Please can someone recommend me a clarinet for a beginner?

[Feedingthebirds1]

I really want to learn, and I'm musical enough to teach myself to a level that at the minute I think I would be satisfied with. If I get there and then want to progress, I'll cross that bridge when it happens.

I've looked at websites that suggest which ones to buy, but (a) they don't agree with each other and (b) when I look at the reviews for each individual instrument they're very mixed too, so six months after I decided I really want to do this, I still don't have one.

If you play, can you recommend one? Or if your DC learned to play recently, which one did they get, and is it any good? I'm obviously not in the realms of paying £'000s, but it doesn't have to be bargain basement either.

TIA.

Something like a Buffet b12 is perfect and was my first clarinet. You can make it up to grade 5 level with one of these.

If you aren’t already a reed player I would recommend having a few lessons to learn your ombiture and how to set up a reed.

Also rather than buy immediately have a chat with uksaxhire they will let you hire monthly for upto a year then offset the hire payments against the cost if you want to buy it - I used them for dd's beginner then longer term instrument - they offered advice on appropriate instrument each time - very useful given that I hadn't a clue.

I'd second hiring one too.

Our local music shop has a hire scheme where you can pay the balance after 6 months if you want to buy the instrument. That would give you the chance to try without a huge upfront commitment. They'd also be able to advise on which instrument - something I can't comment on for a clarinet!

Thank you for the suggestions, I hadn't thought about renting. Possibly a silly question - do you get a new one to rent? This probably isn't the time to be using a second hand one!

These guys (in Leeds and Glasgow, and the end of a phone) are good and will give honest advice about what you need. My music instructor sister uses them all the time:
www.bandsupplies.co.uk/woodwind/clarinets/student-clarinets/

Another vote for a Buffet B12. Try asking in music shops or schools music service to see if they know of any second hand ones. They often have them if students are upgrading to a wooden one and you can get some real bargains.

Normally your choice whether or not a new one - mouthpiece will always be new though!
Renting also let's you try several different brands of instruments. (at least the people I mentioned do)

I had a Buffet and my teachers always said it had a lovely sound to it (ie the quality of the instrument rather than my average playing!). I got to Grade 5 as a teen then gave up, tried teaching myself some Grade 6 pieces as an adult and struggled to get the upper upper notes but that was probably a combination of lack of practice/cheap reeds etc.