Body Material

Most student model clarinets are made out of a resin material that is highly durable for beginning players and are especially good for marching band or outdoor concerts. Many intermediate and professional line clarinets are typically made out of select types of wood which produce a greater tone, improve the overall sound across all registers, and allow for more flexibility in playing styles. The most common type of wood is Grenadilla but clarinets can also be made out of African Blackwood, Cocobolo, and Rosewood.

Silver-plated Keys

Intermediate and professional line clarinets will often feature silver-plated keys as a higher end material for the instrument rather than nickel-plating which is common in student model clarinets. Silver-plating tends to last longer than nickel-plating. Most players prefer silver-plated keys for their stability and have less issues with fingers sliding off the keys.