The festive season is upon us; and as a parent myself, I’m already creating gift ideas for everyone in my family. While I would love another new clarinet for Christmas, I’m now at the stage of life that so many families find themselves in: finding unique gifts for my children that will be long-lasting and more than just the latest electronic device.

Maybe you find yourself in a similar situation and you have a clarinet player for a friend, family member, or child! I would love to walk you through what it looks like when considering choosing a clarinet as a gift for someone special to you (save this for later if a clarinet isn’t for Christmas this year, but maybe a future gift for birthdays, graduation, and more!)

Before I get into the details, know that I am a teaching and playing clarinet professional myself. I’ve had many students show up to lessons with new clarinets and have the unfortunate experience of receiving something not fit for them, or not quality enough to justify such an expensive purchase. I want to help your family find the perfect clarinet that won’t come with regrets, so here are my tips for making a lasting clarinet purchase.

Why the Clarinet Makes the Perfect Gift

I’ve described the purchase of a new clarinet to clients as, “It’s like Christmas morning,” more than I can remember. When someone receives a gift that is so personal, unique, and an obvious investment like a musical instrument…it feels exhilarating! 

Technology will advance, clothing fades, books get read and then shelved; but a clarinet allows for never-ending potential that is both academic and fun! I’m going to now address three different demographics of clarinet players that might receive clarinets as a gift (or who you might be buying for).

1. Young students

Young students are generally middle schoolers who are in the first 3 years of learning the clarinet. They might currently be playing on a rented clarinet from the local music store, a used clarinet, or potentially even an Amazon clarinet (which by now many families have realized was not the best fit). These students are growing very quickly in their skills; their sounds have likely gone from regular squeaks to melodies beyond “Hot Cross Buns”. At this stage a step-up instrument is encouraged. Finding a clarinet that is wood and has proper keywork will help the young student to grow into a full and resonant clarinet sound. A higher quality instrument will stay in alignment better and hopefully need less visits to the repair shop beyond the routine recommended maintenance. Additionally, a new clarinet allows students to improve twice as fast as their current trajectory (due to renewed motivation with an exciting new instrument, and the higher capabilities on a new instrument).

2. Advancing Students

I would describe advancing students as highschoolers, or young adults recently in a music degree in need of a clarinet upgrade. These students have established musical foundations and are advancing skills directly tied to their clarinet equipment. Fast playing needs better key work; darker or more colorful tone needs higher quality wood and bore craftsmanship (inside of the clarinet); less resistance and instant response needs proper pads… and I could go on. Advancing students need a clarinet that meets both their short term and long term goals. Will a new clarinet be the right fit for their current playing needs but also still meet their goals if they’re entering a music degree, or potentially preparing for a college recital?

3. Adult Players (non-professionals)

This category of players are some of my favorite to work with!  Adults who choose to play the clarinet are doing so out of pure desire and joy for the instrument and music! Most clarinet professionals will choose their own clarinet when the time comes; but adults who are learning as a hobby, or getting back into it after years out of their music degree, or even adults returning to school because they love music, are the people who will deeply appreciate a clarinet as a special gift! These individuals need quality, but not always the most expensive options. They need practical but professional. They don’t want to be held back as adults, which is why we need to give them something special and unique–like a clarinet! 

Choosing the Right Clarinet

Choosing the right clarinet comes down to a few things: knowing your budget, knowing what category of player the individual is that you’re buying for (see above), and talking with a clarinet professional, teacher, and the person being gifted the clarinet.

First, know your budget! There are clarinet options in multiple budget categories, but at the end of the day you need to find a good clarinet for what your family can afford. There are many brands out there, but at Clarinets by Copeland one of our core values is providing excellent clarinets at more accessible prices, which is why we created our own Copeland line. Used clarinets can help save money, but might cost hundreds more in repairs later. New clarinets vary all over the place in prices and can be scary to understand in relation to budget. Here are some general margins:

Beginner clarinets $400-$900

Intermediate clarinet $900-$3,000

Advanced/Professional $2,000-$6,000

Second, know your gift recipient category. Who is the type of player that will receive the clarinet and how might that affect your budget? Typically for young students we are either looking at a beginner or intermediate instrument, and for advancing students we will have them play on an intermediate or advanced clarinet (depending on whether they might be pursuing a music degree). For adult players, I would recommend an advanced clarinet if the budget allows (we don’t want them to have to upgrade again later). Here is a helpful chart based on our Copeland Clarinets that we would recommend for different playing levels:

Third, talk about giving a clarinet as a gift. Buying a clarinet is an expensive purchase, but also a long-term investment! While surprise gifts might typically be more exciting, I would recommend including the individual into the discussion of getting a new clarinet. Understanding those short-term/long-term goals help narrow what type of clarinet to get. Additionally, I recommend consulting their private clarinet teacher, a band teacher, or clarinet professional about the purchase. Just like I would research and consult a professional before making a new computer purchase, I recommend doing the same for a clarinet purchase that will cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. 

Copeland Clarinets are designed to offer high-quality, yet accessibly-priced instruments that meet players’ goals. When you work with us, you are working with clarinet professionals who are clarinet professionals, teachers, and parents themselves. We can help you find a clarinet that will check the boxes for your student needs and goals, the private/band teacher’s preferences, and your personal preferences as the gift giver.

Don’t Forget the Accessories…

Maybe a new clarinet isn’t in the budget right now, or you want to just keep it simple this holiday season. Here are some alternatives to a clarinet purchase for your favorite clarinet lover…some perfect stocking stuffers and accessories that will take someone’s playing to the next level with their current clarinet!

Stocking Stuffers:

Cork grease, cleaning swabs, clarinet stand, humidity pack, or reeds (don’t forget to check what kind they already play on). We also have Clarinets by Copeland merch available, like t-shirts, coffee mugs, water bottles, and more…email us to see how we can help fill your clarinet player’s stocking! 

Accessories:

Mouthpiece upgrade. A new mouthpiece is one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to improve one’s clarinet sound and response. Check out some mouthpieces available from Clarinets by Copeland.

Ligature. Check out some ligatures from Rovner or Vandoren. There are options for young students all the way through professionals. Here is one of our favorites!

Alternative Clarinet-Related Gifts

Give the gift of private clarinet lessons, sheet music or etude books, or even buy them concerts to a local classical symphony concert. In addition to the major city orchestras out there, don’t forget to check your local university and high school programs too!

Whether you choose to purchase a new clarinet, some clarinet-related accessories, or a fun musical experience, I guarantee that the clarinet lover in your life will be thrilled! The gift of clarinet is not just a one-time present, but it’s an opportunity to keep learning, exploring, and connecting with the world of music. 

– Jillissa Anderson

Clarinet Education & Sales Development Specialist