Selmer Paris Clarinets - Which is Best? 

Recital 1:02 Signature 2:24 Privilege 3:47 Muse 5:10

Good stuff Alastair, they all sound great in your hands. I haven't experimented with any of them myself but for me the Muse is the one that I'd be up for, loads of bark and the smooth sound, with a big body.

Great playing Alastair. Yes I believe so I’m making great Clarinet before they made saxophones. - God bless you and yours good work - Bill - UK

Thanks Alastair. The Signature Who is played by Steven Williamson of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Todd Levy. Another leading American classical player they can make that instrument really sing and its internation is superb. It has some rays torn holes to help with intonation Needs to be tried. Bill. UK

I like the Signature the most with a heavier setup, like Vandoren blue box strength 5 and BD6, or the Pyne Williamson mouthpiece, such a wonderful sound. Not round like a Buffet or Yamaha, but very fun to play!

Errata should say raised tone holes helps intonation The register projects clearly too. Great for second clarinet too!

Can you also make a video about the Selmer Prologue Bb-Clarinet please?

The latest models from Selmer are great instruments so I hope they won’t get rid of the two older models. Stephen Williamson from the Chicago Symphony says that the Signsture is the best clarinet for him with great intonation and projection, although initially he found it not so easy. The Recital is as Alastair describes it large and wide, but has a flexibility like no other French clarinet I have ever played. It should appeal to “English. Style” players as feels like playing a Peter Eaton Elite or an old 1010 model. Alastair demonstrates these instruments beautifully and if I was interested I would travel to try them at Dawkes. Selmer make great clarinets for classical playing as well as jazz! It’s an “urban myth” that they are for jazz only! Thank you Alastair for another great video produced by Dawkes Music. God bless you all. Bill. Uk

Buying an instrument comes down to more than just sound, since cost is typically the first consideration for most of us. But removing cost from the equation, the Privilege with the better of this group. It indeed does combing the warm woody tones of the Recital, with the bright and airy sound of the Signature. The Muse, however, was a complete let down and I'd avoid that one completely. That of course, is only when comparing it to this selected group.

PS the Signature Which has been out for some time is a very sophisticated instrument I was brought up to believe that Elmer clarinets are the Jazz clarinets Probably because Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw played them. They didn’t play buffets later in their lives I have played R13 Since 1970 and have been prejudiced against Selmer Clarinets Most of my life and what I have found recently is that their reputation is unfounded. Alastair’s video is great But trying to play them all yourself is worth the effort you maybe astonished with what you find! Best wishes with your quest for perfection! - Bill - UK

Ops what’s the signature A clarinet like Thanks. Bill

They all sound great, but if I had to rank them, starting with the best sounding (in my opinion), it would be 1. Muse 2. Recital 3. Signature 4. Privilege

I vote for the Muse. Sounds the most like a Buffet lol.

Pls Alastair are you using a Selmer mouthpiece? Thank you

In all honesty Alastair, you never sounded so inspired on any Buffet clarinet you played. I think these Selmers, especially the Muse, suits you and your abilities better.

I like the recital and muse, signature is too bright and privilege has scooped mids.