To buy clarinet or hire?

[stclair]

Dd 11 is sitting grade 2 piano but is keen to take up clarinet so she can play in groups at school when proficient. Please can I have advice on procuring a B flat clarinet? I’ve done a bit of research and Yamaha YCL 255 looks good but quite expensive if she doesn’t like it in the end but see plenty on EBay.

We hired instruments for a while before buying. Wanted to make sure DD would commit to it first. When we did we just bought the flute off the hire company and they reduced the purchase price by 6 months worth of rental cost.

Hire first. Back in the day my school had a few they lent out but not sure that's still a thing. You could also rent or buy through the local music service, if they still exist. ah, austerity

A beginner's clarinet is an awful lot cheaper than an advanced one but she will need to upgrade if she wants to go further with it. Better to hire the first one before getting in to it.

Thanks for your thoughts, I guess some hire companies are better than others? Guessing there is insurance involved and maybe some instruments in better condition than others

www.wwr.co.uk/ are where I always got instruments. But if there's a local store she should try to go in when it comes to buying. I'm a Yamaha girl myself but many friends prefer a Buffet. Personally I didn't like the key size and placement. It's what suits your hands really.

We hire from Duet Shop and would definitely recommend them. I particularly like that it's possible to return the instrument after 3 months if it turns out to be a whim.

Hire

Can you hire from either school or the county music service, they are usually cheap ish. Hire for 6 months then either buy through the school if they have such a scheme or second hand.

@stclair whereabouts are you? I have a B flat clarinet that I haven't played for years!