Our Story
“I wasn’t given the option to try different mouthpieces before buying, so I just bought the one my friend has.”
“So and so told me I have to play strength 4 reeds to get a good sound, but they’re REALLY hard for me to play and now my jaw hurts.”
“I just bought a new clarinet - it doesn’t feel great but the store said it’s their most popular, so that must mean it’s good?”
As a professional clarinetist and educator, these are just a handful of quotes I’ve heard from colleagues and students over the years. The DMV Clarinet Shop is on a mission to empower clarinetists of all ages to make informed, intelligent choices about the instruments and equipment that will help them thrive - (and avoid stories like these!)
Official DMV Clarinet Shop mascot, Lily, making sure these clarinets are up to snuff!
Our Beliefs
Zac West trying out a selection of Buffet-Crampon clarinets in Paris
All clarinetists of all ages deserve access to high quality instruments, accessories, and repair.
Instruments need to be set up by a master technician before they are tried and sold. Every single instrument we sell has been set up to play at its best from day one.
Each player has their own personality, and so does each instrument! No two clarinets, even of the same make and model, play exactly the same. Players must be matched to instruments that complement their natural playing tendencies by someone who understands the clarinet.
There is no one-size-fits all approach to instruments and equipment. Players need access to a wide array of products to find what works for them - not what works for someone else!
Students that are struggling against equipment that is of inferior quality or is not a good match for them are far more likely to quit the clarinet.
Owning a high-quality instrument should be made as accessible as possible through interest-free financing.
You should buy an instrument from a shop that earns your trust and respect through knowledge, honesty, and a healthy dash of good humor 😊.
What is an Affiliate Shop?
Rehearsing with friends for a free outreach concert!
Connecting and Educating my Community
I’d long dreamed of being able to have my own clarinet shop, but the cost of starting a business, purchasing inventory, and advertising was overwhelming. In came Lisa’s Clarinet Shop! They provide me with the inventory, training, and support to connect with and educate clarinetists in my community to the products I believe will help you on your musical journey.
Personalized Service
Let me guide you through the process of finding the perfect instrument, mouthpiece, or reeds! Simply contact me and we can find a time to chat about your needs and goals. I have a variety of instruments and accessories available to try and buy right here in the DMV, including (but not limited to) -
Buffet-Crampon clarinets
Vandoren mouthpieces, ligatures, and reeds
Direct Ordering
Maybe I’ve already helped you find the perfect reeds, and you’re ready to reorder. Or maybe you know you LOVE this mouthpiece and you’re ready to order it from me. Awesome! I’m proud to offer direct ordering through Lisa’s Clarinet Shop using the links below. The commission I earn from these sales helps support my career as an artist, educator, and arts advocate.
P.S. I know this guy you could email for some online ordering discount codes - you should totally reach out to him.
How to Order
There are two easy ways to order from the DMV Clarinet Shop!
For local pickup, local trials, or questions, please contact Zac.
For online orders, please use the links found under the Shop section of the main navigation page. These are custom links that will take you to fulfill the order online with Lisa’s Clarinet Shop, but will credit the DMV Clarinet Shop for the purchase and notify me to follow up with you and thank you for your business!
Gonzalez Reeds
Founded in 1983 by oboist Juan José González, Gonzalez reeds are made from the finest arundo donax grown on four ecologically sustainable plantations in Mendoza, Argentina. The cane is fertilized with only natural and organic products, and the resulting reeds are free from pesticides, herbicides, and agrochemicals.
Gonzalez offers clarinet reeds in several cuts, including Classic, FOF, and GD.
Classic reeds are a French style, filed reed made from a thinner blank (around 2.8mm). Available in 1/2 strengths.
FOF reeds are an American style, unfiled reed made from a thicker blank (around 3.2mm). The heart of this reed is particularly thick, and it has a thinner tip. These reeds take a longer time to break in, but produce a warm, full sound with lots of core. Available in 1/4 strengths.
GD reeds are characterized by a particularly wide blank, with a thickness similar to the FOF reeds (around 3.2mm). It has a longer vamp and more wood in the heel. Available in 1/4 strengths.
I have long been a fan of Gonzalez reeds, and invite you to give them a try! I can also create custom sample packs of different cuts and strengths for you or your studio - simply send me an email.
Gonzalez Classic Bb Clarinet Reeds
Select strength from the list below
Gonzalez FOF Bb Clarinet Reeds
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Gonzalez GD Bb Clarinet Reeds
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Shop Vandoren Products
Vandoren Clarinet Reeds
Vandoren offers clarinet reeds in several cuts, including the Traditional, V12, V21, and 56 Rue Lepic.
