Looking for the Best Beginner Clarinet? Here's What I'd Buy:
You've finally decided to buy a clarinet, and you open your phone and search for “best beginner clarinets.” AI spits out a bunch of brands and models. Google gives you sponsored ads that vary wildly in price. Sound familiar?
TL;DR
Other Important Recommendations: Mouthpiece, ligature, & reeds
As a clarinet teacher with over 25 years of experience, I’ve seen them all- the good, bad, and the really bad clarinets that come with white gloves. Let’s take a look at what’s out there.
With so many brands and models of clarinets to choose from, clarinet shopping can feel overwhelming. Let's sort through it together.
Student Clarinets: What's the best clarinet for a beginner?
If you were car shopping for a new driver, you probably wouldn’t be looking at a $350K Lamborghini for a kid who hasn’t learned to drive a stick shift yet.
It’s the same with clarinets. You could spend
$10K on a professional clarinet for a beginner, but you shouldn't.
Student-level clarinets are designed with beginners in mind. They are lighter-weight, easier to blow, and less expensive than professional level instruments.
The student-level brands that I work with most often in the classroom and in my private clarinet studio are Jupiter, Yamaha, and Buffet Crampon. In addition to a clarinet's playability, the things that matter to me are features, warranty, and cost.
Brand | Model | Level | Adjustable Thumb rest & hook? | Warranty | Approximate Retail Price in 2026 |
Jupiter | JCL710NA | student | yes | $1229 | |
Yamaha | YCL-255 | student | yes | $1431 | |
Buffet Crampon | Premium Student | student | no | $941 |
Are Name Brands Important?
Yes, name brands are important. Period. There are a handful of good choices on the market, maybe more than these three, but there are even more not-so-good choices, too.
The off-brand instrument-shaped objects that you can buy for $250 or less from a large online platform that sounds like a rainforest will bring you heartache and headaches. I have seen scores of students show up to class with these. Cheap, off-brand clarinets that don't work well can make learning an instrument nearly impossible. Sadly, these kids often fall behind and end up quitting band, through no fault of their own. In my opinion, if it were my child, I would avoid brands like Glory, Mendini, Eastar, Jean Paul, and East Rock.
New or Pre-owned?
Purchasing a pre-owned clarinet can be tricky if you don’t already play clarinet and can’t play test it first. It’s easy to think you are saving money, but keep in mind, if the used clarinet needs new pads and adjustments, it can cost up to $600.
If an old clarinet has been sitting for years in a closet or under a bed, it probably needs a fresh new case, too. Look up pad bugs/pad mites and you’ll see why. A basic clarinet case costs about $75. I have purchased the Protec case for some of my pre-owned clarinets and clarinets that I've refurbished.
All that being said, there is nothing wrong with a great quality pre-owned instrument. It’s just that it can be difficult for a novice to choose a good one.
Here’s Exactly What I’d Buy for My Beginner Clarinet Student:
What do I look for in a student clarinet? I like to make sure it is easy to play and sounds reasonably in tune across all registers. It is important that the case has space for reeds, cork grease, and a swab. I also like an adjustable thumb rest with a neck strap hook for proper positioning of the right hand to help avoid squeaks.
The student model Jupiter is my first choice. Jupiter's JCL710NA plays with a nice sound and has the features that are important for a student clarinetist. As a music educator and a parent, Jupiter’s 10 year warranty makes it a no-brainer for me.
Other Important Recommendations
Mouthpiece
An upgraded mouthpiece makes a huge difference for clarinetists, whether they are pros or just starting out. I recommend Vandoren 5RV Lyre for my new students who don’t already have an upgraded mouthpiece.
Ligature
My favorite ligature for beginners and beyond is the Rovner Dark Ligature. It’s affordable and easier to use than a stock ligature, and your child won’t need to mess with constantly adjusting screws because the ligature keeps popping off. This leather ligature won’t break when it gets dropped. Many stock ligatures included with rental clarinets simply don’t work well.
If your child’s ligature works well and stays in place, I wouldn’t upgrade yet. If you are looking for an easier option, the Rovner Dark is the way to go.
Reeds
Like clarinets, there are a lot of good and bad choices out there. Vandoren Traditional reeds in strength 2 1/2 are my go-to reeds for all of my beginners. Reed quality matters. It can be the difference between being able to make a nice sound and not being able to get a note out. Do not cheap out on reeds.
Don’t forget a reed case!
Storing reeds on the mouthpiece is a big no-no. Keeping your reeds flat and protected will save you money. You certainly don’t want to spend over $30 on a box of reeds and then have them get broken as soon as you try to put them back in the original packaging. You don’t need to buy an expensive reed case for a beginner. Even as a professional, this inexpensive D'Addario reed case is my favorite.
Recap: Here are my top picks for beginner clarinet students:
Clarinet: Jupiter JCL710NA
Mouthpiece: Vandoren 5RV Lyre
Ligature: Rovner Dark
Reeds: Vandoren Traditional 2 1/2
Reed Case: D’Addario
Thinking about stepping up to an intermediate clarinet? Read my latest post about a cool feature.
Happy Clarineting!
Amy
About Amy:
Amy Chambers is a private clarinet and bass clarinet teacher offering online and in-person clarinet lessons for beginners through advanced students preparing for college auditions, All-State, youth symphony, honor bands, and solo performance.
Founder of ClarinetGeek.com, creator of @themusicchambers, and Educational Artist at Jupiter Band Instruments, Amy specializes in helping clarinetists build strong fundamentals, confidence, musical expression, and audition success through personalized instruction. For info about lessons with her, visit clarinetgeek.com.
Disclaimer:
I only recommend products that I personally use or confidently recommend to my own students. If you purchase something through one of the links on this page, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work and helping me create free educational resources for clarinet players.
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