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History and Information
The modern clarinet was invented by Johann Christoph Denner towards the beginning of the 18th century, although it was not incorporated into the traditional symphony orchestra until the middle of the century. There are many different variations of this versatile woodwind instrument, although the most popular are the soprano (B-flat), bass, and sopranino (E-flat). There is a large amount of repertoire, including classical, jazz, and folk music.
When to Start
Students can start clarinet lessons as young as age 7, depending on hand size and lung capacity. Most students begin on the soprano B-flat clarinet, and then later branch out into other varieties. The clarinet also requires a certain amount of care, as it must be reassembled every time it is taken out of the case, and disassembled every time it is put away.
Getting a Clarinet
There are many brands and models of clarinet available for rent and purchase. For very young students, it is recommended to rent instruments for two reasons: 1) they will most likely grow out of instruments quickly and 2) they may lose interest (although we hope they don’t!). When you rent a clarinet or buy a used one, we strongly advise that you buy a new mouthpiece. Most places that rent instruments will also provide repair services for their instruments. We can give you recommendations for places near you to buy or rent your clarinet. Please contact us, and be sure to include your location!
Books and Supplies
Most rented clarinets will come with items such as a case and cleaning implements. Your instructor can tell you which books and other supplies are appropriate, especially which type of reeds you should purchase. Most books and many supplies, including reeds, are available online. We can recommend stores near you where you can purchase supplies and music, if you prefer to do so in person. Please contact us, and again, remember to tell us where you live!
**Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. We can help provide you with additional resources.**