My daughter is in 6th grade and she is in band for the first time. She has a good head on her shoulders and is very smart and strong minded. I got her an New E11 Buffet Clarinet. I am not a music person, so please tell me if if the E11 Buffet Clarinet is wooden, and is this the right clarinet for her?

Yes the Buffet E-11 is a wooden clarinet, so it will take more care than a plastic. And is sensitive to change in temperature (do not play in the blazing hot sun, and wait a few minutes before she plays the clarinet in the winter so the clarinet can get used to the room temperature).

You probably should`ve gotten her a plastic one instead incase she decides she doesn`t want to continue the clarinet before high school. It would save you money buying a plastic clarinet until she moves on to high school or until you believe she`s "ready" to care for one. That way if she says you to "I don`t like the clarinet" after a year, it would be a waste of money.

I hope I helped! Good luck!

I would have to agree with Omar that the E11 is a pretty nice clarinet for a beginner. But, she may become the upcoming generation`s leading clarinetist...
If she does any kind of marching band (which is kind of unlikely for someone of her age) it would be best to get a cheap plastic clarinet (sometimes it rains, and the temp. can be unpredictable, not to mention how carelessly instruments are treated ).

Depending on how well you trust that your daughter treats the clarinet well, it might be best to pop for yet another clarinet, and sell the E11 for a depreciated price, or hang onto it in case she does indeed like the instrument.

Best of luck!

The Buffet E11 is a fine, wooden clarinet. However, I agree with the replies. If she doesn`t like band, it might be a waste of money. Also, she might treat it badly(plastic is impervious to temp. change and can stand weather usually).
If she does enjoy band, buy her a plastic one for marching band.

I am grade 5(in clarinet) now and I recently bought an E11. it is a geat instrument but it helps if you first start on a plastic clarinet as you learn to care for it. The Buffet B10 and B12 are great student models. For now it is important to play the instrument in for the first month or so to allow it to get used to the changes in humidity assosiated with playing to prevent cracking. Play on it for 15min the first week, 30 min 2nd week, 45min 3rd week and 1 hour 4ht week. and never play in very hot or cold conditions, hope this helps.