Best Patricola Clarinets

If you are in the market for a clarinet, then this article will help you with details on the best Patricola clarinets, what makes them great and much more information on each of the clarinets from Patricola.

I love the sweet notes of the clarinet and have spent much time testing some clarinets. I came across this Italian brand and was instantly impressed by the level of workmanship and the sound the clarinets made left me amazed. The company that I discovered was Fratelli Patricola and in this article I will share with you their best clarinets.

The Patricola clarinets only come with the French fingering system known as Boehm. The clarinets offered by Patricola are one model in E-flat that is CL.1, three models in B-Flat that is CL.2, CL.3, and CL.5, one model in A that is CL.4, and one model in C that is CL.7. Models CL.1 to CL.4 is available in two quality levels that are “virtuoso” and “Artista” With Artista being the premium product. CL.5 is only available as Virtuoso while CL.7 is only Artista. Model CL.4 and CL.5 are fully Boehm consisting of 7 instead of 6 rings and have 2 additional keys meaning they can extend their notes to a deep E-Flat instead of E. read on to learn more about these instruments.

Best Patricola clarinets-comparison table

Item	CL.1	CL.2	CL.3	CL.4	CL.5	CL.7
Type of wood	Grenadilla	Rosewood	Rosewood/ Grenadilla	Grenadilla	Grenadilla	Granadilla/ Rosewood
Level	Virtuoso/ Artista	Virtuoso/Artista	Virtuoso/ Artista	Virtuoso/ Artista	Virtuoso	Artista
Note	Eb	Bb	Bb	A	Bb	C
price	check here	check here	check here	check here	check here	check here

Best Patricola clarinets review

Patricola CL.1 Eb clarinet – Best for students

Key features

• Adjustable Boehm keys
• Silver coated keys
• Full grenadilla body

Patricola CL.1 Eb clarinet is made of aged granadilla wood curved to perfection using CNC machines. The keys are hand-made the same way they were made at the beginning of the company. This gives the clarinet the Patricola authentic look and touch as well as quality in the build.

This woodwind instrument is mostly used by teachers who want to teach their students the fundamentals and the basic techniques of playing the clarinet. The clarinet comes with an adjustable crowfoot which is easy to manipulate. This gives the students the chance to master bending of tones and intonation making the Patricola CL.1 Eb clarinet a very suitable piece to learn with. Patricola CL.1 Eb clarinet has an alternate Eb that helps improve the tone greatly. This is made possible by the perfectly crafted barrels and keys which are handcrafted and silver coated. This makes the keys very easy to clean and free from sticky dirt and germs. The keys are positioned on the body following standard parameters for clarinets. This means when you learn how to play using these clarinets, you will be able to play any other clarinet with ease.

Patricola CL.1 Eb clarinet has a lightweight making it easy for learners to practice for long without their fingers getting tired. The clarinet is also available in rosewood.

What we liked

• It has a lightweight
• Easy to play
• Good notes
• Offers note bending

What we didn’t like

• Mostly used by students so professionals shy from it.

Verdict

Patricola CL.1 Eb clarinet is a quality piece that students can learn with to quickly improve their skills

 

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Patricola CL.2 Virtuoso Bb Clarinet – Best for students as well as intermediate level players

Key features

• Silver plated keys
• 17 key Boehm system
• Grenadilla body

Patricola CL.2 Bb clarinet is another Italian design woodwind instrument that comes in either Virtuoso or Artista levels. The difference is only in the quality of the build even though both are high-end pieces. The clarinets are made of aged rosewood with keys having a silver coating. This polished wood and silver keys make it easy to clean up the instruments and also it’s not likely that dirt will stick up on the instrument, especially the keys.

Patricola has become famous for its adjustable key system which makes it very easy to manipulate and hit the right notes. They have included this system in Patricola CL.2’s Boehm system with its 17 keys. This has included the special E-Flat note adjuster making this piece very interesting. The keys are paired with a double barrel which helps produce deep notes at just the right intonation.

