Advanced Students (4+ years of playing)

1. Clarinet: Buffet R-13 Bb and A clarinets.
   • If you play in a Senior youth orchestra, you will need an A clarinet.
   • Excellent high school students require a professional model clarinet to advance their technique and tone quality.
   • Consult your teacher before ordering.
2. Mouthpiece: Vandoren M13-lyre. Mouthpieces of the same model can vary widely. Consult your teacher before switching mouthpieces.
3. Ligature: BG Revelation (red string)
4. Reeds: Vandoren Traditional (#3, #3.5, #4).
5. Swab: BG chamois-style. Any chamois, cotton or microfiber swab. Avoid fake-silk; it does not absorb as well as cotton or chamois fabrics.
6. Reed Case: Vito Reedguard - holds 4 reeds.
7. Metronome: Boss: Dr. Beat DB-90. The metronome must be loud enough to hear when playing fortissimo.
8. Breathing Bag: 5-liter or 6-liter bag by Rusch. (Ginger stocks the breathing bag.)
9. Practice Book: "Practicing for Artistic Success: The Musician's Guide to Self-Empowerment" by Burton Kaplan (Available through Ginger or online)
10. Music Dictionary: "The A to Z of Foreign Musical Terms" by Christine Ammer.
11. Tuner: Korg CA-30.
12. Practice Planner: Molto Music Practice Planner (www.moltomusic.com)
13. Timer: Standard kitchen time with countdown feature. Taylor #580621; available at Target $5-10.
14. Clarinet Stand (“pegs”): K & M clarinet stand stores in the bell, when not in use. I have Blayman pegs, but because they are quite heavy and more costly, students may opt for the K&M.
15. Music Stands: Manhasset Double Lipped Stand. K&M Heavy Duty folding stand for at-home use.

 

Beginning to Intermediate Students (0– 4 years of playing)

1. Clarinet: Buffet E-12. Intermediate clarinets, made of wood, are the best choice for beginning and intermediate students.
2. Mouthpiece: Vandoren M13-lyre. Mouthpieces of the same model can vary widely. Consult your teacher before switching mouthpieces.
3. Reeds: Vandoren Traditional (#2, #2.5, #3) for Intermediate students. Beginners may start with Rico reeds (#2.0, #2.5), as the resistance level is better suited.
4. Swab: BG chamois-style. Any chamois, cotton or microfiber swab. Avoid fake-silk; it does not absorb as well as cotton or chamois fabrics.
5. Reed Case: Vito reed guard - holds 4 reeds.
6. Metronome: Boss: Dr. Beat DB-90. The metronome must be loud enough to hear when playing fortissimo.
7. Music Dictionary: "The A to Z of Foreign Musical Terms" by Christine Ammer.
8. Tuner: Korg CA-30.
9. Practice Planner: Molto Music Practice Planner (www.moltomusic.com)
10. Clarinet Stand (“pegs”): K & M clarinet stand stores in the bell, when not in use.
11. Music Stands: Hamilton folding stand. Frequently, schools and/or music ensembles will ask the students to bring their own stand for a concert. A folding stand collapses for easy storage.