The professional level craftsmanship is going to guarantee you will not have to replace this instrument for a very long time.Īt the end of the day, the YCL-650 is the best professional level clarinet at budget price. The Yamaha YCL-650 is a wooden clarinet so it will require more regular maintenance and cleaning than a plastic clarinet.Īlthough the Yamaha YCL-650 is a more expensive option and may not be ideal for a beginner, it’s a perfect option for the more advanced student at a reasonable price for the quality you’re getting.īeing a wooden clarinet, it is going to produce a beautiful, warm sound.This wooden clarinet will be less durable than a plastic clarinet. This model is more expensive and may not be a suitable option for a beginner, or someone more prone to dropping their instrument.There are also many clarinets to consider right in the mid-range, combining both budget needs and quality construction. However, you may find a cheaper clarinet meets your needs better. More expensive models should be considered long term investments. How Much Does A Clarinet Cost?Ĭlarinets can range from less than $100 to over $3,000 so it really does depend on what sort of investment you are personally making for yourself or your student. If you’re student is more responsible or runs less risk of dropping, a wooden clarinet is definitely a great choice. Not that you can’t get great sound from a plastic model, because you absolutely can.
Wooden clarinets are more fragile but there’s an argument to be made that they also produce a better, warmer sound. In terms of durability, plastic models are going to hold up better against dropping and other rough handling, making them more preferred for beginners and younger students.Ī marching band student may also consider plastic over wood, given how much they move, and they may have a higher risk of dropping their instrument as well. What Are Clarinets Made Of?Ĭlarinets are either made of either plastic materials or they are wooden. In addition, other factors to consider when determining the best clarinet combine personal the player’s needs with cost, durability, playability, and sound. So, if your student is a member of the band, this is probably the best option. The key of Bb is known as the best clarinets for students because they are the easiest to learn and work with. Traditionally, the clarinets found in most school bands are in the key of Bb.
There are others, but these are the most common. The five most common types of clarinets are the Bb, the A, and the E in the soprano family, and the Contra-Alto and Contra-Bass in the bass clarinet family.