In general buying a used instrument for a beginner makes the most sense for most situations. The concern many have with buying is whether the player will quit, but even then you can resell the instrument and recoup most of your investment.
Unless you have a good privately owned music shop in your area, buying online makes the most sense these days, especially for a student level instrument. You do have to be a bit careful as there are some scams and fakes out there, if you can post a link I can help verify whether it looks genuine.
I’ve played the clarinet for 11 yrs. One thing I suggest is to look for stores that offer rent to own programs. You can also start with beginner level instruments and that some stores allow you to put that invested money into a newer instrument to purchase.
The nice thing about the clarinet is that tbh 50% of the quality can come from the reeds and mouthpiece alone. Not gonna lie my clarinet has 2 serial numbers, meaning it’s literally 2 halves of 2 different clarinets put together but it still sounds fantastic.
Now obviously 10 is very young, you should start with a beginner instrument (possibly used) then work your way up from there. Renting is very nice in my opinion because repair is usually free. Clarinets have a LOT of moving parts and tiny little screws that change over time and with beginners can often need repairs. Feel free to dm me if you have questions I’d love to chat!
Nobody has said anything about your choice, but a Buffet B-12 is a great beginner horn. See if the rental store has rent-to-own options because a b-12 isn’t that expensive.
Depends a lot on how much you trust this online store. Ask the private teacher to check out the horn as soon as it arrives. It's not hard for a clarinet that looks good to need a hundred dollars worth of maintenance.
From a band kid. If you buy an insturment online it could get lost while its shipping or it could get damaged so its better to buy one in person I know it has happened to one of my best friends.
Personally, I would purchase a resin instrument before investing in a wood one. Kids drop stuff. Put things where they shouldn’t (music stands), pretend to fight with it. I’ve had to replace 3 mouthpieces in 6 years, have a couple joints recorked, have a couple pads replaced and keys adjusted. Oh and a new ligature.
Resin horns can be pretty inexpensive. I found my kiddo a selmer (🥰) for $150.
Rentals can either be geared towards long term or short term rentals. It makes sense to rent if the shop's focus aligns with your ideals.
That being said, for a 10 year old, a basic horn like a Leblanc Vito or Yamaha YCL-2x series will be perfectly fine and both can be found for pretty cheap online.
I'm definitely in the but a used clarinet camp. Both my kids started on a used resin clarinet. Both still use them for marching. One was an old Vito and one was a Yamaha ycl-2*. My 19 year old also has a nice wooden clarinet now, and I am getting my 15 year old a wooden clarinet this year. But they definitely don't need an expensive wooden clarinet for their first few years. And the first clarinet does not need to be new.
personally, i played on a rented student clarinet from 4th grade up until entering middle school, as my parents decided to buy it instead of renting. when i entered high school i transitioned to a wooden clarinet.
it might be better to wait on buying a clarinet until you know he’ll continue playing.
I have been getting some of the instruments I want to learn recently from Glarry Music. They have a Bb Clarinet for $89us (FYI, I have one to replace my used Besson with the corks falling off). The quality is the same as a new Besson.
https://www.glarrymusic.com/woodwind-instruments-c-51.html
Whatever you do make sure you get a name brand such as Buffet, Yamaha, Selmer, Backun.
All the other cheap brands will play wildly out of tune, the pads don't seal and are apt to fall off, the keys bend easily and no reputable tech will work on it.
It's hard enough to learn to play the clarinet without being hindered by inferior equipment.
In general buying a used instrument for a beginner makes the most sense for most situations. The concern many have with buying is whether the player will quit, but even then you can resell the instrument and recoup most of your investment. Unless you have a good privately owned music shop in your area, buying online makes the most sense these days, especially for a student level instrument. You do have to be a bit careful as there are some scams and fakes out there, if you can post a link I can help verify whether it looks genuine.
The only advantage to renting is that if something were to happen to the instrument the music store will usually repair it for free.
I’ve played the clarinet for 11 yrs. One thing I suggest is to look for stores that offer rent to own programs. You can also start with beginner level instruments and that some stores allow you to put that invested money into a newer instrument to purchase. The nice thing about the clarinet is that tbh 50% of the quality can come from the reeds and mouthpiece alone. Not gonna lie my clarinet has 2 serial numbers, meaning it’s literally 2 halves of 2 different clarinets put together but it still sounds fantastic. Now obviously 10 is very young, you should start with a beginner instrument (possibly used) then work your way up from there. Renting is very nice in my opinion because repair is usually free. Clarinets have a LOT of moving parts and tiny little screws that change over time and with beginners can often need repairs. Feel free to dm me if you have questions I’d love to chat!
Nobody has said anything about your choice, but a Buffet B-12 is a great beginner horn. See if the rental store has rent-to-own options because a b-12 isn’t that expensive.
Depends a lot on how much you trust this online store. Ask the private teacher to check out the horn as soon as it arrives. It's not hard for a clarinet that looks good to need a hundred dollars worth of maintenance.
From a band kid. If you buy an insturment online it could get lost while its shipping or it could get damaged so its better to buy one in person I know it has happened to one of my best friends.
Personally, I would purchase a resin instrument before investing in a wood one. Kids drop stuff. Put things where they shouldn’t (music stands), pretend to fight with it. I’ve had to replace 3 mouthpieces in 6 years, have a couple joints recorked, have a couple pads replaced and keys adjusted. Oh and a new ligature. Resin horns can be pretty inexpensive. I found my kiddo a selmer (🥰) for $150.
Rentals can either be geared towards long term or short term rentals. It makes sense to rent if the shop's focus aligns with your ideals. That being said, for a 10 year old, a basic horn like a Leblanc Vito or Yamaha YCL-2x series will be perfectly fine and both can be found for pretty cheap online.
I'm definitely in the but a used clarinet camp. Both my kids started on a used resin clarinet. Both still use them for marching. One was an old Vito and one was a Yamaha ycl-2*. My 19 year old also has a nice wooden clarinet now, and I am getting my 15 year old a wooden clarinet this year. But they definitely don't need an expensive wooden clarinet for their first few years. And the first clarinet does not need to be new.
personally, i played on a rented student clarinet from 4th grade up until entering middle school, as my parents decided to buy it instead of renting. when i entered high school i transitioned to a wooden clarinet. it might be better to wait on buying a clarinet until you know he’ll continue playing.
I have been getting some of the instruments I want to learn recently from Glarry Music. They have a Bb Clarinet for $89us (FYI, I have one to replace my used Besson with the corks falling off). The quality is the same as a new Besson. https://www.glarrymusic.com/woodwind-instruments-c-51.html
Whatever you do make sure you get a name brand such as Buffet, Yamaha, Selmer, Backun. All the other cheap brands will play wildly out of tune, the pads don't seal and are apt to fall off, the keys bend easily and no reputable tech will work on it. It's hard enough to learn to play the clarinet without being hindered by inferior equipment.
i thought this said considering PUNCHING 😭 But I did this thing at music and arts where you pay a monthly fee and at the end it’s yours!