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Glam Journal

Are plastic clarinets any good?

Author

Chloe Ramirez

Updated on April 03, 2026

Are plastic clarinets any good?

Plastic clarinets are great for beginners. Plastic is a resilient and durable material, capable of surviving the inevitable drops, bumps, and general wear and tear young students incur. Producing clarinets from plastic allows for consistent uniformity from clarinet to clarinet.

Are Bakelite clarinets good?

BEST CLARINETS FOR STUDENTS Beginner clarinets are typically made of heavy plastic (bakelite). These can have decent sound, plus the plastic instruments do not crack in cold weather, as wood clarinets can. So, even advanced players would want a Bakelite clarinet to use in cold weather.

What is the best material for clarinet?

The wood traditionally used for clarinet construction is grenadilla, also known as African blackwood, or mpingo wood. Due to the density of grenadilla wood, it’s preferred by advanced students and professionals for the unmistakable sound and resonance only a wood clarinet produces.

What is the plastic clarinet called?

resonite
Most modern inexpensive instruments are made of plastic resin, such as ABS. These materials are sometimes called “resonite”, which is Selmer’s trademark name for its particular type of plastic.

Is my clarinet wood or plastic?

Examine the outside of the clarinet. Wood clarinets will have a dull grain appearance while plastic clarinets tend to be smooth and shiny. Look down the inside of the clarinet. A shiny interior indicates a plastic clarinet and grain texture indicates wood.

What is the best clarinet for marching band?

Clarinets For A Marching Band: The Top Three Options You Have

  • 1) Yamaha YCL250 Clarinet. This clarinet certainly deserves the first place on our list of top marching band clarinets.
  • 2) Aileen Lexington Bb Flat 17 Key Clarinet.
  • 3) Mendini MCT-E+SD+PB Black B Flat Clarinet.

Are clarinets made out of plastic?

Although there are some instruments made from other material like hard rubber the vast majority of clarinets are either some form of plastic or grenadilla wood. Without question professional clarinet players will be using high quality instruments made from grenadilla or other African hardwood.

What is the difference between a student clarinet and a professional clarinet?

Student models are constructed to provide a good playing experience while a student is learning the instrument. While student models can last for many years, professional models tend to have a longer lifespan. If you’re concerned about the high price of a professional instrument, think of it as a long-term investment.

What are the 5 pieces of the clarinet called?

The clarinet is comprised of five parts from top to bottom: the mouthpiece, barrel, upper joint, lower joint, and bell.

How much does it cost to buy a clarinet?

Beginner clarinets usually range in cost from $500 to $1100. Intermediate, or step-up clarinets usually range in cost $1,300 to $2,800 and entry level pro clarinets (still largely played by advanced students) around $2000 and up.

Which is the best kind of clarinet to buy?

Ridenour makes a clarinet out of hard rubber and markets it as a professional model. It gets decent reviews but it is not a particularly big seller. It is considered a good buy for a ‘plastic’ clarinet but still costs more than a lot of wood clarinets.

What kind of material is a clarinet made out of?

Material. Clarinets are generally made of wood or plastic. Instruments designed for beginners – often referred to as “student clarinets” – are made from molded plastic or plastic resin. Plastic clarinets are rugged, easy to care for, and inexpensive, but they’ll never have the same tonal qualities as wooden clarinets.

Is it possible to play a clarinet out of plastic?

And I personally think that a good plastic clarinet is an oxymoron. It’s not possible to find a nice tonality through an instrument made out of plastic, especially a tone such as a clarinet’s which is musical, full and rounded.

What kind of case do you need for a clarinet?

Features nickel-plated keys, inline trill keys, and an adjustable thumb rest. Kit includes mouthpiece, 2.5-inch reeds, cork grease, cleaning cloth and gloves. Hard-shell carrying case is durable and great for travel.

Ridenour makes a clarinet out of hard rubber and markets it as a professional model. It gets decent reviews but it is not a particularly big seller. It is considered a good buy for a ‘plastic’ clarinet but still costs more than a lot of wood clarinets.

Material. Clarinets are generally made of wood or plastic. Instruments designed for beginners – often referred to as “student clarinets” – are made from molded plastic or plastic resin. Plastic clarinets are rugged, easy to care for, and inexpensive, but they’ll never have the same tonal qualities as wooden clarinets.

And I personally think that a good plastic clarinet is an oxymoron. It’s not possible to find a nice tonality through an instrument made out of plastic, especially a tone such as a clarinet’s which is musical, full and rounded.

Which is the best clarinet for a marching band?

A plastic instrument is ideal for a marching band. They can be exposed to a variety of weather without being harmed. They are also better at projecting. Clarinets are often unheard of on the field, and this would give them a better chance. Marching season is rough on instruments and can create a need for many repairs.