Which clarinet should I buy first?

Bb clarinet — the standard! For beginners: plastic body (ABS). Yamaha YCL-255 (~$500) or Buffet Crampon Prodige (~$500) — best student models. Jupiter JCL700 (~$350) — budget. Plastic is moisture-proof, ideal for learning.

Wood or plastic clarinet?

Plastic (ABS): for beginners. Sturdy, moisture-proof. Brighter tone. Wood (grenadilla): for advanced and pros. Warmer, richer, deeper tone. THE clarinet sound! But: can crack with improper care. More expensive.

How much does a clarinet cost?

Student: $300–700 (Jupiter ~$350, Yamaha YCL-255 ~$500, Buffet Prodige ~$500). Intermediate: $1000–2500 (Buffet E11 ~$1200, Yamaha YCL-650 ~$2000). Professional: $2500–8000+ (Buffet R13 ~$3000, Tosca ~$5000, Selmer ~$4000).

Which reeds are best for clarinet?

Vandoren — the #1 standard! Traditional (blue box): most popular. V12: warmer tone, longer lasting. V21: compromise. Beginners: strength 2–2.5. Advanced: 3–3.5. D'Addario Rico/Royal — budget alternative.

Clarinets — Buy at SoundsGood

Clarinets — Buffet Crampon, Yamaha, Selmer, Jupiter, Leblanc. Bb, A, bass clarinet, Eb clarinet. Plastic and wood (grenadilla). Student, intermediate, and professional models. The clarinet = one of the most expressive wind instruments! Warm, velvety tone. From orchestral classics to jazz and klezmer. Vandoren reeds, mouthpieces, accessories. SoundsGood — clarinets in Ukraine.

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🎯Bb, A, bass, Eb
Plastic & wood

🎵 Bb Clarinet — The Standard

📐 What is it

The Bb clarinet — the world's most common clarinet! Key of Bb. Transposing (sounds a tone lower than written). Range ~3.5 octaves. Warm, "velvety," expressive tone. One of the most flexible winds — from pp to ff, from chalumeau to clarion.

📐 Where it's used

Symphony orchestra: Mozart, Weber, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev. Concert band: leading voice! Chamber: quintets, trios. Jazz: swing, Dixieland (Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw). Klezmer: traditional! Pop/rock: occasionally.

📐 Construction

5 parts: mouthpiece, barrel, upper joint, lower joint, bell. Boehm system: standard in most countries (17 keys, 6 rings). German system (Oehler): Germany, Austria (different fingering, different tone).

🎵 A Clarinet

📐 What is it

The A clarinet — the Bb's orchestral partner! Sounds a semitone lower. Slightly longer. Warmer, "darker" tone. Used in orchestra for sharp keys (where Bb is awkward). Mozart (Clarinet Concerto!), Brahms, Strauss.

📐 Who for

Orchestral clarinettists! A professional needs both Bb and A. NOT for beginners. Usually bought after mastering Bb. Prices: from ~$2000 (intermediate) to ~$8000 (professional). Buffet R13 A (~$3200), Yamaha CSGIII A (~$3500).

📯 Bass Clarinet

📐 What is it

Bass clarinet Bb — an octave lower! Large, curved. Deep, "organ-like," powerful tone. "The bass of the woodwinds" (alongside bassoon). Characteristic curved bell and S-shaped neck.

📐 Where it's used

Orchestra: Wagner, Strauss, Stravinsky, contemporary. Concert band: bass line. Jazz: Eric Dolphy! Chamber music. Growing in contemporary music.

📐 Models

Yamaha YCL-221 ⭐ (~$2500): student, to low Eb. Yamaha YCL-621 (~$5000): intermediate, to low C. Buffet Prestige 1193 (~$8000+): professional, to low C. Low C = orchestra standard!

🎵 Eb Clarinet

📐 What is it

Small clarinet in Eb! Shorter than Bb. Bright, piercing, "tart" tone. The highest standard clarinet. Difficult to intonate!

📐 Where it's used

Orchestra: Berlioz (Symphonie fantastique!), Strauss, Mahler, Shostakovich. Concert band. NOT for beginners — Bb first! Prices: Yamaha (~$1500), Buffet (~$2500+).

🪵 Wood vs Plastic

📐 Plastic (ABS / Resonite)

For beginners and marching! Sturdy, moisture-proof, temperature-proof. Won't crack! Brighter, "simpler" tone. Cheaper ($300–700). Ideal for learning. Yamaha YCL-255, Buffet Prodige, Jupiter JCL700.

