CLARINET
REEDS:
* Please ask your director or private teacher for recommendations on the strength reed that you should purchase before placing your order. *
Vandoren Traditional Clarinet (Box of 10)
UPGRADED INSTRUMENT COMPONENTS:
* These are highly recommended upgrades to the mouthpieces and ligature typically included with a student model or rental clarinet. *
Vandoren B45 Clarinet Mouthpiece
Rovner Light Clarinet Ligature
“MUST HAVE” ACCESSORIES:
AP&M Bb Clarinet Mouthpiece Cap - ALL clarinetists should have a mouthpiece cap; please replace if lost or broken
Peak SMS20 Music Stand - recommended for all band students for use at home
Volkwein’s Instrument Care Kit for Clarinet - contains some of the items listed below
D’Addario Reed Guard (good)
D’Addario Reed Storage Case with Humidity Control (better)
“HIGHLY RECOMMENDED” ACCESSORIES:
Protec Gel Cushion Clarinet Thumb Rest
Faxx Clarinet Mouthpiece Patch
Herco Woodwind Mouthpiece Brush
Interested in upgrading your CLARINET?
By the time students are in high school, they have likely played on the same student model or rental instrument for at least 4 years. Just like in sports and in other activities, the demands of band increase as students progress, so students will most certainly benefit from playing on a higher quality instrument by the time they are a sophomore in high school.
However, before purchasing any new or used instrument, it is highly recommended that students and parents do the following:
- First, speak to your band director and/or private instructor about the desire to purchase a new instrument and seek their recommendations / guidance.
- Visit Volkwein’s Music in person, meet with one of the trained instrument salespeople, and test out several instruments before purchasing.
There is an overwhelming number of options available, including many very appealingly affordable instruments online. Many of these instrument-shaped objects are extremely low-quality and are difficult to impossible to repair. Therefore, the instrumental music staff at Norwin recommends that high school students consider the following Intermediate and Professional level instruments when purchasing a new or used instrument:
Intermediate - Yamaha YCL-650 II Professional Bb Clarinet
Professional - Buffet R13 Professional Bb Clarinet
*Intermediate = high school student with intermediate-level skills who may continue playing their instrument after high school
*Professional = high school student with advanced-level skills who probably will continue playing their instrument after high school