Okay, so this is my first time buying a professional clarinet and I have no idea what to do. When I first started playing clarinet, I just bought a random one and it worked perfectly fine for me. But now the time has come for me to buy a new clarinet. Also, I have an audition coming up in a couple of months so I want to decide on buying a clarinet before I audition.

My current clarinet was bought in China and it was just some random brand. I want to buy a clarinet that has about the same model/style as mine and some people recommended that I should get the Buffet R13. However, there are still decisions that I have to make about which kind of Buffet R13, nickel or silver plated keys, and whether I should buy a used or new one. Also, some people said that I should buy the clarinet online but that I could buy three at a time, check it out at home, and return the ones that I don't like.

My biggest problem in buying a clarinet is that I have no experience whatsoever in deciding whether a clarinet is good for me or not. Everyone tells me that I should just play around with the clarinets and try them out until there is one that just feels right to you. Is it really that easy? Some people say that you need to play it and check out the tone and everything which... I really am not sure how.

Summing up my questions, should I buy a clarinet online or in store? How should I make sure that this clarinet is the one for me? Nickel or silver plated? Please give me some suggestions on what kind of clarinet I should buy. I really need some tips. Thanks.

You should buy instruments from bah they have good qaulity my t-bone is from bach

@lol17382190, I took your suggestion and went ahead to check out clarinets from Bach. However, this brand only carries brass instruments and not woodwind.

oops sorry let me check another company then

How about kenosha it seems to be a good brand

Clarinets stamped Kenosha appear to be Vitos in disguise. All the ones I've seen advertised are plastic. They won't be anywhere nesr the quality of an R13.

@contra448 That's true, all the Vito clarinets I have seen are student clarinets which are plastic. I'm still not sure whether to get a semi-professional or proffesional clarinet. I'm a student that's only played clarinet for 4 years. I don't really know if I am at the level of buying a professional clarinet like the Buffet R13. My parents find it a little pricy.....

how about jazzor

I have had an old R13 ( 1982) for quite a few years and I love it. It has a good tone and tuning is quite good. I am not sure the newer R13s are so consistent but I could well be wrong. I am not an expert.
I bought a "spare" , again older, R13 on line from JH Packer in Somerset. Again it had a nice tone. I don't know where you are based but Wood Wind and Reed In Cambridge are very helpful.

I've done an internet search for jazzor & nothing comes up.

Do stick to well known brands - there is a load of rubbish out there mainly from China. Always stick to recognised brands & consider secondhand. If possible buy from a good local shop and get an experienced teacher or player's advice before buying. If you can get someone like this to go with you while trying instruments even better.

Good luck.

How about a clarinet from Selmer it is in usa and is one of the top brands phew

Great if it's a Selmer Paris. The US Selmers are OK but more student lines.

Than order it from paris thats so easy right then it has a good quality

I'm leaning towards buying a Buffet R13 because that's what everyone has been recommending me to buy. Anyways, on the weekends, I am going to be checking out some clarinets at my local music store. I'm going to be trying out each of the clarinets. How should I make sure that this clarinet is in good condition and when I try it out, what are some things that I should be aware of?

I bought my 3rd R13 Buffet in 1999. Went to a store in Long Island and tried out 6. Picked the one that felt best. Another thing to look for is corks on the register and side Eb/Bb key instead of pads.