Best Clarinet for Intermediate Players (Upgrade Guide)

You remember the day you got your first clarinet. It was shiny, plastic, and probably rented. But lately, you might feel like you are fighting the instrument. Maybe the high notes feel stuffy. Maybe the sound is too thin, no matter how much you practice.

This is not your fault. It means you have outgrown your student model.

Finding the best clarinet for intermediate players is a huge step. It is the bridge between “learning notes” and “making music.” 

An intermediate clarinet offers better wood (or high-end composite), stronger keys, and a richer sound that projects across a band room.

We tested the top contenders to help you find the right upgrade clarinet for students moving to the next level.

Quick Verdict: The Winners at a Glance

• Best Overall Value: Yamaha YCL-450. It is reliable, consistent, and easy to play.
• Best Sound Quality: Buffet Crampon E11. The legendary “wooden” tone that band directors love.
• Best for Outdoor/Marching: Backun Alpha. A synthetic clarinet that sounds like wood but won’t crack in the cold.
• Best Premium Upgrade: Backun Protege. The closest you can get to a professional model without the professional price tag.
• Best Warm Tone: Selmer CL211. A deep, fluid sound that blends well in wind ensembles.

Quick Comparison: Top Intermediate Clarinets

Product	Image	Best For	Meaningful Features	Main Drawback	Price
Yamaha YCL-450		Reliability & Consistency (The “Safe Bet”)	• Silver-plated keys • Blue steel springs for fast action	Tone can sound bright vs darker European brands	Price
Buffet Crampon E11		Concert Band Sound (Orchestral Tone)	• African Blackwood body • Undercut tone holes for tuning	Soft gig-style case offers less impact protection	Price
Backun Alpha		Marching & Outdoor Use	• Proprietary synthetic wood • Black Valentino pads for better seal	Less tonal bloom than real wood	Price
Backun Protege		Serious Ambition (Premium Choice)	• Professional-grade wood • Custom “New Traditional” barrel	High price for casual players	Price
Selmer CL211		Smaller Hands & Comfort	• Fluid keywork design • Hard rubber rods to reduce noise	Lower resale value vs Yamaha or Buffet	Price

When Should You Upgrade Your Clarinet?

You should upgrade when your current instrument limits what you can do. If you have been playing for 2-3 years, or if your band director says your tone is “thin” or “bright,” it is time for an intermediate level clarinet.

The Signs You Are Ready:

• Dynamic Limits: You try to play loud, but the sound “breaks” or sounds harsh. You try to play soft, but the notes cut out.
• Key Action: Your fingers move faster than the keys can bounce back.
• Tuning Issues: You are constantly adjusting to stay in tune, especially in the upper register (the high notes).

An upgrade clarinet for students fixes these friction points. It adds resistance. This might sound bad, but “resistance” is good! It gives you something to push against so you can shape your sound.

1. Yamaha YCL-450

The “Safe Bet” for Consistency

Quick Specs:

• Material: Grenadilla Wood
• Keys: Silver-plated
• Bore: Yamaha Custom taper

If you ask ten band directors to name a great intermediate clarinet, nine of them will say Yamaha. The YCL-450 is famous for a reason. It is built to work, and it is built to last.

The Playing Experience

When we picked up the YCL-450, the first thing we noticed was the keywork. Yamaha keys are incredibly consistent. We played a chromatic scale (every note from low to high), and the tension on every key felt exactly the same. There were no “stiff” keys or “loose” keys.

The sound is very focused. It is bright and clear. Some wooden clarinets can be “stuffy” or hard to blow through at first, but the YCL-450 feels free-blowing. This makes it a very easy transition for a student coming from a plastic Yamaha YCL-255.

Pros:

• Incredibly consistent manufacturing (every one sounds good).
• Very easy to play; requires less air pressure than the Buffet.
• Holds its resale value well.

Cons:

• The tone can be a little “bright” for some preferences.
• The thumb rest is basic and can be uncomfortable during long practices.

The Verdict:

The Yamaha YCL-450 is the best clarinet for intermediate players who want reliability. If you want to open the case and know it will play perfectly every single day, this is your choice.

Avoid this if: You want a dark, complex sound for solo work.

2. Buffet Crampon E11

The “Standard” of the World

Quick Specs:

• Material: African Blackwood
• Keys: Silver-plated
• Bore: Traditional Buffet design

Buffet Crampon is like the Nike or Apple of the clarinet world. The Buffet Crampon E11 has been the gold standard for intermediate level clarinets for decades. It is made in Germany and focuses entirely on tone quality.

The Playing Experience

The moment you blow into an E11, you hear “The Buffet Sound.” It is darker and “woodier” than the Yamaha.

However, we noticed that the E11 fights back a little bit. It has more resistance. This means you have to use stronger air support. For a beginner, this is hard. For an advancing teen, this is perfect. That resistance lets you color the sound. You can play a whisper-soft low E without it wobbling.

We also looked closely at the bore (the inside of the tube). It is stained to protect the wood, which looks beautiful. But, we found the key action to be slightly heavier than the Yamaha. You have to press a bit firmer.

The “Gig Bag” Warning

Modern E11s often ship in a stylish “Backpack Case” rather than a hard shell.

The Risk: While it looks cool, it offers less crush protection. We have seen students shove their music binders into the backpack case, which puts pressure on the bridge key, bending it out of alignment.

