Step Up Your Sound Sale › Clarinet
What is a step-up clarinet?
As your child grows musically, the right instrument makes a difference. A step-up clarinet (sometimes called intermediate or performance-level) is the bridge between a student clarinet and a professional one.
Most clarinetists are ready after two to three years of playing. A wood body, upgraded keywork and an adjustable thumb rest give them a warmer sound, more control and better comfort, keeping them motivated and confident.
How it helps support your child:
Holiday Step-Up Sale, through Dec 31:
Rental equity applies + an extra 10% off your balance · Special 0% financing*
What’s the difference?
Beginner
- Durable plastic (ABS resin) body
- Nickel-plated keys
- Fixed thumb rest
- Standard factory setup and pads
- Limited tonal color and projection
- Designed for early learning and basic technique
Student
Step-Up
Step-Up
- Grenadilla wood body (or a premium composite)
- Upgraded keywork, often silver-plated
- Adjustable thumb rest for comfort
- Hand-fitted pads and detailed adjustments
- Rich, warm, darker tone with greater dynamic control
- Built to support advancing skills and expression
Did you know that the material of the clarinet affects both tone and projection?
Dense grenadilla wood gives a warmer, darker, more complex sound than plastic, and it projects with more depth in band and orchestra.
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Is their current mouthpiece helping or holding them back?
The mouthpiece, ligature and reed shape so much of a clarinet’s sound. Consider a new mouthpiece! Ask us to try a few during your demo. You’ll hear the difference right away.
Key components to know
Here are the features that make the biggest difference on a step-up clarinet.
Grenadilla Wood Body
Grenadilla is a dense African hardwood prized for its warm, dark, complex tone. Some step-ups use premium composites that sound great and resist cracking.
Upgraded Keywork
Stronger, better-shaped keys, often silver-plated, that feel smoother under the fingers and stay in adjustment longer.
Adjustable Thumb Rest
The right thumb carries the clarinet’s weight. An adjustable rest, often with a neck strap ring, makes long rehearsals more comfortable.
Pads & Tone Holes
Hand-fitted pads seal more completely, and carefully finished tone holes help every note speak clearly, from low E to the clarion register.
Barrel & Bore Design
The barrel and bore shape tuning, resistance and tone. Step-up clarinets are designed for more even tuning across every register.
Pro-Level Touches
Two barrels for tuning flexibility, a left-hand A♭/E♭ lever, undercut tone holes and premium plating. Ask us which models include them!
Brands We Carry
Our stock rotates all season, so stop in or call to see which clarinets are on the floor right now. We carry step-up models from:
Buffet Crampon
Yamaha
Backun
Selmer
Leblanc
Eastman
We make upgrading simple
Choosing the right clarinet can feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. Here’s how to get the most from your 1-on-1 demo:
- Bring their current clarinet, mouthpiece and reeds to hear the difference side by side. We’ll start by warming up on the clarinet they have now.
- Play the same short passage on each: a scale, a few throat tones, some notes over the break and something they love. Make the instrument sing.
- Stay open on features. The clarinet that sounds and feels best matters more than any single spec. (Going wood? We’ll show you how to warm it up and care for it so it stays crack-free.)
- Listen from across the room, and bring their teacher’s notes (or their teacher!).
Book a time to playtest
Call or text
New Brighton: (724) 843-9380
North Hills: (412) 821-5908
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