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Re: Why are student clarinets easier to play?

Author: Chris P
Date: 2018-08-31 11:28

All clarinets should play as easily as one another in that you're not having to use excessive finger pressure to force pads closed, key fit is as good as it has to be (you can't have absolutely textbook key fitting on plastic clarinets) and everything is well set up and regulated so the instrument plays easily.

Although the difference between entry level models and pro level ones are what sets them apart. Just to scratch the surface, beginner level plastic clarinets usually have straight toneholes so the tuning is more secure note by note whereas pro level clarinets usually have tapered and undercut toneholes to allow more flexibility to the player.

There are pro level clarinets with straight toneholes and entry level clarinets with tapered and undercut toneholes, chambered bells, etc. etc. so not everything is set in stone.

But the important factor is all woodwind instruments should be just as easy to play over their entire range as each other. If that's not the case, then either have the problem diagnosed and rectified or look for another one that does the job - if anything is proving to be a struggle, then that's only going to cause frustration for the player.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.

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