How to Choose the Right Clarinet for You: The Ultimate Buying Guide

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How do you choose a new clarinet? It can be a challenge to find just the right clarinet for you. Take a trip to the Buffet showroom in NYC to pick out an R13. I will share all the parts of my process when I pick out a clarinet.

[@simonob007]

Thanks, this was really useful. I am about to purchase my first professional clarinet, I am currently playing on a B12 plastic but moving towards grade 8 after a short 21 year break from the instrument :) Can I ask, how far apart do you deem to be acceptable for your 12ths (cents on a tuner)?

[@clarinetninja]

Hi Simon! Thanks for watching my video. I am glad you found it useful. I try not to deem anything :) I will tell you this though - I think you should do this test on your B12 just to get a sense of what you are already using and then consider the results and how it feels to play that instrument. It sounds bad to just say it, but if you can get 12-15 cents difference in the 12ths of the low E/B and F/C I think you are doing well. The 12ths an octave above should be much closer than that. The real challenge in offering specifics in this area is that every person will get different results. Every mouthpiece will get different results from one another and for each person. There are some pretty wild variables. Also, keep in mind that this particular test is specific to Buffets and even more specific to an R13. Any other brand clarinet would take thought to find the "Achilles heel" or inherent design flaw that creates challenges later on. I am glad you came off your clarinet break and are back at it! Let me know if there are videos on specific topics that you would find helpful.

[@Giaella10]

I'm trying to see my options out there because when I first started learning, I was using the schools rentals, then as my last few years came around, I got a used one and it's a pretty old one that is withering away as I type lol, the corks are breaking off and it's hard to put together for that reason, there's also multiple keys that are sticking, rusting and molding and it isn't ideal to play. This is helpful so thanks for making this

[@NataGeo83]

After I listen to Backun, it was a set for me!! At first I was all about buffet but Backun sounds so much nice (in my ears)

[@clarinetninja]

Bauckun's are beautiful instruments for sure! I just played 2nd clarinet on a couple of performances of Porgy and Bess. The principal player was playing on Backuns. It was really beautiful. The only ones I have tried are owned by famous people with lots of resources. I do have a couple Backun Barrels. I liked them when I bought them, but not long after I bought them the socket size changed and they became to tight to fit on my instrument. I was concerned that the wood was that mobile. When I try them from time to time, they sometimes fit - but I lost confidence in them. Hearing what I heard tonight at the Porgy and Bess was very compelling though.

[@darnocab]

that was really helpful. Thanks for taking the time to make this video.

[@clarinetninja]

Hi Bruce! Thanks for checking it out. Figuring out what is going on when trying a clarinet can get confusing. I hope this helps to create a plan of action! :)

[@jamesdanderfer1299]

Man, wish I had seen this before I bought my last horn! Thanks Jay.

[@clarinetninja]

You are too kind!

[@Taras75357]

I really enjoyed your advice. I almost bought an R13. However the Selmer Paris Presence "felt better" and played better for me... I believe it is a very personal thing.

[@clarinetninja]

Thanks! I am glad you found the right instrument for you! I agree that is incredibly personal. My leanings toward buffet are equally personal and always subject to change:). Fortunately there are many more quality instruments to choose from now than ever before.

[@Taras75357]

@@clarinetninja It can get complicated especially when 1) going back to playing after about 15 yrs, and 2) wanting to upgrade from a basic student setup. It's good to have a price point in mind as well...

[@robfleming5588]

It's a year since the posting of this video, but FWIW the title would have been more revealing had it been "How to pick out a new "professional" clarinet." Like many othes, I'm reasonably certain, I would love to have a Buffet R13 professional clarinet, but my doublers budget argues against that. Are there not less expensive alternatives for those who are closer to the bottom of the clarinet playing learning curve? And, if so, what are they? Thank you. I enjoy your clarinet videos as a saxophonist who only occasionally is called upon to double on clarinet and flute.

[@clarinetninja]

Thanks Rob! I hear you and your position. I meant this video to serve this main idea: two streams of thought should go into choosing a clarinet 1) feelings 2) tangible evidence. I only meant the R13 to be a proxy for that idea. And it happened to be the instrument I was asked to choose for this student. The evidence (or shortfalls of a brand or model are very different…as I am sure you would agree with saxophone) one can get with a tuner (in this case) is something that our “feelings” can’t argue with. Too many times I have bought clarinets, saxes, mouthpieces, ligature…. Because it had “something” that I liked. All too often that “something” wasn’t anything (or was relative to the day I tried it the first time, a good reed, the room I was testing it, or just luck) real and in the I didn’t love the equipment in the way that I thought. I suppose - trust (your feelings) but verify - is my main message with this video. My video making has gotten better since I made this. I think if I made it today it would be a lot better and more clear. As far as clarinets for sax players who are just getting going…a buffet e11 or e12f or a yamaha at that price point would be great. The clarinet I am using now I bought used from a person I know who buys too much equipment and needed to sell something. It had been overhauled by a tech I trust. That is my favorite way to buy an instrument. Of my 5 clarinets, 5 saxophones, 3 flutes, oboe, and English horn….only my eb and A clarinets were purchased new (with me as their first owner). Whatever clarinet you get, my advice is get it looked at by a good tech (even if it’s brand new), play a new mouthpiece (to make sure it’s not warped or idiosyncratic in any way), and you should be set up to get your clarinet playing headed in the right direction. I hope this is coherent and addresses your thoughts :)

[@peterjuliob.2136]

I wonder, by trying all these clarinets out. You’re basically buying previously sampled. Not completely new out of box. Worries me a bit on how others took care of it 😅

[@clarinetninja]

You are making a point that is undeniably true. At the same time, it would be unusual to give a thought to a car that has been test driven. The stores selling them have a financial interest in making sure that the instruments remain well cared for. In this case the showroom is the manufacturer in and of itself. I have only ever owned one clarinet that was new. Every other clarinet I have ever owned was used. The new one I bought was most likely played by somebody else. I get your point, but there is no way around it and it’s only problematic (at least to me) as a notion. In practice it all works out well.