📐 Wood (grenadilla)

For advanced and professionals! Warmer, richer, "deeper," "velvety" tone. THE clarinet sound! But: can crack with sudden temperature changes or improper care. More expensive ($1000–8000+). Needs regular oiling. Buffet E11, R13, Tosca; Yamaha YCL-450, 650, CSGIII; Selmer.

📐 When to switch to wood?

After 2–3 years on plastic. When technique is stable, embouchure is formed, you understand instrument care. An intermediate wood (Buffet E11 ~$1200, Yamaha YCL-450 ~$1200) = logical upgrade. Don't buy wood first!

🎓 Student Models

📐 Jupiter JCL700 ⭐

~$300–400. Plastic. Nickel keys. Best budget! For schools and beginners. Decent intonation for the price.

📐 Yamaha YCL-255 ⭐

~$450–550. Plastic (ABS Resonite). Nickel silver keys. The student clarinet standard! Superb intonation, easy blowing, reliable. Most popular choice for learning.

📐 Buffet Crampon Prodige ⭐

~$450–550. Plastic. Buffet quality at a student price! Great intonation. Easy transition to Buffet E11/R13 later.

📐 Yamaha YCL-450

~$1000–1300. Wood (grenadilla)! Student/intermediate. First wooden. Warmer tone. For those ready for wood.

📈 Intermediate Models

📐 Buffet Crampon E11 ⭐

~$1100–1400. Wood. Most popular intermediate! Warmer, deeper tone. Improved keys. Standard for serious students and amateurs.

📐 Buffet Crampon E13

~$1800–2200. Wood. Improved E11. Closer to R13. For demanding amateurs and conservatory students.

📐 Yamaha YCL-650 ⭐

~$1800–2200. Wood. Improved bore, nickel silver keys. Intermediate/semi-professional. Superb intonation.

🏆 Professional Models

📐 Buffet Crampon R13 ⭐

~$2800–3500. Wood. THE clarinet! Legend since 1955. The world's most popular professional clarinet. Standard for orchestras, ensembles, soloists. If one clarinet — R13!

📐 Buffet Crampon RC

~$3000–3800. Wood. "Revised Conservatoire." More centred tone than R13. Popular in Europe.

📐 Buffet Crampon Tosca ⭐

~$4500–6000. Wood + Green LinE (composite). Buffet's top line! Improved intonation, crack-resistant (Green LinE). For the most demanding professionals.

📐 Buffet Crampon Divine

~$6000–8000. Buffet's newest top model. Best tone, intonation, response. For elite soloists.

📐 Yamaha YCL-CSGIII ⭐

~$3000–3800. Wood. Custom series. Japanese alternative to R13. Superb intonation. Popular with orchestral players.

📐 Selmer Privilege / Recital

~$3500–5000. Wood. French premium. Warmer "French" tone. An alternative to Buffet.

🌿 Reeds

📐 Vandoren ⭐ — The #1 Standard

Traditional (blue box) ⭐: world's most popular! Bright, clear tone. V12 (silver box) ⭐: warmer, "darker." Longer lasting. Popular with pros. V21: Traditional + V12 compromise. 56 Rue Lepic: warmer, for jazz/chamber.

📐 Strength

Beginners: 2 — 2.5. Easier to blow. Advanced: 3 — 3.5. More control, warmer tone. Pros: 3.5 — 4. Maximum control. Match to your mouthpiece! Open mouthpiece = thinner reed.

📐 Other brands

D'Addario Rico ⭐: budget. Royal: better. Reserve/Reserve Classic: professional. Gonzalez: quality alternative. Start with Vandoren Traditional, then experiment.

📐 How many

A reed lasts 2–6 weeks. Always keep 3–4 working reeds in rotation. Box = 10 pcs (~$20–30). Rotation = longer life for each reed.

🎵 Mouthpieces

📐 Standard

Vandoren B45 ⭐: world's most popular! Medium tip, versatile. 5RV ⭐: smaller tip, easier for beginners. M13: more open, for advanced. Start with B45 or 5RV!

📐 Mouthpiece = 50% of sound!

A mouthpiece upgrade is one of the most effective upgrades. A good mouthpiece on a student clarinet beats a bad mouthpiece on a pro. Vandoren mouthpiece (~$80–120) = huge improvement on a student instrument.

📐 Ligatures

Vandoren Optimum ⭐: ~$50. Interchangeable plates. Standard. Vandoren M/O: ~$30. Leather. BG: ~$30–50. Rovner: ~$20. Leather, softer tone. The ligature affects response and tone!

