Top 5 Beginner Clarinets for the Rising Musician

For the best quality and sound beginner clarinet for a school student, check out the Jean Paul CL-300 Student Clarinet. It’s made of ebonite which is a very hard rubber that is heavy and really durable. This is a much better material than some of the thin plastic that bargain instruments are often made of.

This clarinet has nickel-plated keys that help produce a clear tone. The cylindrical bore was made to produce a smooth sound with a strong response for a wide range of tones.

A tough, contoured carrying case is included for adequate protection to and from school on the bus or for traveling with orchestra or band. This clarinet also comes with a reed, cleaning cloth, and cork grease, so you have everything you need to try it out right away. There’s also a strap ring and strap included if you need a little extra support.

A lot of the people who purchased this clarinet commented that it was the perfect instrument for their middle schoolers to learn the clarinet. It’s a better option than renting one from the school because, overall, it’s much less expensive and you don’t have to worry about anything happening to it and having to pay any penalties. Some people commented that some of the notes were off, but this was not a common experience.

What are its best features?

• Made of durable ebonite
• Nickel-plated keys
• Durable carrying case
• Reed, cleaning cloth, cork grease included
• Strap ring and strap
• Great for students

What could be improved?

• Some users commented notes were off, but this was not common

The best beginner clarinet on a budget is the Windsor Student Bb Clarinet. It features a lightweight Bakelite body that is easy for a student to handle. The ebony finish and nickel-plated keys give it the look of a much more expensive instrument.

The keys are reinforced to help create well-rounded, precise tones. Most people who purchased this clarinet were happy with the sound considering the price. A few people said that they took it to a music store for adjustments and the sound quality was even better than it was when it first arrived.

This clarinet comes with everything you need to get started playing and perform general maintenance. You get cork grease, a cleaning cloth, reeds, mouthpiece, ligature, and cover. And it all fits nicely into a lined protective case that’s molded to the exact shape of all the parts to keep everything protected. It’s a great choice for students who are going to be traveling with their instrument, whether it’s back and forth to school or concerts or private lessons.

This is a good starter clarinet or one to keep at home for practice. Several people mentioned that it does not sound as good as their more expensive wooden clarinets, but they were still very happy with this instrument considering how affordable it is.

What are our favorite features?

• Affordable
• Lightweight Bakelite body
• Ebony finish
• Nickel-plated keys
• Includes cork grease, cleaning cloth, reeds, mouthpiece, ligature, and cover
• Durable protective case

What could be better?

• May need some adjustments at music store to improve sound quality

Our Editor’s Pick for the best clarinet for a beginner is the Hisonic Signature Series 2610 Bb Orchestra Clarinet. This is a great instrument for students and can stay with them until they’re ready to take their hobby a little more seriously. One of the great things about this clarinet is its sound. It’s suitable for most performances that students usually participate in, including orchestra, marching band, and jazz band.

This clarinet is made of ebonite, a very hard rubber that’s really durable and perfect for a student. It also features nickel-plated keys that are easy to play and create a professional look next to the dark black body. A mouthpiece, reed protector, cork grease, and cleaning swab are all included. Everything fits nicely into the plush-lined case, which makes it easy to travel with.

For parents looking for an inexpensive alternative to renting an instrument from your child’s school, this one is a good choice. The ebonite body should last a long time, and the sound quality is sufficient for someone at the middle school level. That’s not all, this clarinet is also covered by a one-year limited warranty so if you’re not happy with the workmanship, contact the company, and they should be able to help you out. Most people had minimal complaints about the instrument itself, but a few said that the handle broke off the case after only a few uses.

Why are we impressed?

• Great for school students
• Durable ebonite body
• Nickel-plated keys
• Includes mouthpiece, reed protector, cork grease, cleaning swab
• 1-year limited warranty

What negatives must you be aware of?

• Case handle breaks easily

The Mendini by Cecilio B Flat Beginner Student Clarinet is a great choice for beginners. Cecilio has been making beginner and intermediate clarinets since 2004 and has become one of the top-sellers for bands and orchestras.

This clarinet includes everything a beginner needs to get started, including a ligature, cap, box of reeds, foldable stand, and a carrying case. You also get basic maintenance materials, like a cleaning cloth and cork grease.

Each instrument is tested at the overseas manufacturer and then again when they reach the southern California warehouse. Quality control is very important to the company, and they’re so confident in their instruments, they offer a one-year warranty against manufacturer’s defects and local service for any issues that arise in the warranty period.

What’s cool about this one is it comes in a variety of color options. While most schools or orchestras will likely insist on black, you can choose from green, white, purple, red, and more to make a statement.

Users say that this instrument is easy to play and sounds great. The lightweight material is easy to hold, and the keys are very responsive. There were some minor complaints about the cork grease not being very good and that it didn’t seem like it would hold up over time.

What are its best features?

• Tailored for beginners
• Includes ligature, cap, reed, stand, case, cleaning cloth, and cork grease
• Quality tested
• 1-year warranty
• Available in different color palette
• Good sound

What could be improved?

• Cork grease poor quality
• Lightweight material may not stand the test of time

Another great choice is the Aileen Lexington Bb Flat 17-Key Clarinet. This one is in the running for best clarinet for child beginner thanks to its affordability and professional-grade testing. The Bakelite body has a wood grain finish for a more natural look, and the nickel-plated keys look great next to the matte finish.

This clarinet includes a mouthpiece, reed, screwdriver, cork grease, cleaning cloth, and gloves. Everything fits nicely into the hard foam-shell case, so it’s easy for students to go back and forth to school without having to worry about damaging the instrument. It has a shoulder strap, too, so it’s really comfortable to carry.

Most people thought that this was a great beginner’s instrument but some issues that were brought up. First, you might need to invest in a better clarinet mouthpiece. The mouthpiece has a lot to do with the quality of the sound, and some people felt that the one that was included could have been improved. Some of the pads may not line up precisely, either, which really affects the precision of the notes and overall sound. This wasn’t a common problem, but you may need to take it to a music store for some adjustments.

What makes it special?

• Affordable
• Great for students
• Bakelite body with a woodgrain finish
• Includes mouthpiece, reed, screwdriver, cork grease, cleaning cloth, and gloves
• Durable case with handle and shoulder strap

What cons did we find?

• Pads may not line up correctly
• May need to purchase new mouthpiece to improve sound quality