the C clarinet is common enough in the orchestra. Mahler scores for it and so does Richard Strauss in his operas, and many others.

at the risk of soundind really thick - does the c clarinet use the same fingering as the Bb? And roughly what is the price range? (looking for a cheap one to prevent the need to transpose everything for church youth band!)

The fingering is the same as the B flat. The cheapest known brand I`ve seen is a Buffet E11 for $1,200. I`ve seen an Amati C clarinet for about $500, but I never have played this particular brand. I don`t know how good (or bad) Amati clarinets are.

I know how that is, abi. Forutuantly, Bb is only 1 step up, so I could survive with a tenor, but when it broke, and I got out my Eb alto... i got a lot better a transposing and playing. But, I got sick of it and got a c-Melody. Just my little story, hope you don`t mind me posting this here instead of with the saxes!

I have been reading the thread on the C clarinet with interest. If any one is interested I have designed a C clarinet I think you will be very impressed with. It tunes as well as any Bb clarinet, the tone is not shrill and bright, but very round and sweet. I designed it to use the standard Bb mouthpiece, not a C mouthpiece. It is true, there are some C clarinets that require the use of a special mouthpiece, but that is because of particular acoustical design, not because all C clarinets really play better with a C mouthpiece; it depends upon the design. The thing I like most about the C is how effortless the phrasing is and how even and efficient the resistance. It`s much more fun to play than the Bb and gives you a lot more freedom musically.
All the bad things you heard about the C is mostly because of bad design. If the C is designed well it can be superior to the Bb in most every respect, with a lighter and much sweeter tone, especially in the high register.
The C clarinet has a thousand uses. The only down side is once you get one that is truly good and play it you don`t want to play the Bb any more.
Tom Ridenour

You have a website or anything we can look at?