part says "in Bb" or "in A" — play the corresponding one! Some pieces: switch Bb↔A within one work. Mozart concerto: A. Brahms: often A. Chamber: depends on the part.

📐 What to buy first

Always Bb first! Bb = universal, needed for everything. A = additional, only for orchestra. Order: 1) student Bb → 2) professional Bb → 3) professional A. Ideally: Bb and A of the same brand/model (identical feel).

🎼 Orchestral Repertoire for A Clarinet

📐 Key works

Mozart: Clarinet Concerto A, K.622 ⭐ — the most famous! Quintet K.581. Brahms: Quintet op.115 ⭐, Sonatas op.120. Trio op.114. Tchaikovsky: symphonies (often in A). Strauss: "Till Eulenspiegel," "Don Juan."

📐 Orchestral excerpts

Beethoven: symphonies (many parts in A). Ravel: "Boléro" (solo!), "Daphnis et Chloé." Prokofiev: symphonies, "Peter and the Wolf." Mahler: symphonies. Debussy. Orchestral auditions always include A excerpts!

📐 Chamber music

Mozart Quintet K.581 ⭐: with string quartet. Brahms Quintet op.115 ⭐: with string quartet. Brahms Sonatas op.120: with piano. Weber: chamber works. Much chamber music is written specifically for A!

📈 Intermediate Models

📐 Yamaha YCL-450 A

~$1300–1600. Wood (grenadilla). Student/intermediate. Most affordable A! Decent intonation. For first acquaintance with A clarinet.

📐 Buffet Crampon E13 A

~$2000–2500. Wood. Improved model. Closer to professional. Good tone and intonation.

📐 Yamaha YCL-650 A

~$2000–2500. Wood. Intermediate/semi-professional. Yamaha quality. Superb intonation.

🏆 Professional Models

📐 Buffet Crampon R13 A ⭐

~$3000–3800. Wood. The standard! Like Bb R13 — the world's most popular professional A. Warmer tone, superb intonation. Ideal: R13 Bb + R13 A = matching feel.

📐 Buffet Crampon RC A ⭐

~$3200–4000. Wood. More centred tone. Popular with European orchestral players. RC Bb + RC A = great pair.

📐 Buffet Crampon Tosca A ⭐

~$5000–6500. Wood + Green LinE. Top Buffet! Best intonation, crack-resistant. Tosca Bb + Tosca A = premium set.

📐 Buffet Crampon Divine A

~$6500–8500. Newest top model. Absolute premium.

📐 Yamaha YCL-CSGIII A ⭐

~$3200–4000. Wood. Custom series. Japanese alternative to Buffet. Stable intonation, even tone. CSGIII Bb + CSGIII A = popular Japanese pair.

📐 Yamaha YCL-SEVR A

~$4500–6000. Wood. Top Yamaha. For the most demanding. Handmade.

📐 Selmer Privilege A

~$3500–4500. Wood. French premium. Warmer "French" tone.

📐 Selmer Recital A

~$4500–6000. Wood. Top Selmer. For soloists.

🏷️ Brands

📐 Buffet Crampon ⭐

The #1 standard! R13 A ⭐ (~$3200): most popular. RC A (~$3500): Europe. Tosca A ⭐ (~$5500): premium. Divine A (~$7000): top. Most orchestral clarinettists play Buffet.

📐 Yamaha ⭐

Japanese quality! YCL-450 A (~$1500): intermediate. CSGIII A ⭐ (~$3500): professional. SEVR A (~$5000): top. Stable intonation, reliability.

📐 Selmer (Paris)

French premium. Privilege A (~$4000). Recital A (~$5000). Warmer "French" character.

📐 Backun

Canadian. Lumière A, Protégé A. Custom approach. For those seeking a unique tone. From ~$4000.

📊 Comparison

Model	Level	Tone	Best for	Price
Yamaha YCL-450 A	Intermediate	Warm	First A	~$1500
Buffet E13 A	Inter+	Warm, deeper	Conservatory	~$2200
Yamaha YCL-650 A	Inter/pro	Stable	Serious	~$2200
Buffet R13 A ⭐	Professional	THE A tone ⭐	Standard ⭐	~$3200
Buffet RC A ⭐	Professional	Centred	Europe ⭐	~$3500
Yamaha CSGIII A ⭐	Professional	Stable	Orchestra ⭐	~$3500
Selmer Privilege A	Professional	Warm French	Alternative	~$4000
Yamaha SEVR A	Top	Premium	Most demanding	~$5000
Buffet Tosca A ⭐	Top	Benchmark	Elite ⭐	~$5500
Selmer Recital A	Top	Premium French	Soloist	~$5000
Buffet Divine A	Top	Absolute	The best	~$7000

🎵 Mouthpieces & Reeds for A

📐 Mouthpiece

Usually the same as Bb! Most pros use one mouthpiece for both. Vandoren B45 ⭐, 5RV, M13 — fit both A and Bb. Some clarinettists keep a separate mouthpiece for A. Not required.

📐 Reeds

Same as Bb! Vandoren Traditional, V12, V21 — all fit. Same strength. Some players keep a separate reed set for A. Physically the reeds are identical.

📐 Barrel

Different! The A barrel is longer than Bb (~66–67 mm vs ~64–65 mm). Don't swap barrels between A and Bb! Backun, Chadash: premium barrels to improve tone (~$200–400).

🎯 How to Choose

🎵 First A clarinet

Yamaha YCL-450 A (~$1500) or Buffet E13 A (~$2200). For getting acquainted with A. But if budget allows — go straight to professional!

🎵 Orchestra (standard)

Buffet R13 A (~$3200 ⭐): most popular! Or Yamaha CSGIII A (~$3500 ⭐). Ideally: same model as your Bb.

🎵 Matching set

R13 Bb + R13 A: most popular pair. RC Bb + RC A: Europe. CSGIII Bb + CSGIII A: Yamaha. Tosca Bb + Tosca A: premium. Same model = same feel when switching!

🎵 Premium

Buffet Tosca A (~$5500 ⭐) or Selmer Recital A (~$5000). Yamaha SEVR A (~$5000). For soloists and principal chairs.

🎵 Used

Used Buffet R13 A = great value (~$1500–2500). Check: cracks, keys, pads, intonation. Only from a technician/shop with warranty!

⚠️ Important

Try before buying! A clarinet intonation = critical. Test "problem notes" (throat, upper clarion). Compare with your Bb — tone should be similar but warmer. Barrel: not from Bb!

❓ FAQ

Can I play A parts on a Bb?

Technically yes (transposing a semitone), but not recommended! Keys become awkward. Bb tone is brighter — wrong character. Auditions require an A clarinet for A excerpts.

Why buy the same model as Bb?

Identical feel! When switching A↔Bb during a concert (sometimes seconds apart!), instruments must feel the same. Different models = different feel = mistakes.

Is A intonation different from Bb?

Slightly! A may have different "problem notes." Throat tones often need more attention. Test intonation of the specific instrument before buying!

When to start playing A?

When you begin orchestral work and encounter "in A" parts. Usually after 4–6 years on Bb. Conservatory students typically buy A in year 2–3.

Do I need A for jazz?

NO! Jazz = Bb only. A clarinet is not used in jazz. Also not needed for concert band, klezmer, pop. A = only orchestra and classical chamber.

Green LinE (Tosca) — worth it?

Yes, especially for A! The A often sits in its case (played less than Bb) → sharper temperature swings when taken out → higher cracking risk. Green LinE = composite, won't crack. Tosca A with Green LinE = peace of mind.

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A Clarinets