- Our back-to-school trio: the Woodbrass WCL200 to start, the Yamaha YCL-255S to improve, the Buffet Crampon E11 to go further.
- All three are B-flat clarinets with Boehm 17 keys and 6 rings keywork: the fingerings taught in music schools.
- Two body materials share the selection: ABS, stable and easy to maintain, and grenadilla, a dense wood with a richer tone.
- The budget not to forget: reeds, swab, cork grease and stand. These are what keep the instrument going through the school year.
Every back-to-school season, itâs hectic at the winds department. And the same questions come up at the counter: ABS or wood, which mouthpiece, will the instrument be ready for the first lesson? Weâve been equipping music school and conservatoire students for years. From these back-to-school seasons, weâve kept three solid references for a beginner clarinet, accessories budget included.
The three models are ranked by stage of progress. One to lay the foundations, one to establish a regular practice, one for the student starting sound work. Youâll first find the comparison, then the details of each clarinet, and finally the points to consider before ordering.
Comparison of the best clarinets for back to school
To start: the Woodbrass WCL200, easy to handle
The WCL200 has a simple goal: to get the student playing as soon as the case is opened. Its ABS body withstands trips between home, music school and lessons, with maintenance that takes just two steps.
The Boehm 17 keys and 6 rings key system matches the fingerings taught in courses. Methods, sheet music and teacher instructions fit perfectly, with no mental conversion needed. The silver-plated maillechort mechanism, a common alloy for keys, offers a clear touch. And the adjustable thumb rest suits both child and adult hands.
Two barrels are included, in 64 and 67 mm. The barrel is the part between the mouthpiece and the upper body: changing it slightly alters tuning and resistance feel once the mouthpiece is fitted. Lastly, and importantly for a first clarinet: the instrument is inspected and adjusted by Woodbrass quality control. Good pad sealing makes sound production easier, so daily practice is more rewarding.
Highlights
- Boehm 17 keys and 6 rings key system, the standard for courses
- Robust ABS body and silver-plated maillechort mechanism
- Two barrels (64 and 67 mm) for fine-tuning
- Mouthpiece, ligature, cap, case and cloth included
Weak point
- No low E lever
The three clarinets in this selection are in B flat. This is the key taught in music schools and the only one students will be asked to play in wind orchestras during the first years. Clarinets in A, C or E flat come later, for specific repertoires. You can find the full range on the B flat study clarinets page.
To progress: the Yamaha YCL-255S, consistent day to day
The YCL-255S plays the card of consistency. Its matte ABS resin body remains stable when humidity and temperature fluctuate, between a heated classroom and an outdoor rehearsal. In practical terms: tuning wonât wander from one session to the next.
Playing-wise, sound production is easy and the tone is warm and bright. Exactly whatâs needed to build the air column, that steady airflow that carries the sound without tensing the jaw. The Boehm 17 keys and 6 rings silver-plated maillechort key system follows course standards, both in music school and wind orchestras.
Two ergonomic details improve daily use. The adjustable thumb rest includes a ring for a neck strap, useful for long sessions and to ease the right hand. The bell without metal parts reduces weight, which appeals to young players. The matte finish tones down the resinâs gloss and gives a wood-like look: pleasant when playing among a section. It comes with a 4C mouthpiece, ligature, cap and case.
Highlights
- Stable matte ABS resin against humidity
- Easy sound production, warm and bright tone
- Adjustable thumb rest with neck strap ring
- Supplied with 4C mouthpiece, ligature, cap and case
Weak point
- Neck strap to be added separately if needed
Buy your reeds by the box rather than individually. A new reed takes a few days to settle, and itâs normal to keep two or three really good ones out of five. Start with strength 2 or 2.5 while your embouchure builds up, then increase gradually. The B flat clarinet reeds range covers all strengths and brands.
To go further: the Buffet Crampon E11, the step up to wood
The E11 is a reliable choice from the Buffet Crampon catalogue, developed respecting traditional craftsmanship methods with modern manufacturing processes. Its stained grenadilla body (Dalbergia melanoxylon) adds density in the lower register, the chalumeau of the clarinet. It also brings harmonic richness that helps shape the sound.
Two craftsmanship details are noticeable in use. The added chimneys, pieces fitted around the tone holes, aim for better precision: tuning gains consistency and some sensitive fingerings become more secure faster. The ringed bell strengthens one of the most impact-prone areas, reassuring for an instrument taken out several times a week.
