which ones are better (as in tone, and how easy it is to play certain note)

how long is a piece of string?

Wood, wood, wood! If you are serious about the clarinet, the only reason to hang on to your plastic clarinet or invest in one, would be because of an interest in marching band. Wooden clarinets welp in the heat and crack in the cold (plus, when you`re playing for an outdoor audience sitting some 75 yards from you, the difference in tone is not nearly as distinguishable. If you are trying to focus on ensemble, orchestra, or general "band" playing, a wooden clarinet is a must. Wooden clarinets (esp. the Buffet line) have a round, rich tone. Whereas, their plastic counterparts have a thin, "honking" sound (a plastic clarinet will produce qualities similar to a sax. While the sax is great, a sax is a sax, and a clarinet is a clarinet). Think about it. Wood vibrates, whereas plastic is rigid. The ability for air to vibrate is essential for a clean sound. Bottom line: wooden clarinets sound fuller, richer, darker. Plastic only benifits you in terms of marching band and durability.

Under normal circumstances I would agree, but being a whistle players, where air vibration is also key to getting a good note, I can think of many examples of good metal/plastic whistles and not that many of wood!

All in all, the same rule applies. Try a lot, and pick the best you think sounds right and that you can afford.

In my personal opinion if you are serious about continuing in playing the clarinet it is really worth buying a wooden one. I am blind and for the longest time I played a plastic clarinet. One summer my family put there money together and bout me an R-13 Festival for my orchestra and concert band performances. When I started to play it the quality change was amazing. The tone quality was a lot better. The notes seemed a lot more responsive and a lot clearer. The rich sound that I heard was amazing. So basically if you are truly serious about continueing to play clarinet then it is really worth the extra money put into the wooden clarinet. But like wise if you want to do marching band you really do need a plastic clarinet. Just try to think what you would really like.

wood. plastic clarinets need to stay on the marching field and NEVER leave from there.

didn`t we already have this discussion? its hundred or so more replys....

http://www.8notes.com/f/26_3241.asp?y=1&sterm=wood

enjoy!

SHANNA