OQAN OCL-350 - Bb Clarinet for Students
The OQAN OCL-350 is a Bb clarinet designed specifically for students and beginner musicians seeking a reliable instrument with quality sound and excellent value. Made from durable, high-performance materials, this clarinet provides a solid foundation for musical learning, ensuring a comfortable playing experience and steady progression from the very first notes.
The body of the OCL-350 is constructed from hard rubber with an elegant satin finish. This material, also known as ebonite, is highly valued in student clarinets for its exceptional resistance to changes in temperature and humidity, unlike wood. This stability prevents cracking and minimizes the need for frequent adjustments, allowing the student to fully concentrate on their technique and musicality. Furthermore, hard rubber provides a warm, focused tone with balanced resonance, very close to that of higher-end wooden instruments.
The clarinet's mechanism features 17 keys and 6 rings with a silver-plated nickel finish, which not only provides a refined aesthetic but also ensures a quick mechanical response and remarkable durability under continuous use. The fingering is smooth and ergonomic, facilitating the execution of technical passages and complex scales as the clarinetist progresses in their learning.
Main features
-
Bb tuning: The standard key for clarinets, ideal for marching bands, orchestras and instrument classes.
-
Satin Hard Rubber Body: Offers great durability, tonal stability and resistance to environmental variations, eliminating the maintenance concerns required by wooden bodies.
-
Nickel-plated keys: The 17-key, 6-ring mechanism is built to last, providing precise and comfortable finger action.
-
High-Quality Pisoni Pads: Equipped with pads from the prestigious Italian brand Pisoni, guaranteeing a perfect seal around the ears. This results in easier sound production, more precise tuning, and greater clarity in every note.
-
Complete Accessory Kit: The OCL-350 comes ready to play from day one, including a mouthpiece with its ligature and cap, cork grease, a cleaning cloth and a hard case with straps for safe and convenient transport.
Benefits for the student clarinetist
The OQAN OCL-350 is designed to ease the path for the aspiring musician. Its robust construction makes it a low-maintenance instrument, ideal for everyday use and transport to lessons or rehearsals. The ease of sound production, thanks to the Pisoni pads and its overall design, allows the student to produce a pleasing sound from the start, increasing motivation and encouraging regular practice. The combination of quality materials ensures that the instrument is not only durable but also accompanies the musician through various stages of their musical development.
Use cases
This clarinet is the perfect choice for students starting out in music schools, conservatories, or school bands. Its robust construction makes it ideal for educational settings, while its sound quality allows it to be used in first auditions, concerts, and recitals. It is also an excellent second instrument for musicians who need a reliable and durable alternative for playing outdoors or in variable weather conditions, where a wooden clarinet might be at risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it difficult to assemble the clarinet for the first time?
No, assembly is simple. It's important to apply a small amount of the included cork grease to the cork dowels so that the different sections of the body fit together smoothly. It's recommended to turn the pieces carefully when assembling them, without forcing the keys.
How should I clean the clarinet after playing?
After each use, it's essential to wipe the inside of all sections of the clarinet with a cleaning cloth to remove any accumulated moisture. This prevents dirt buildup and keeps the pads in good condition. It's also advisable to clean the keys on the outside with a soft cloth to remove any fingerprints.
Does hard rubber significantly affect the sound compared to wood?
While professional grenadilla wood clarinets have a distinct resonance and tonal complexity, the OCL-350's high-quality hard rubber produces a surprisingly warm and rich tone. For a student, the difference is minimal, and the advantages in durability and stability far outweigh the subtle sonic differences.
Do I need to buy any additional accessories to get started?
The OQAN OCL-350 includes everything you need to start playing: mouthpiece, ligature, cap, grease, and case. The only thing you'll need to buy separately are the reeds, as they are a very personal consumable that depends on the player's preference and skill level.
Project description
Bb clarinet with a satin-finished, hard rubber body. Boehm system with 17 keys and 6 rings, made of nickel-plated metal. The instrument is equipped with high-quality Pisoni pads to ensure an optimal seal. It comes with a mouthpiece, ligature, mouthpiece protector, cork grease, cleaning cloth, and a hard carrying case with backpack straps.