🏷️ Brands

📐 Buffet Crampon ⭐

THE clarinet brand! French, since 1825. Prodige (~$500): student. E11 ⭐ (~$1200): intermediate. R13 ⭐ (~$3000): legend! Tosca (~$5000). Divine (~$7000). The professional standard worldwide.

📐 Yamaha ⭐

Japanese quality! YCL-255 ⭐ (~$500): student. YCL-450 (~$1200). YCL-650 ⭐ (~$2000). CSGIII ⭐ (~$3500): professional. Superb intonation, reliability. Student to pro.

📐 Selmer (Paris)

French premium. Privilege (~$3500). Recital (~$4500). Warmer "French" tone. Alternative to Buffet.

📐 Jupiter

Budget! JCL700 ⭐ (~$350). Best for minimum budgets.

📐 Vandoren ⭐

Reeds + mouthpieces + ligatures! The #1 standard worldwide. Every clarinettist uses Vandoren!

📐 Backun

Canadian premium. Barrels, bells, mouthpieces. Accessories to upgrade your existing clarinet. A Backun barrel (~$200–400) = significant improvement.

📊 Comparison: Bb Clarinets

Model	Material	Level	Tone	Best for	Price
Jupiter JCL700 ⭐	Plastic	Student	Bright	Budget ⭐	~$350
Yamaha YCL-255 ⭐	Plastic	Student	Clear	Learning std ⭐	~$500
Buffet Prodige ⭐	Plastic	Student	Clear	Buffet quality ⭐	~$500
Yamaha YCL-450	Wood	Stud/inter	Warmer	First wood	~$1200
Buffet E11 ⭐	Wood	Intermediate	Warm	Serious students ⭐	~$1200
Buffet E13	Wood	Inter+	Richer	Conservatory	~$2000
Yamaha YCL-650 ⭐	Wood	Inter/pro	Open	Serious ⭐	~$2000
Buffet R13 ⭐	Wood	Professional	THE tone ⭐	Pro standard ⭐	~$3000
Yamaha CSGIII ⭐	Wood	Professional	Stable	Orchestra ⭐	~$3500
Buffet RC	Wood	Professional	Centred	European orch	~$3500
Selmer Privilege	Wood	Professional	Warm French	Alternative	~$4000
Buffet Tosca ⭐	Wood/GreenLinE	Top	Benchmark	Elite ⭐	~$5000

🎯 How to Choose

🎵 Beginner

Plastic Bb! Yamaha YCL-255 (~$500 ⭐) or Buffet Prodige (~$500). Jupiter (~$350): budget. Don't start on wood!

🎵 Upgrade (2–3 years)

Intermediate wood! Buffet E11 (~$1200 ⭐) or Yamaha YCL-450. Or: upgrade the mouthpiece (~$100) first.

🎵 Serious amateur

Buffet E13 (~$2000) or Yamaha YCL-650 (~$2000 ⭐). Semi-professional quality.

🎵 Professional

Buffet R13 (~$3000 ⭐): the standard! Yamaha CSGIII (~$3500). Selmer Privilege (~$4000).

🎵 Jazz

Standard Bb + jazz mouthpiece (Vandoren B40, M15). Reeds: V12 or 56 Rue Lepic. Same instrument, different mouthpiece + reed = jazz sound.

⚠️ Important

No no-name! Cheap unbranded = bad intonation, keys break. Minimum: Jupiter, Yamaha. Reeds: stock up! Mouthpiece upgrade = most effective upgrade. Service: annual overhaul.

❓ FAQ

Wood or plastic to start?

Plastic! Moisture-proof, won't crack, cheaper. Focus on technique. After 2–3 years switch to wood. Wood first = cracking risk for beginners.

Why do wooden clarinets crack?

Sudden temperature changes + moisture! Cold clarinet + warm breath = condensation = expansion = crack. Prevention: oil the bore, warm up slowly, avoid extreme temps. Buffet Green LinE (Tosca) = crack-resistant.

R13 or RC?

R13: brighter, more flexible, "American" standard. Popular in USA, Asia. RC: more centred, "darker," "European." Popular in France. Try both! Most choose R13.

Which reed?

Vandoren Traditional 2.5 for beginners. Gradually move to 3, then 3.5. V12 3 for warmer tone. Match to your mouthpiece!

Boehm or Oehler system?

Boehm = standard! In most countries. If not in Germany/Austria — Boehm. Oehler (German): different fingering, different tone. Used in Germany and Austria. Don't mix them!

Do I need an A clarinet?

For orchestra — yes! A professional needs both Bb and A. For jazz, concert band, learning — Bb alone is enough. A clarinet = separate purchase ($2000+).