Are you a parent of a beginning clarinet student?

As a parent of a beginning clarinet student, you areabout to introduce your child to, what could be, a life-long journey of immense satisfaction and a rewarding challenge. Our intention is to help you figure out what will be the best clarinet choice for your child at this stage of their musical development. So here are answers to some frequently asked questions.

Should I buy a wood or plastic clarinet?

If you are buying for a beginner, you probably want to start with a plastic (resonite) or hard rubber clarinet. This type of clarinet requires less care and maintenance than a wood clarinet and is usually less resistant (easy blowing). Less resistance will make it easier for a beginner to play a good tone. These clarinets can create a good sound and do not crack in the cold weather nor when played outside.

Are there particular brands that are recommended?

Stick to major brands when looking for a used or any type of clarinet. Selmer, Yamaha, Buffet, and Leblanc are all trustworthy manufacturers with a long history of producing good, solid clarinets. Another great choice can be the Ridenour hard rubber clarinet made by Tom Ridenour which we have found to be great sounding clarinets at very affordable prices.

Which models are good for the beginner?

Some good models to choose from are: the Selmer 300 and 1400 models, Yamaha 20, and the Leblanc Vito Reso-Tone (#3, 7212, and 7214 ) are all solid choices for a beginner. A newer model clarinet that plays very well also is the Ridenour 147. We have found all the models mentioned here to be very consistent in quality.

We strongly recommend staying away from clarinet brands you’ve never heard of. There are many of them that simply are not well made and don’t have the quality of the above mentioned brands.

What should I look for in a used clarinet?

Inspect the pads for worn edges, splits, or other damage. If shopping online, look closely at the photos. Don’t buy anything that isn’t shown clearly with several photos. Look at the cork where the pieces are joined together. Is it chipped or badly worn or even missing? Read the seller’s copy carefully. Try to determine if the seller is experienced with clarinets by their ad and go with someone who appears to have knowledge about what they are selling.

What if I am not pleased with what I buy?

Make sure you get a money back guarantee and know the return policy of the seller. Buying a clarinet is very personal. What feels and sounds good to one person may not feel right to the next. At FrannyToo!, we offer a money back guarantee if the customer lets us know within 3 business days that they’re returning the instrument. We also ask that it be returned in the same condition as when it was shipped. It is completely reasonable for a seller to accept returns.

What do you recommend for taking care of my child's clarinet?

There are a few simple basics that we recommend a new student have in order to best care for their clarinet, such as a hanky swab, cork grease, key oil, and a reed guard. Most music stores will carry these basics either separately or as a kit.

The thrill of the first note…

When all is said and done and you have your clarinet at home, you can play an important role in encouraging your young musician. Your excitement and pleasure in hearing them play their first note(s) will go a long way in helping your child stay with this pursuit. There certainly are no guarantees that they will make the decision to continue, but being interested and curious about their playing will certainly help. Have the best time!

Message from a parent:

"I just wanted to let you know we received my daughter's clarinet on Monday and I just went to the music store that inspects instruments before starting Summer band going into 5th grade here in Batavia, IL. They were very happy with the instrument and said it was a really nice piece to be starting on. We are very happy with our purchase, thank you."