A student Bb clarinet is the standard first instrument for school bands. Resin and ABS bodies are common at this level because they are light, and nickel-plated or nickel silver keys are the usual choice.
The six clarinets below range from plain Yamaha, Selmer and Prelude instruments to kits from Eastar and Mendini with reeds, a stand and a case. Details come from each Amazon.com listing page. We have not played these instruments ourselves. Material and tone claims are the makers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Body material | Resin and ABS composite bodies are listed |
| Keys | Nickel-plated and nickel silver keys are common |
| Mouthpiece | Kits include a 4C or a plastic mouthpiece |
| Kit contents | Reeds, a stand, a case and cork grease vary by listing |
| Key listed | Check that the page says Bb, not A |
Specs at a Glance
| Clarinet | Body | Keys and mouthpiece | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha YCL-255 | Matte ABS resin | Nickel-plated keys; 4C mouthpiece | Barrel and bell |
| Selmer CL301 | Composite | Nickel-plated keys; hard rubber mouthpiece | Barrel and bell; listing fields conflict |
| Prelude 111 PCL111S | ABS composite | Nickel silver keys; plastic mouthpiece | Barrel and bell |
| Jupiter JCL700N | Resin (listed) | Nickel silver; case included | Key listed as A |
| Eastar ECL-300 | Ebonite (ABS bakelite per the maker) | Boehm 17 keys; nickel-plated | Hard case and gloves |
| Mendini by Cecilio | ABS per the bullets | Nickel-plated keys | Kit with 10 reeds, case, stand and extras |
The 6 Best Student Bb Clarinets
1. Yamaha YCL-255 Student Clarinet with Nickel Keys
A Bb clarinet with a matte ABS resin body, nickel-plated keys, a 4C mouthpiece, a barrel and a bell, with model number YCL-255Y.
Suits: a school band student. Strengths: a known maker and a 4C mouthpiece. Weaknesses: no kit extras are listed. Skip it if you want reeds and a stand in the box.
View Yamaha YCL-255 Student Bb Clarinet on Amazon
2. Selmer Student Model CL301 Bb Clarinet
A student Bb clarinet with a composite body, a hard rubber mouthpiece, nickel-plated keys, a barrel and a bell. The overview lists the material as stainless steel and a style of boom microphone stand, which are clearly listing errors.
Suits: a student model with a rubber mouthpiece. Strengths: a hard rubber mouthpiece. Weaknesses: the listing has wrong data. Skip it if you want a clean listing.
View Selmer CL301 Student Bb Clarinet on Amazon
3. Prelude by Selmer 111 Student Bb Clarinet
A black Bb clarinet with an ABS composite body, nickel silver keys, a plastic mouthpiece, a barrel and a bell, model PCL111S.
Suits: a first clarinet for lessons. Strengths: nickel silver keys. Weaknesses: no extras listed. Skip it if you need a full kit.
View Prelude by Selmer 111 PCL111S Clarinet on Amazon
4. Jupiter JCL700N Bb Clarinet
A traditional French-style clarinet in nickel, silver and resin with a case. The product name says Bb, but the overview lists the instrument key as A, and the page has no feature bullets, so confirm the key before buying.
Suits: a player who wants a Jupiter. Strengths: a case is included. Weaknesses: the key field conflicts and details are thin. Skip it if you need a confirmed Bb.
View Jupiter JCL700N Clarinet on Amazon
5. Eastar B Flat Ebonite Clarinet Beginner, Nickel, Hard Case Kit, ECL-300
A Boehm system 17-key clarinet that Eastar describes as made with ABS bakelite, with nickel-plated keys, double sheep casings, bladder pads, a hard case and gloves.
Suits: a beginner kit with a hard case. Strengths: 17 keys and a case. Weaknesses: mixed ebonite and ABS wording. Skip it if you want a school-brand name.
View Eastar ECL-300 Ebonite Bb Clarinet Kit on Amazon
6. Mendini by Cecilio Ebonite Bb Clarinet Kit for Beginner – Black
A black Bb kit with nickel-plated keys, 10 reeds, a mouthpiece, cork grease, a hard case, a stand, a pocketbook, a cleaning cloth and gloves. The title says ebonite, while the bullets describe premium ABS.
Suits: a beginner who wants everything in one box. Strengths: a long kit list. Weaknesses: the material wording conflicts. Skip it if you want a school-brand name.
View Mendini by Cecilio Ebonite Bb Clarinet Kit on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Check the listing for reeds, a case and other kit contents.
- Follow the maker’s instructions for assembly, care and storage.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying a clarinet listed in the wrong key.
- Skipping the maker’s assembly and care instructions.
- Choosing a kit for the extras alone.
Student Clarinet FAQ
Why Bb?
Bb is the standard key for school band clarinets. Check that the listing says so.
Does a kit include reeds?
The Mendini lists 10 reeds, and the Eastar listing mentions a case and gloves. Others list only the instrument.
The Short Version
For a major-brand student model, the Yamaha. For a hard rubber mouthpiece, the Selmer CL301. For nickel silver keys, the Prelude 111. For a case, the Jupiter once the key is confirmed. For 17 keys and a hard case, the Eastar. For a big kit, the Mendini.
