All Levels:

A solid metronome/tuner, a silk clarinet swab, and clarinet stand are required of every student in my studio.

Tuner/Metronome: Korg has a number of wonderful metronome/tuner models available, and these models typically fit inside a clarinet case. Metronome apps are also useful but certainly not loud enough without the aid of an external speaker, which is why I ask my students to buy a standalone metronome/tuner combination.

Silk Swab: The Hodge silk clarinet swab is the choice of practically every woodwind musician I know, and I have used them for close to thirty years myself. Michael Lowenstren at Earspasm has some incredible swabs out now, as well. I use his e-flat clarinet swab exclusively, and I highly recommend his site and products.

Clarinet Stand: The clarinet stand is not required for lessons, as I have my triple stand sitting between the chairs, but it is required for instrument safety at home and school. The clarinet should never be stood on the floor simply on its bell, as this is a disaster waiting to happen when someone or something knocks it over and bends keys or breaks reeds and mouthpieces.

Beginner:

Clarinet: I recommend the Yamaha student clarinet for my beginners, as it has a pleasing tone and is very free-blowing for a plastic clarinet. Often, this clarinet will carry students through middle school until they are ready to purchase a professional-level instrument.

Mouthpiece: The Yamaha model has the added bonus that it comes with the Yamaha 4C mouthpiece included, but this mouthpiece or the Fobes Debut (my personal preference) would need to be purchased for other clarinets or Yamaha rentals that do not come with a 4C mouthpiece (which is common when renting through Music & Arts).

Ligature: Bonade Inverted ligatures have been a staple of great clarinet players for years, but the slipping issue can make them frustrating for beginners. I highly suggest the Silverstein Quattro in size 7, as I often suggest that students move up to the Silverstein Cryo4 or Hexa if they are serious about playing in high school and beyond.

Reeds: Beginning students should be playing on Daddario Reserve Classic reeds in size 2.5 or Vandoren (blue box) size 2.5 reeds. While the Daddario reeds are slightly more expensive, they will last longer and have more playable reeds straight from the box. Not sure which you would like to try? Stop into Music & Arts or Check Levins to buy just 3 of each kind to try.

Intermediate:

Clarinet: The Buffet E12 and the Yamaha YCL-450 are wonderful options for intermediate clarinets; however, it is often the case that students wish to upgrade beyond intermediate-level clarinets in the future. If your student falls into this category, please save up for a little longer and jump to a professional-level clarinet instead. There is little use in buying an intermediate and professional clarinet.

Mouthpiece: Typically, I will move students onto a Vandoren M30 (traditional) or Daddario Reserve X5 mouthpiece around the time the student invests in an intermediate or professional instrument. *Please note that these links require you to choose the specific mouthpiece from a drop-down menu on the right. Make sure you are purchasing the proper mouthpiece if you order it online.

Ligature: See above.

Reeds: Intermediate students will be moved to other styles of Vandoren reeds or higher strength Daddario reeds as needed.

Advanced/Professional:

Clarinet: The gold standard by which all others are measured is the Buffet R13 clarinet, which I played for decades. Within the Buffet line of professional-level clarinets, there are other models available at a higher cost, such as the Tosca, Festival, Vintage, Divine, Prestige, and RC Prestige. Each model has its own strengths, so the student/student’s family and I would discuss this purchase together and decide which model would be the best fit for the student.  I play an RC Prestige model e-flat clarinet.

Also to be considered are the Yamaha CSVR, SEVR, and CSG-III clarinets. These phenomenal clarinets have the same bore and undercutting as the Buffet R13, R13 RC, and German clarinets, respectively. I have played on all three, and I would recommend these clarinets wholeheartedly to anyone. Some of the professionals I play with on a regular basis are also Yamaha players. I am currently playing my own Yamaha CSVR, which sounds incredibly warm and resonant with even intonation and a Yamaha CSG-IIIH A clarinet (the H is the Hamilton finish, which gives it gold-colored keys). It took an impressive clarinet to convince me to switch from my customized Buffet R13 clarinets that I played for 25 years, but I have zero regrets.

The Yamahas tout a lower price tag and more consistent intonation than the R13 line while still maintaining the rich warmth and dark color for which the R13 line is known.
*If you are ready to purchase a professional-level clarinet, we need to set aside a time together to meet and try instruments at Music and Arts in Ellicott City or Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center in Wheaton.
**Please do not order or buy a model of clarinet on your own.**

Mouthpiece: See above.

Ligature: If the student is truly seeking an advanced tone and response, I highly recommend the Silverstein Hexa ligature or Cryo4 ligature. While it brings a breadth of warmth and sound to playing, it also holds a hefty price tag, so this may not be the ideal choice for every student. I play on a rose gold Hexa on both my Bb/A clarinets and my Eb clarinet.

Other Accessories: Sometimes, even the most advanced clarinets can still be improved, so truly advanced/professional players may seek out the Behn Evo adjustable barrel, as I have. It is worth investing the time and effort into trying the different materials for the adjustable ring, as well. While sitting at Brad Behn’s booth at the Denver ClarinetFest in the summer of 2023 and trying all of the barrels, there was a clear winner.

Reeds: Advanced students should be playing on Vandoren or Daddario reeds as discussed in lessons.