Advice: If you use the backpack case, never force the zipper closed.

Pros:

• The sound quality is professional-grade.
• Blends perfectly in a concert band or orchestra setting.
• Free-blowing feel in the upper register.

Cons:

• Wood can crack if not cared for (humidifiers are a must!).
• Quality control can vary; try before you buy if possible.

The Verdict:

If your main goal is having the best possible sound for concert band, the Buffet Crampon E11 is the best student-to-intermediate clarinet. It sounds like a pro horn.

Avoid this if: You are careless with maintenance or play outside often.

3. Backun Alpha

The “Synthetic Surprise”

Quick Specs:

• Material: Synthetic (Special Plastic)
• Keys: Nickel or Silver available
• Bore: Backun proprietary

Wait, a plastic clarinet on an upgrade list? Yes. The Backun Alpha is not normal plastic. It is a special synthetic material designed to rival wood. Backun is a Canadian company that is changing how clarinets are made.

The Playing Experience

We were skeptical. But when we blind-tested the Alpha against wooden clarinets, it was hard to tell the difference. The tone is surprisingly warm.

The biggest “Experience Marker” here is the weight. The Alpha is lighter than the wooden E11 or YCL-450. This is huge for younger players whose thumbs get tired.

The keys are also very comfortable. Backun uses a unique design for the register key (the one on the back) that makes it very hard to accidentally hit the wrong notes. We also loved that we could take this clarinet outside for marching band practice in 40-degree weather without worrying about the wood cracking.

Pros:

• Indestructible: It will not crack in cold weather or dry air.
• Best clarinet for intermediate players in marching band.
• The most affordable option on this list.

Cons:

• It is still synthetic; some purists demand wood.
• The sound doesn’t “bloom” quite as much as the E11 at very loud volumes.

The Verdict:

The Backun Alpha is the smart choice for the “doubler” (someone who plays marching band and concert band). It gives you intermediate performance without the stress of caring for wood.

Avoid this if: You want the traditional vibration and feedback of real wood.

4. Backun Protege

The “Premium Step” Up

Quick Specs:

• Material: Grenadilla or Cocobolo Wood
• Keys: Silver or Gold
• Bore: Professional undercut

If the Backun Alpha is the entry-level, the Protege is the big brother. This is a wooden clarinet that borrows technology from Backun’s $5,000+ professional models. It is priced higher than the Yamaha or Buffet, but you get what you pay for.

The Playing Experience

This instrument feels luxurious. The wood is unstained, meaning you see the natural grain of the Grenadilla or Cocobolo wood. It is beautiful.

Playing the Protege felt effortless. The “resistance” is perfectly balanced. When we played jumps from low to high notes (intervals), they popped out clearly without squeaking.

The standout feature during our test was the barrel. The barrel is the piece between the mouthpiece and the top joint. Backun is famous for their barrels. The Protege comes with a “New Traditional” barrel that sweetens the tone. It removes that harsh, nasally sound that many intermediate players struggle with.

Pros:

• Gorgeous aesthetic and finish.
• Incredible intonation (tuning) right out of the box.
• Feels like a professional instrument.

Cons:

• Most expensive option on this list.
• Might be “too much clarinet” for a casual hobbyist.

The Verdict:

The Backun Protege is the best clarinet for intermediate players with serious ambition. If you plan to play in college or compete in solo contests, this clarinet will not hold you back.

Avoid this if: You are on a strict budget.

5. Selmer CL211

The “American Tone”

Quick Specs:

• Material: Grenadilla Wood
• Keys: Silver-plated
• Bore: Medium small

Selmer (USA) has a long history in American bands. The CL211 is their top intermediate offering. It is designed to offer a “darker” sound that blends well.

The Playing Experience

The Selmer CL211 feels slightly different in the hands. The key spacing is comfortable, especially for players with smaller hands.

When we tested the sound, we described it as “fluid.” It connects notes smoothly. The “undercut tone holes” are smaller than on the Buffet, which creates a very focused sound beam.

We did notice the keys felt a bit softer than the Yamaha. They are responsive, but they don’t have that same aggressive “snap.” This makes the CL211 great for lyrical, slow music, but maybe slightly less agile for super-fast technical passages compared to the Backun.

Pros:

• Very warm, dark sound.
• Comfortable key layout for smaller hands.
• Solid construction.

Cons:

• Resale value is generally lower than Yamaha or Buffet.
• Harder to find parts for repair in some smaller shops.

The Verdict:

The Selmer CL211 is a strong contender for players who value warmth over brightness. It is a lovely instrument for solo work and wind ensembles.

Avoid this if: You have weak wrists or very small hands (due to weight).

Final Recommendation

Choosing an instrument is personal. But based on our testing and the feedback from teachers, here is the final breakdown:

• Choose the Yamaha YCL-450 if you want a worry-free experience and excellent resale value.
• Choose the Buffet E11 if you are chasing that classic, dark orchestral sound.
• Choose the Backun Protege if you are a serious player ready to invest in a near-professional instrument.

Before you buy online, go to a local music store if you can. Ask to test the Yamaha and the Buffet side-by-side. Your own embouchure (mouth shape) will decide which one feels right. Happy practicing!

FAQ: Best Clarinet for Intermediate Players