[@jamesa375]

it seems the nYC Buffet showroom no longer exists.I have the Yamaha student clarinet and am very happy with it.I wouldnt spend so much money on a wooden instrument because i think taking care of it is too much trouble and its scary to play it outdoors where i play very often.

[@clarinetninja]

The showroom closed about a year after I made this video. You are correct in that is more work to maintain. Everyone needs to find equipment that fits their needs and wants.

[@caseykittel]

I bought 1967 (guessing based on serial# D8***) E-10 Evette made by buffet crampon clarinet Paris France ( B flat, I think). I’m a guitarist. I am able to play a major scale from e flat to e flat because I played the recorder in middle school. Hehe. I have had it for less than 1 day now. I love it. It sounds very mellow and sweet to me. I think the old reed may be holding me back. It seems to take a lot of pressure sometimes. Maybe when it gets too water wet? I am curious about getting it cleaned up. The keys are tarnished. I tried to clean a small piece of trim (on the end of the top joint) and the silver rubbed off, so I stopped. It actually plays very in tune and there are no leaks. I guess I could just leave it dirty looking. Anyway, do you think the Buffet showroom is the best place to take it? I didn’t pay much for it. I imagine I will have to pay hundreds to get refurbished. That seems crazy too me if its only worth a few hundred. Especially if it may become a finicky old instrument. If it’s worth more I would consider selling it if I could get a potentially less finicky instrument. Some might say a plastic clarinet would be a better fit for me, but I doubt the sound would come close to this old wooden beauty. Thanks!

[@clarinetninja]

Hi Casey! Congratulations on your clarinet. My suggestion is to buy a new mouthpiece and a couple of boxes of #2 reeds. A repair tech should look at your instrument to check things out. If you reveal (generally) what the closest major city you live in, I can potentially suggest a person. I wrote a blog post woodwindninja.com/ninja_blog/beginning-clarinetist/ that may be helpful in getting things set up for success. Thanks for watching my video and taking the time to comment:)

[@caseykittel]

@@clarinetninja 😬 thank you so much for taking the time to reply! I got some new #2 reeds today and am still having some issues. I’m going to study up on the the mouth piece... I’m going to check out your blog first for sure. When I start playing lower notes I feel like the air suddenly stops making its way into the mouthpiece. It’s like the reed doesn’t have enough space between it and the mouthpiece. Not sure if that’s a thing. I’m 1 hour from NYC. I’m in central NJ. I am very close to Somerville, NJ. Would love to hear your suggestions. All the best!

[@clarinetninja]

@@caseykittel The person that may be close and I trust the most - I am not sure how close he is - is Tony Salembene at AJS woodwind repair in Nutley [phone] facebook.com/AJSWoodwindRepair/ He is not only a great repair tech, he is kind and honest! If there is anything I can do for you, let me know!

[@caseykittel]

@@clarinetninja I started to look at mouthpieces first to understand the design. do you think it's fair to say that Longer windows that are flatter all the way to the tip generally require thicker reeds? if this is true I'm guessing that if I use a stiffer reed I may then have an issue with my weak embouchure.

[@clarinetninja]

Hi Casey - I just noticed that I replied from a channel that my daughter and I do stuff - amelia Rose is actually me! lol That was weird - sorry!

[@carmelomastroeli8153]

If Buffet is a little heavy on the pocket you should look into the Ridenour Lyrique 576.

[@clarinetninja]

Hi Carmelo! I have never had the chance to try one of Tom Ridenour's instruments. My tendency is to think that they are very good. I am a big believer in his knowledge and innovation in all things clarinet. His ATG is one of the most treasured tools I have.

[@carmelomastroeli8153]

@@clarinetninja you would be amazed at the sound of his Lyrique. I played on a 1978 R13 for 20 years and since I have been playing on the Lyrique clarinet I have not looked back.

[@NataGeo83]

Also R13 for a student is a bit hefty of a price!

[@clarinetninja]

Maybe I should have made it more clear - it is a student that is ready to make the jump to a new clarinet and his family decided that a pro level horn was the way they wanted to go rather than stopping at an intermediate level instrument. This wasn't a student who was just learning how to play. I would have loved them to come with me, but it was the pre-vaccine period of the pandemic and the showroom had just opened back up.

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

Well, with due respect, your second sentence put me off: ".. today we're gonna take a trip to the Buffet showroom ..". A good clarinet is more than Buffet - and it often is. Buffet mafia is annoying beyond belief.

[@clarinetninja]

I agree completely that there are many ways and many instruments that are wonderful approaches to the clarinet. It seems that the statement that "there is a buffet showroom and I am excited to go there" was interpreted as a statement that there are no other showrooms or clarinets of value. I disagree wholeheartedly with this interpretation. In the video, I explicitly state that there are many clarinets that are wonderful. As I suggest an R13 to my high school and college students and have a system of selecting them this is the only way I can create content around this. My system is to blend an intuitive love for the particular instrument as well as garnering objective information about the clarinet to help ensure that the clarinet ages well. I also go on to state that I don't have the expertise with these other wonderful choices to suggest objective tests to use on those, but that this concept of my process may be of use to think about. Buffet Mafia - no. Do I prefer Buffets? yes. And I have owned and played, successfully in my humble opinion, other brands of clarinets (for many years each time). It would seem your feelings about Buffet are much more negative than my feelings about ANY maker of professional clarinets. All that said - sorry this video wasn't for you. I think we had a misunderstanding! Happy Clarineting!