Best Bb Clarinets (Boehm) for General Performance 2026
Perfect bb clarinets (boehm) for general-performance - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
GENRES & STYLES:
For Students
For Band
For Orchestra
For Jazz
For All Genres
For General Performance
#1
⭐
4.9/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
RZ Clarinets Solo Bb-Clarinet 18/6
by
RZ Clarinets
General Performance
Students
Band
Key Feature:
• Extensive repertoire available
✓ PROS
- • Most common clarinet type
- • Boehm system widely taught
✗ CONS
- • Competition in section auditions
- • Standard fingering system limitations
RZ Clarinets Solo Bb-Clarinet 18/6Bb ClarinetBoehm SystemProfessional modelMaterial: unstained grenadilla wood with...
⭐
4.9/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 589360
$8,248
#2
⭐
4.7/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
RZ Clarinets Capriccio Bb-Clarinet 18/6
by
RZ Clarinets
Jazz
All Genres
Students
Key Feature:
• Most common clarinet type
✓ PROS
- • Boehm system widely taught
- • Most common clarinet type
✗ CONS
- • Competition in section auditions
- • May require A clarinet for some pieces
RZ Clarinets Capriccio Bb-Clarinet 18/6Bb ClarinetBoehm SystemProfessional modelMaterial: unstained grenadilla wood18...
⭐
4.7/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 589359
$6,048
#3
⭐
4.8/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
RZ Clarinets Conservatory Bb-Clarinet 18/6
by
RZ Clarinets
General Performance
Orchestra
Students
Key Feature:
• Most common clarinet type
✓ PROS
- • Extensive repertoire available
- • Easy to find teachers and repair
✗ CONS
- • May require A clarinet for some pieces
- • Competition in section auditions
RZ Clarinets Conservatory Bb-Clarinet 18/6Bb ClarinetBoehm SystemModel for students and advanced playersMaterial:...
⭐
4.8/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 589352
$2,308
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
RZmagoo Clarinets Solo Hybrid Bb-Clarinet 18/6
Band
General Performance
Students
Key Feature:
• Great for all musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Boehm system widely taught
- • Extensive repertoire available
✗ CONS
- • May require A clarinet for some pieces
- • Common but requires skill to stand out
RZmagoo Clarinets Solo Hybrid Bb-Clarinet 18/6Bb ClarinetBoehm SystemProfessional model18 Keys6 RingsHigh-quality RZ...
⭐
4.8/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 589365
$10,118
#5
⭐
5.0/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
RZ Clarinets Conservatory Bb-Clarinet 17/6
by
RZ Clarinets
All Genres
General Performance
Students
Key Feature:
• Great for all musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Great for all musical styles
- • Boehm system widely taught
✗ CONS
- • Requires regular maintenance
- • May require A clarinet for some pieces
RZ Clarinets Conservatory Bb-Clarinet 17/6Bb ClarinetBoehm SystemModel for students and advanced playersMaterial:...
⭐
5.0/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 589351
$2,034
#6
⭐
4.5/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
RZmagoo Clarinets Bohema Hybrid Bb-Clarinet 18/6
General Performance
Band
All Genres
Key Feature:
• Extensive repertoire available
✓ PROS
- • Extensive repertoire available
- • Boehm system widely taught
✗ CONS
- • Requires regular maintenance
- • Competition in section auditions
RZmagoo Clarinets Bohema Hybrid Bb-Clarinet 18/6Bb ClarinetBoehm SystemProfessional model18 Keys6 RingsLeather...
⭐
4.5/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 589364
$7,258
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
RZ Clarinets Bohema Bb-Clarinet 17/6
by
RZ Clarinets
Band
Jazz
General Performance
Key Feature:
• Easy to find teachers and repair
✓ PROS
- • Most common clarinet type
- • Great for all musical styles
✗ CONS
- • Requires regular maintenance
- • Competition in section auditions
RZ Clarinets Bohema Bb-Clarinet 17/6Bb ClarinetBoehm SystemProfessional modelMaterial: unstained grenadilla wood17...
⭐
4.6/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 589358
$4,618
#8
⭐
4.4/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
RZ Clarinets Allegro Bb-Clarinet 18/6
by
RZ Clarinets
General Performance
Jazz
All Genres
Key Feature:
• Great for all musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Great for all musical styles
- • Extensive repertoire available
✗ CONS
- • Requires regular maintenance
- • Competition in section auditions
RZ Clarinets Allegro Bb-Clarinet 18/6Bb ClarinetBoehm fingeringProfessional modelMaterial: Grenadilla wood18 Keys6...