The positioning of these keys gives the player a good flow without any strain on the fingers. The barrel also has undercut holes giving this clarinet a good finish for hitting the right notes. The piece is a good choice for learners and professional players. It is a good piece for solos and orchestra play.

The piece is sold with a fine high-grade rosewood case that gives the clarinet that expensive look and it’s a good add-on for people with an eye for craftsmanship. It doesn’t come with a mouthpiece bud it is designed to take many models of mouthpieces giving the user a choice of what mouthpiece fits them best.

What we liked

• Double barrel for clear tones
• Has a lightweight
• Adjustable key system
• Compatible mouthpiece

What we didn’t like

• Doesn’t come with a mouthpiece

Verdict

Patricola CL.2 is a perfect instrument for students transitioning into intermediate level and with its quality, it will last a lifetime.

 

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Patricola CL.3 Clarinet – Best for European style orchestras

Key features

• B4 double barrel
• Silver plated keys
• 17 Boehm style keys with an A key

Patricola CL.3 clarinet is very popular among European orchestra players. It has that classy Italian design that speaks sophistication. This instrument has a B4 barrel and a new bell made of aged rosewood or grenadilla. Unlike other companies that dry their wood in kilns, Patricola natural dries their wood for 11 years to 13 years making this instrument to be crack resistant and last for ages.

The wood is cut to precision using CNC while polishing is done manually. The keys are silver coated and hand-made in Italy giving the Patricola the authentic classic Italian finish. The instrument has been made to include an A key to make it possible for the players to play A notes. The keys also have the Patricola key system which is adjustable for the player to be able to precisely play clear notes. There are 17 keys in Boehm style. The Boehm style has keys placed in a position that makes it easy for beginners to master different notes and intonations quickly.

Patricola CL.3 clarinet comes with a double barrel and has undercut note holes that enhance the quality of sounds played. It also incorporates special E-Flat levers that give the user the ability to change the output sound for different play settings.

What we liked

• Double barrel for deep notes
• Boehm key style for easy mastering
• Good quality wood used to make the piece
• Adjustable key system.
• Compatible with many mouthpieces

What we didn’t like

• Doesn’t come with a mouthpiece

Verdict

For players who wish to do the English style orchestra, this instrument is a worth purchase.

 

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Patricola CL.4 Bb clarinet – Best for orchestra and professionals who like Bb tuned clarinets

Key features

• 20 full Boehm keys
• Ab/Eb and G# lever
• Full grenadilla body

This clarinet is the best of the best in the virtuoso series. The body is made with select grenadilla wood sourced specifically from Mozambique. The wood goes through thorough scrutiny and only the best makes it to the production of this fine woodwind instrument. The wood is then highly polished to a shiny finish to give the piece a classic and elegant look.

Patricola CL.4 bb clarinet has silver coated full Boehm style keys which are a complete 20 keys set. The silver coating gives this piece an elegant look and is also admired for its resistivity to sticky dirt. By just wiping down the keys, you get that shiny mirror finish look. This clarinet has a special Ab and Eb lever to help the player change tones. This clarinet plays low Eb making the trickiest A notes playable with this clarinet. This piece also comes with a key for G# taking this clarinet a notch higher and a good piece to play in the orchestra by professionals.

Patricola CL.4 has two barrels that help produce a very rich sound. The barrels have been made in a way that they can hold any amount of air projected to them. It makes notes without having to put extra effort into blowing through. You can play this clarinet for hours without being exhausted. The barrel has undercut note holes that also assist in the quality of the sound produced by this clarinet.

Patricola CL.4 Bb clarinet comes with a case made from soft foam and plywood. You will also be provided with care products after purchasing this instrument. It is one of the most versatile clarinets you can own coupled with the beauty of good craftsmanship and that’s why it is liked by professionals.