Traditional reeds are a French style, filed reed made from a thinner blank (around 2.8mm). They are extremely flexible reeds that produce a warm, characteristic sound. Available in 1/2 strengths.
V12 reeds are a filed reed manufactured from cane tubes with the same diameter as cane used for alto saxophone reeds. They have a thicker blank (around 3.2mm) and longer vamp than the Traditional. The longer vamp allows for more reed to be left in the tip, resulting in a deep, rich sound. Available in a mix of 1/2 and 1/4 strengths.
V21 reeds are similar to the V12, but with a narrower blank. These reeds are designed in the fashion of the old Morre reeds, with a particularly warm and focused sound. Available in a mix of 1/2 and 1/4 strengths.
56 Rue Lepic reeds are made from a thick and narrow blank (around 3.2mm) with a heel taper very similar to German-style reeds. These reeds have a very pure and even sound, and the strength gradations are smaller and more specific than with other Vandoren reeds. Available in a mix of 1/2 and 1/4 strengths.
Vandoren Traditional Bb Clarinet Reeds
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Vandoren V12 Bb Clarinet Reeds
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Vandoren V21 Bb Clarinet Reeds
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Vandoren 56 Rue Lepic Bb Clarinet Reeds
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Vandoren Clarinet Mouthpieces
Vandoren clarinet mouthpieces are the gold standard for commercially produced, affordable, professional-quality mouthpieces. Vandoren produces mouthpieces in a variety of styles and tuning, but to reduce confusion all mouthpieces listed below are American-pitch series 13 with profile 88 (the most commonly used combination in the United States).
It is highly recommended that you have an individual mouthpiece assessment before purchasing. I am happy to converse with you in-person or virtually about what mouthpieces would be the best fit, and am happy to offer trials before purchasing. Please contact me to set up an assessment and trial!
Vandoren Clarinet Ligatures
Vandoren clarinet ligatures are designed to enhance the reed’s vibration without causing damage to the mouthpiece. Vandoren produces primarily metal ligatures, as they do not dampen the vibrations of the reed like other materials, such as fabric and leather. I stock both the M|O and Optimum ligatures, which each come in a variety of platings.
It is highly recommended that you have an individual equipment assessment before purchasing. I am happy to converse with you in-person or virtually about what ligatures would be the best fit, and am happy to offer trials before purchasing. Please contact me to set up an assessment and trial!
Ligatures
Optimum Ligatures
Clarinets
Since 1825, Buffet-Crampon has been one of the most popular and respected clarinet manufacturers in the world. Known for their high quality and beauty of sound, all of our Buffet-Crampon clarinets come set up by a master technician to allow you maximum ease and freedom of expression.
Each Buffet-Crampon clarinet we get is color banded by a trained professional clarinetist to identify its natural playing characteristics. This color banding process allows us to match players to the instrument of their dreams with remarkable accuracy, taking the guess work out of the process and getting the clarinet of your dreams in your hands sooner!
Available in Bb in Grenadilla
Buffet-Crampon R13 Clarinet with Silver-Plated Keys
Available in Bb, A, and Eb in Grenadilla or Greenline Material
Buffet-Crampon R13 Clarinet with Nickel-Plated Keys
Available in Bb and A in Grenadilla or Greenline Material
Buffet-Crampon Festival Clarinet
Available in Bb and A in Grenadilla or Greenline Material
Buffet-Crampon Tradition Clarinet with Nickel-Plated Keys
Available in Bb and A in Grenadilla
Buffet-Crampon Tradition Clarinet with Silver-Plated Keys
Available in Bb and A in Grenadilla
After over 40 years in the business, Lisa’s Clarinet Shop owner Lisa Canning turned her expertise towards designing a line of budget-friendly, high-quality clarinets that play like instruments twice the price.
SeriO clarinets are a wonderful option for players looking for a professional quality instrument that won’t break the bank.
SeriO offers a best-in-class three-year warranty against cracks and an industry-leading trade-up program that allows up to 80% of the value of the instrument to be credited towards the purchase of a new professional Buffet-Crampon clarinet.
Bb Clarinet in Grenadilla Blend
Available in Bb, A and Eb in Grenadilla with a Grenadilla Blend upper joint
Available in Bb, A and Eb in Grenadilla
SeriO ClarO Low C Bass Clarinet
Available to low C in Grenadilla Blend