Are you a budding clarinetist? Is it your dream to play this beautiful instrument in a jazz band or orchestra? To help you get started with the clarinet we have put together a few tips.
Tips for Buying a Clarinet:
Type
There are several types of clarinet available to choose from, including the A clarinet, the B♭ clarinet, the E♭ clarinet, the bass clarinet, and clarineos. The most popular choice for beginners is the B♭ clarinet. The B♭ clarinet is most likely the instrument that comes to mind when you think of the clarinet. It has a straight body with a flared bell and is used in various music styles. Clarinets like the A clarinet and the bass clarinet are popular with advancing players and maybe something you are interested in as your playing develops. Alternatively, the clarineo is a small, lightweight plastic clarinet which is a great choice for young children wanting to learn to play the clarinet.
Level
When choosing an instrument, it is important to pay close attention to the level of the intended player. The level you are as a player will influence the clarinet you will get. As a beginner, you are best suited to get a clarinet that has been made specifically for your capabilities and then upgrade your instrument as your playing develops. The plus side is beginner instruments are usually much cheaper than their advanced counterparts.
Price
Musical instruments can in general be quite expensive, and understandably price will play an important factor when choosing your instrument. As mentioned above, beginner instruments are normally cheaper than instruments made for more advanced players. This is great for your initial instrument but is worth bearing in mind as your playing progresses and you need to upgrade your clarinet.
Thankfully, at Duet Shop, all of our clarinets are available on our flexible rent-to-buy plans making it easy for you to get the clarinet you want at an affordable price and then upgrade it with ease when the time comes.
Tips for Once You Have a Clarinet:
Practise, Practise, Practise
One of the reasons the clarinet is so popular with beginners is how easy it is for new players to pick up the basics and produce a good sound from early on. However, to truly master this instrument, you have to put in the time, have patience and practise, practise, practise! As your playing progresses, you can then try your hand at the different types of clarinet, such as the bass.
Read our 6 Ways to Avoid Procrastinating When You Should be Practising post if you are struggling to stay focused on your music practise.
Make Use of Everything Available
There is a huge range of guides, videos, blogs, forums, apps etc., available to aid in learning the clarinet, be sure to make use of them!
Join the Community
There is a whole community of clarinettists and like-minded musicians that you can be part of. Once you start playing, look into joining bands, music groups, online forums and social media discussions. You will undoubtedly pick up some great playing tips and may even make some new friends!
Look After Your Instrument
Your clarinet will play better in the long run if properly cared for, so be sure to look after it.
Recommended Clarinets
To help make choosing your first clarinet that bit easier, we have chosen our top 3 clarinets for beginners:
Nuvo Clarineo
The Nuvo Clarineo offers a plastic clarinet that is ideal for beginners. The Nuvo Clarineo is a fun and easy way to learn the clarinet. It is 100% waterproof, extremely lightweight, durable, and is pitched to C, meaning players can read from the same sheet music as violins, pianos etc. The Clarineo comes supplied in a stylish moulded case with accessories. It comes in four different colours and is available on our flexible rent-to-buy plans.
Elkhart 100CL B♭ Clarinet
The Elkhart 100CL B♭ Clarinet is a fantastic clarinet for beginners. Elkhart offers a reliable, responsive clarinet made from ebonite. The Elkhart 100CL B♭ Clarinet comes supplied in a moulded canvas case with accessories. It is available now on our rent-to-buy plans.
Yamaha YCL255S B♭ Clarinet
The Yamaha YCL255S B♭ Clarinet is a great choice of clarinet for beginners. This clarinet from Yamaha has been carefully designed to offer beginners the best possible learning experience. The Yamaha YCL255S B♭ Clarinet comes supplied in a sturdy moulded case with accessories. This Yamaha Clarinet is available now on our rent-to-buy plans.
Check out the Duet Shop to see our whole collection of clarinets, and don’t forget that if you can’t find what you are looking for, just drop us a message with the details, and we can look into getting it for you!
Please note: there is a minimum monthly payment of £7.50 – if your choice doesn’t reach this threshold, check to see if choosing a shorter rental period will – or you’ll need to add more items to your basket!