Clarinet lessons

[Trisket]

I wasn't sure where to post for this. We're enrolling our 8 year old for clarinet lessons, having had a free trial at school. We're looking for a second hand clarinet, but have no idea what kind, or where to look. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

Talk to their teacher and follow their advice would be your best plan of action I would say.

If you want to buy, for a beginner and at tat age, I would just get a cheapo new clarinet rather than search around for a second hand one. They are relatively inexpensive. The teacher will be able to advise on their preferred models for new starters.

There may also be a local council/NGO scheme that rents instruments out on a long-term basis for students. Again, the teacher should know if these exist near you.

Can you hire one to start with until you are sure she wants to keep up with it? Do you have a local music shop you could speak to?

You can get a cheap clarinet that will see them through the first year until you know if they will stick at it or not. That’s what I did with my dd and she then upgraded to a model that will take her to around grade 5 level- just done grade 2 (merit)

I would be tempted to hire a decent beginner clarinet. It's very squeaky to begin with but a few months in an instrument with a decent tone will be more rewarding. Different instrument but we are stuggling with a fairly cheap model for my DD's second instrument and even when she is playing well the sound is not great.

Try to hire a Buffet Prodige if you can.

My eldest started at the same age. We hired one for his first year. When he was accepted into the 2nd year, we needed to buy one. The teacher recommended 2nd hand, and which sites to look at. He also offered to go to inspect the instrument before we bought it (we took him up on that). Personally I wouldn't invest in buying an instrument for a few months at least.

Facebook market place. Look for buffet of Yamaha. I picked one up for £40 to get back into the habit of playing before commuting ££££ to a high quality wooden one.

It’s not amazing but enough for beginners to intermediate level.

You can get super cheap new ones but you’ll pay around £100 for something is really not et all good.

Please excuse the auto correct. Should be committing

The county council may have a scheme where you don’t have to pay tax on instruments for children. Look up the assisted purchase scheme. I’d recommend a decent starter instrument, buffet or yamaha. I didn’t know enough about clarinets to buy second hand. Get something that makes a good sound or your kid won’t want to practice!

Second buffet or yamaha.

Don't go for plastic or some cheap new clarinet. It will be out of tune and utterly unpleasant to play.

A bad instrument is most likely to put your child off continuing.

Agree with renting in the first instance, those instruments tend to be better than cheap nasty ones you get new.

Buying second hand will require help from a proficient player, so get the teacher engaged. Don't buy without playing.

Also, all instrument need regular servicing, so just budget for that. Prob about £60 for a decent service.