The 442 Hz tuning places it in a modern ensemble context: orchestra, wind band, brass band, clarinet ensemble. The silver-plated keywork and stainless steel springs provide a responsive and smooth key action, valuable for trills and fast passages. The leather pads are appreciated for their seal; they require a simple routine, swabbing after playing and drying. This is typically the instrument chosen for conservatoire or wind band progression, when playing comfort becomes a key factor.
Highlights
- Stained grenadilla body, dense and warm tone
- Added chimneys and ringed bell
- 442 Hz tuning, stainless steel springs
- Supplied with a backpack case
Weak point
- Fixed thumb rest, no height adjustment
A wooden body dislikes temperature changes. After a winter journey, let the clarinet acclimatise to the room temperature for a few minutes before playing. And swab it right after the session: twenty seconds that protect the pads and bore, season after season.
Things to consider before buying a beginner clarinet
Keywork: Boehm, 17 keys and 6 rings
This is the point not to miss. The Boehm system is the one used in French methods, exams and harmony desks. The three models in the selection use it, with the same configuration of 17 keys and 6 rings. The German system, called Oehler, also exists: it is mainly requested in German-speaking orchestras and is aimed at a specific musical project. For a course in France, you start with Boehm.
ABS or grenadilla: two usage logics
ABS is a technical resin. It doesnât mind humidity and withstands temperature variations. Cleaning takes two minutes. That explains its presence on student instruments and in school instrument collections. Grenadilla, on the other hand, is a dense wood. It adds substance to the bore and a true harmonic richness. Many teachers look for this grain when sound work becomes the goal of the year. Both materials coexist in the same class. The useful criterion remains the practice rhythm, transport conditions and the studentâs project.
Mouthpiece, ligature and reeds: the trio that makes the sound
The mouthpiece and reed are the parts the student sets vibrating: with the same instrument, they hugely affect ease of sound production. The WCL200 and YCL-255S come with mouthpiece, ligature and cap in the case, ready for the first lesson. The E11 is delivered with its backpack case. Plan the mouthpiece and reeds according to the level and teacherâs advice. The B flat clarinet mouthpieces section then allows you to refine attack and projection without altering the instrument.
Maintenance: three actions, two minutes
Swab after each session to remove moisture from the body. Cork grease on the tenons once a month to assemble without forcing. Soft cloth on the keywork to keep the silver plating clean. Nothing more. The clarinet maintenance products fit in a pocket of the case. A clarinet stand prevents the classic drop during rehearsal, the one that costs a visit to the technician.
In the first year, the most common mistake isnât the choice of model: itâs forgetting consumables. A spare set of reeds, a swab, cork grease, a stand. With these, the student works in good conditions from September to June. Budget for this when ordering, you wonât have to come back to it.
FAQ: choosing a clarinet to start with
Which clarinet to choose to start at music school?
A B flat clarinet with Boehm 17 keys and 6 rings keywork. This is the configuration used by methods and teachers in France. The Woodbrass WCL200 and Yamaha YCL-255S tick this box with an ABS body. The Buffet Crampon E11 does so in grenadilla, for a more committed path.
Wood or ABS clarinet for a beginner?
Both are seen in lessons. ABS is a resin: stable against humidity, easy to clean, comfortable with daily transport. Grenadilla is a dense wood that adds substance in the low register and a sought-after grain when sound work begins. The useful criterion is the practice rhythm and transport conditions.
What reed strength for a beginner clarinet?
A strength 2 or 2.5 at the start. The reed vibrates more easily, the student produces sound without forcing and the embouchure muscles gradually. You increase strength when the sound becomes stable and the reed seems too soft, often after a few months.
Which accessories to plan with a first clarinet?
Four things. A set of B flat clarinet reeds. A swab to dry the body after each session. Cork grease to assemble the tenons without forcing. A stand to rest the instrument during rehearsal. Mouthpiece, ligature and cap are already supplied with the WCL200 and YCL-255S.
Should a student clarinet be serviced every year?
A visit to a technician every twelve to eighteen months is enough for school use. They check pad sealing, key play and cork condition. Between services, swabbing after each session does the essential preventive work.
Choose now, evolve later
A student clarinet isnât a lifetime choice. Itâs a starting point. The WCL200 opens the door with all essentials in the case. The YCL-255S supports several years of study without complaint. The E11 establishes sound work in grenadilla, for a conservatoire path. In all three cases, the mouthpiece, reed and maintenance will improve results faster than changing instrument.
Then comes the rest of the journey. The full selection in the clarinets section gives a good idea of what awaits the student after the first years: bass clarinet, A clarinet, professional models. The start is just the first chapter.
