Bass Clarinets

Best Sellers

Yamaha YCL-221 Student Bass Clarinet With Low Eb
Top Seller
Yamaha YCL-221 Student Bass Clarinet With Low Eb
2,999.99
BACKUN Backun Alpha Low C Synthetic Bass Clarinet with Silver Plated Keys, 2-Piece Neck, Hardshell Case
BACKUN Backun Alpha Low C Synthetic Bass Clarinet with Silver Plated Keys, 2-Piece Neck, Hardshell Case
4,485.00
BACKUN Backun Alpha Low C Synthetic Bass Clarinet with Nickel Plated Keys, 2-Piece Neck, Backpack Case
BACKUN Backun Alpha Low C Synthetic Bass Clarinet with Nickel Plated Keys, 2-Piece Neck, Backpack Case
4,230.00
BACKUN Backun Alpha Low Eb Synthetic Bass Clarinet with Nickel Plated Keys with Lyre Holder, 2-Piece Neck, Compact Hardshell Case
BACKUN Backun Alpha Low Eb Synthetic Bass Clarinet with Nickel Plated Keys with Lyre Holder, 2-Piece Neck, Compact Hardshell Case
3,180.00
Buffet Tosca Bass Clarinet
Buffet Tosca Bass Clarinet
18,755.00
Jupiter JBC1000N Bass Clarinet
Jupiter JBC1000N Bass Clarinet
3,424.00
BACKUN Backun Q Series Low C Bass Clarinet in Cocobolo with Gold Plated Posts and Silver Plated Keys, 2-Piece Neck, Marcus Bonna Compact Case
BACKUN Backun Q Series Low C Bass Clarinet in Cocobolo with Gold Plated Posts and Silver Plated Keys, 2-Piece Neck, Marcus Bonna Compact Case
12,355.00
BACKUN Backun Q Series Low C Bass Clarinet in Grenadilla with Silver Plated Keys, 2-Piece Neck, Marcus Bonna Compact Case
BACKUN Backun Q Series Low C Bass Clarinet in Grenadilla with Silver Plated Keys, 2-Piece Neck, Marcus Bonna Compact Case
10,015.00
BACKUN Backun Alpha Low Eb Synthetic Bass Clarinet with Silver Plated Keys with Lyre Holder, 2-Piece Neck, Backpack Case
BACKUN Backun Alpha Low Eb Synthetic Bass Clarinet with Silver Plated Keys with Lyre Holder, 2-Piece Neck, Backpack Case
3,375.00
RZ Clarinets Bass Clarinet
RZ Clarinets Bass Clarinet
12,234.14
Buffet 1180 Student Bass Clarinet
Buffet 1180 Student Bass Clarinet
9,093.00
Leblanc Model 60 Bass Clarinet
Leblanc Model 60 Bass Clarinet
7,829.00
Buffet Greenline 1193 Prestige Low C Bass Clarinet
Buffet Greenline 1193 Prestige Low C Bass Clarinet
16,226.00
Selmer 1430LP Bb Bass Clarinet
Selmer 1430LP Bb Bass Clarinet
3,049.00
Buffet 1193 Prestige Low C Bass Clarinet
Buffet 1193 Prestige Low C Bass Clarinet
16,226.00
Selmer Paris Model 65 Professional Low Eb Bass Clarinet
Selmer Paris Model 65 Professional Low Eb Bass Clarinet
15,679.00
Selmer Paris Model 41 Contrabass Clarinet
Selmer Paris Model 41 Contrabass Clarinet
43,499.00
Selmer Paris Model 67 Professional Low C Bass Clarinet
Selmer Paris Model 67 Professional Low C Bass Clarinet
17,319.00
Yamaha YCL-622II Low C Professional Bass Clarinet
Yamaha YCL-622II Low C Professional Bass Clarinet
12,128.99
Yamaha YCL-621 Low Eb Professional Bass Clarinet
Yamaha YCL-621 Low Eb Professional Bass Clarinet
10,678.99
Buffet 1183 Prestige Low Eb Bass Clarinet
Buffet 1183 Prestige Low Eb Bass Clarinet
14,823.00

Bass Clarinets for Sale

What Is a Bass Clarinet? How Does a Bass Clarinet Sound?

The bass clarinet is one of the largest and lowest-pitched members of the clarinet family, itself a branch of the broader woodwind family. Renowned for its warm and woody tone, it adds a deep, rich harmonic and melodic voice to orchestras, concert bands, wind ensembles and chamber groups. The bass clarinet often doubles or blends with other low-register instruments in an orchestra or band, and can be used by composers and ensembles to provide a shadowy, spectral texture. It can also be a compelling solo instrument. In classical performance settings, the instrument is typically played while seated, with a floor peg providing support.

In addition, the bass clarinet has carved out a fascinating niche in jazz. There, its sound has provided a dark and supple color in ensemble playing and a distinctively full-bodied voice for soloists like the legendary Eric Dolphy.

What Is the Difference Between the Bass Clarinet and the Bb Soprano Clarinet?

Like the standard Bb soprano clarinet common in school bands, the bass clarinet is a single-reed instrument in the woodwind family; this means it produces sound when a reed — a thin piece of cane or synthetic material — vibrates against a mouthpiece. The bass clarinet is a much larger instrument than the Bb soprano clarinet, with a curved metal neck, a long body and an upturned metal bell. Bass clarinets are pitched in Bb, like the standard soprano clarinet, though the bass clarinet plays an octave lower than the soprano.

Do bass clarinetists also play other instruments?

While some musicians specialize in the bass clarinet, the instrument is often played by doublers who perform on other woodwinds like clarinets and saxophones.

Shopping for a Bass Clarinet

Discover a wide selection of bass clarinets for sale online at Music & Arts, with the best deals on bass clarinets for students and professionals alike.

Models for students and intermediate players are often made of the polymer ABS resin, which offers enhanced durability and solid tone. Advanced and professional models are typically crafted using grenadilla, or African blackwood, an extremely dense wood prized for its gorgeous resonance and physical beauty. Our selection includes bass clarinets with extended range down to low C, as well as the contrabass clarinet.

Bass Clarinet Buying FAQs

Are there bass clarinets suitable for new players?