Top 3 Beginner Clarinets...EXCLUDING Buffet or Yamaha!

[@gmanandhislady]

I'm returning to play the clarinet as an adult, after 18 years. The last I played was in high school. I just purchased a used Jupiter 700n (as it is called here in the states) and I LOVE it. It's super nice and sounds great as well. It's probably going to sound even better when I update the mouthpiece and ligature.

[@kristinafrancis382]

My daughter has both a Jupiter Clarinet and a Jupiter bass clarinet. We are extremely pleased with both of them and their quality. My daughter does Marching band and currently marches her clarinet, and uses her bass clarinet for concert band, as her marching band teacher didn't have music for a bass this year. 😅 Very happy with Jupiter.

[@yvonnec2863]

thanks so much; very useful; older adult beginner (1.5 years) bought fairly good plastic clarinet (that WAS reviewed well) to see if I'd like it and would stick with it, and am ready for something a little more serious.

[@stephenbrain3633]

I really appreciate Sam's videos and said so once when I met him at a Dawkes event. Normally he hedges his bets but he is a bit more outspoken on this one and that's fine! Getting an idea of the sound is hard over KZbin listening on a phone or tablet etc but it would be nice to hear the lower notes played as well as the higher ones as they can give a bit more of a feel. Otherwise keep them coming!

[@obiwankenobi9547]

I have a question for you guys. I am a student in my schools senior band (10-12 plays grade 3-5 music) I currently have the Yamaha 255 (own it), but use the Vandoren B45 mouthpiece + Vandoren 3.5 V56 reeds. I’ve been using the clarinet for about 5 years now, which direction should I head in for a new clarinet? I would love to continue playing after I graduate, and so which direction would you recommend?

[@joannemead1065]

My first clarinet was a Buescher and it wasn’t the best. I took no exams and eventually stopped playing. My second was made in the Uk in Yorkshire. It stopped working and I upgraded to a Buffet. So - yeah, stick to the top brands as it will cost less in the long run.

[@skimbo74]

I am very interested in learning to play the clarinet. I thought it was between Buffet Prodige and Yamaha 255. I’m even more confused now 😂

[@dawkesmusic]

:) Sorry, didn't mean to make it more confusing. The short answer is any of these would be fine, the most important thing is to do some practice and get a good teacher!