⭐
4.4/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 589354
$3,848
#9
⭐
4.8/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Selmer Prologue II 17/6 Bb-Clarinet
by
Selmer
All Genres
Band
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Extensive repertoire available
✓ PROS
- • Great for all musical styles
- • Boehm system widely taught
✗ CONS
- • Requires regular maintenance
- • Competition in section auditions
Selmer Prologue II 17/6 Bb-ClarinetBb Clarinet (Boehm System)17 Keys6 Rings1 Barrel: 64.5 mmSilver-plated key system...
⭐
4.8/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 596415
$1,935
#10
⭐
4.8/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Selmer Prologue II 18/6 Bb-Clarinet
by
Selmer
Jazz
Orchestra
All Genres
Key Feature:
• Extensive repertoire available
✓ PROS
- • Easy to find teachers and repair
- • Great for all musical styles
✗ CONS
- • Competition in section auditions
- • Standard fingering system limitations
Selmer Prologue II 18/6 Bb-ClarinetBb ClarinetBoehm System18 Keys6 RingsEb lever1 Barrel: 64.5 mmSilver-plated key...
⭐
4.8/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 600614
$2,198
#11
⭐
4.4/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Buffet Crampon E-13 Bb-Clarinet 17/6 Gig Bag
General Performance
All Genres
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Easy to find teachers and repair
✓ PROS
- • Boehm system widely taught
- • Easy to find teachers and repair
✗ CONS
- • Common but requires skill to stand out
- • Standard fingering system limitations
Buffet Crampon E-13 Bb-Clarinet 17/6 Gig BagBb Clarinet (Boehm System)Model: BC1102C-2-0GB17 keys and six ringsMade of...
⭐
4.4/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 616160
$1,891
#12
⭐
4.8/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
RZ Clarinets Bohema Bb-Clarinet 18/6
by
RZ Clarinets
Jazz
General Performance
Band
Key Feature:
• Great for all musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Extensive repertoire available
- • Easy to find teachers and repair
✗ CONS
- • Competition in section auditions
- • Requires regular maintenance
RZ Clarinets Bohema Bb-Clarinet 18/6Bb ClarinetBoehm fingeringProfessional modelMaterial: unstained grenadilla wood18...
⭐
4.8/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 589357
$4,838
#13
⭐
4.9/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
RZ Clarinets Dolce Bb-Clarinet 17/6
by
RZ Clarinets
All Genres
General Performance
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Easy to find teachers and repair
✓ PROS
- • Easy to find teachers and repair
- • Most common clarinet type
✗ CONS
- • Competition in section auditions
- • Requires regular maintenance
RZ Clarinets Dolce Bb-Clarinet 17/6Bb ClarinetBoehm System‘Plateaux’ rings (covered key system)Professional...
⭐
4.9/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 589356
$2,848
#14
⭐
4.8/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Selmer Signature Evo Bb-Clarinet 18/6
by
Selmer
General Performance
Band
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Most common clarinet type
✓ PROS
- • Extensive repertoire available
- • Great for all musical styles
✗ CONS
- • Standard fingering system limitations
- • Common but requires skill to stand out
Selmer Signature Evo Bb-Clarinet 18/6Bb ClarinetKey: BbBoehm System442 HzSilver-plated key systemWith Eb lever18 Keys6...
⭐
4.8/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 578221
$5,718
#15
⭐
4.8/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
RZ Clarinets Vivo Bb-Clarinet 17/6
by
RZ Clarinets
Jazz
Band
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Most common clarinet type
✓ PROS
- • Most common clarinet type
- • Boehm system widely taught
✗ CONS
- • Requires regular maintenance
- • May require A clarinet for some pieces
RZ Clarinets Vivo Bb-Clarinet 17/6Bb ClarinetBoehm System‘Plateaux’ rings (covered key system)Student/beginner...
⭐
4.8/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 589349
$945
How to Choose the Best Bb Clarinets (Boehm)
Budget Planning
- • Under $200: Entry-level
- • $200-$500: Intermediate
- • $500-$1000: Advanced
- • $1000+: Professional
Quality Check
- • Sound clarity & tone
- • Build materials & finish
- • Hardware durability
- • Overall craftsmanship
Key Features
- • Your musical style
- • Skill level match
- • Intended use case
- • Brand reputation
Frequently Asked Questions
Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced bb clarinets (boehm) typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.
