Clarinet Rental

What Is a Clarinet?

The clarinets are a group of instruments in the broader woodwind family. When you rent a clarinet from Music & Arts, you’ll receive a “B-flat” (or “soprano”) clarinet — the kind of clarinet most prevalent in concert bands, school orchestras, chamber ensembles, marching bands, jazz bands and other ensembles. The clarinet is a single reed instrument, meaning its sound is generated through the vibration of a cane or synthetic reed against a mouthpiece. A deeply expressive and versatile instrument with a sound that is recognized for its warmth, clarity and beauty, the clarinet serves both melodic and harmonic roles in ensembles.

Why the Clarinet Is a Great Instrument for Your Child

The clarinet is an excellent choice for children interested in music. It’s lightweight and easily portable, disassembling into five main parts that fit neatly into a compact case. Its relatively small key layout suits smaller hands, though there will be fingering challenges for beginners. The clarinet is also one of the most common instruments in school concert and marching bands, offering young musicians plenty of opportunities to participate and perform. Starting on the clarinet can also open the door to learning other woodwind instruments, such as the saxophone.

Is the Clarinet a Difficult Instrument to Play?

While all woodwind instruments can present challenges for new players, the clarinet is an accessible instrument that provides a great entry-point for band. To play it well, students will need to develop precise, consistent breath control and a firm embouchure (meaning the combination of a player’s lips, tongue, teeth and the muscles around the mouth). Students may also find some of its fingerings demanding, particularly when moving between registers. That said, its manageable size and rich sound inspire many kids to enjoy the instrument, and a young learner can make meaningful progress on a satisfying timeline with regular practice.

Renting a Clarinet vs. Buying

When considering a clarinet rental, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of renting vs. buying an instrument. If your child is already dedicated to the clarinet, purchasing may be the better route. For beginners, renting is a low-risk way to discover an instrument.

How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Clarinet?

Clarinet rental rates at Music & Arts are consistently affordable across the country, with pricing that varies by location and school. Special introductory offers make it even easier to get started. Considering that a top-quality student-level clarinet can cost hundreds of dollars, renting a clarinet from Music & Arts is a smart, budget-friendly alternative.

Clarinet Products and Accessories

A clarinet rental comes with everything your child needs to start playing, including a protective case, a mouthpiece and ligature, and a single reed.

Additionally, your child’s music teacher at school will recommend key accessories that you’ll be able to purchase during the rental process, as well as a method book.

To keep your instrument in great shape, we highly recommend adding the Giardinelli Clarinet Starter Pack. This all-inclusive, value-packed kit includes essential products that will help your child perform better and maintain their instrument.

A streamlined Giardinelli Clarinet Care Kit is also available.

Learn more about the accessories your child needs in this Buyer’s Guide.

Next Steps for Your Clarinet Rental

Private lessons: As the leading provider of private music lessons in the United States, Music & Arts is the perfect place for your child to advance their skills. Visit our Music Lessons page or find a store near you.

Continue renting: If your child is enjoying the instrument, you can extend your clarinet rental period with Music & Arts.

Buy an instrument: Music & Arts rental fees act as credit toward the purchase of an instrument. If you wish to buy a rentable, student-level clarinet, your accrued rental payments can cover up to 100 percent of the instrument’s purchase price. Buy early, before your rental term expires, to receive a discount of up to 30 percent.

Clarinet Rental FAQs

How do I rent a clarinet from Music & Arts?

You can rent online in just a few simple steps. First, visit our Instrument Rentals page. Then, search for and select your school. Choose your instrument, confirm or select your trial period, and add any method books or supplies. Finally, enter the student and renter information, choose your delivery method and complete the billing details.

What comes with my clarinet rental?

Your clarinet rental includes the instrument, a protective case, a mouthpiece and ligature, and a single reed. We also highly recommend adding the Giardinelli Clarinet Starter Pack containing key accessories you’ll need to keep your instrument looking and sounding great.

Will my rental clarinet be new?

Most rental instruments are like-new. We recommend renting a previously used instrument, as each one is professionally adjusted for optimal playability. A young learner with a poorly maintained instrument may struggle to progress. 

How long will it take to receive my rental clarinet?

If you choose Ship to Home for a clarinet rental, orders are processed within 48 hours and typically arrive within one to five days, depending on your location. For Pick Up at School, delivery is arranged by your child’s music teacher. If you select Pick Up at Store, the store will contact you when your instrument is ready — usually within 48 hours.