What we liked

• Full Boehm keys
• Very good quality wood
• Compatible with most high-end reeds
• Very stylish finish
• Lightweight

What we didn’t like

• The case is rather cheap-looking.
• Doesn’t come with a ligature and cap

Verdict

It’s a totally worth instrument for advanced players who like to play solos.

 

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Patricola CL.5 Bb clarinet – Best for solo clarinetists

Key features

• 19 Boehm style key
• Gold and silver coated keys
• Grenadilla/rosemary body

Patricola CL.5 Bb clarinet is another piece from Fratelli Patricola that has finesse craftsmanship and sells at the high end. This clarinet is made from grenadilla wood sourced from Mozambique or Rosewood sourced from South America. The wood is then aged naturally between 15 years to 20 years. The wood is then treated and articulately selected such that only the finest quality woods make it to the CNC for production.

The keys are in-house made by hand and subjected to quality check before they can be fitted to the final product. The keys are then coated in pure silver but can also be available in gold at an extra cost. The coating is polished to make it feel soft and silky and also silver and gold coated keys don’t turn in color and dirt don’t stick on them which is a very desirable feature when it comes to cleaning and maintenance. It is also worth noting that bacteria and pathogens can’t stick or grow on these mirror-polished surfaces of the keys.

The Patricola CL.5 Bb clarinet has 19 French Boehm style keys which is a variation of the Full Boehm style that has 20 keys. This makes it very easy to master and since the keys are fully adjustable, producing those articulate deep notes is easily achieved. There is the Eb lever cleverly put on the left so that the player can easily manipulate as well as silver-coated thumb rests that make it comfortable to handle the instrument. There is also a G note key that completes the key setup for this clarinet.

It comes with a double barrel that produces very deep notes paired with the undercut holes. It comes with a high-end case and several maintenance supplies. Professional players use this clarinet for solos and orchestra plays.

What we liked

• Leather pads for good handling
• Compatible with many mouthpieces
• Includes a G note key
• It is light in weight
• Choice of wood and key finish

What we didn’t like

• Doesn’t come with a mouthpiece

Verdict

Patricola CL.5 is a rare Bb type clarinet that will give the player prefect manipulation of notes. Enjoy this piece in a solo or an orchestra

 

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Patricola CL.7 C clarinet – Best for professional players with a lot of experience

Key features

• Full 18 Boehm key system
• Gold coated rings and silver keys
• Artista level only

Patricola CL.7 C clarinet comes only at the Artista level. It is a high-end play piece that is made from grenadilla wood single sourced from Mozambique or rosewood specifically from South America. This wood meets Patricola’s standards after naturally aging for 15 years to 20 years. The wood is then hand selected and subjected to several tests like hardness and checking for hairline cracks. The result is a wood that is certified to resist cracks and that has a long life after being treated. After being cut and shaped using CNC mills, the wood is hand-finished and checked for imperfections before it is polished and finished off.

The clarinet has an 18 French Boehm key system. These keys also utilize the Patricola adjustable system which makes the keys easy to set and manipulate. The keys and levers are made in-house by hand using the same technique that was used by the company founders. The keys are then coated in silver or gold and then polished to a mirror finish completing the Patricola CL.7 C clarinet classic look.

This clarinet has two barrels of different sizes and a key lever for Eb which makes it easy to tune the clarinet differently. It comes with a quality carry case and a few maintenance pieces like a screwdriver and grease. It is made to fit several mouthpieces but doesn’t come with one. The clarinet is often used by students who want to gain more experience in advanced instruments as well as professional players.

What we liked

• It is lightweight
• It has a mixture of gold on the posts and silver on the key for that expensive look
• Quality wood used for a longer life
• Easy to play with the Boehm key system

What we didn’t like

• Challenging to play in tune since it’s a C clarinet. Needs more experience
• Doesn’t come with a mouthpiece.

Verdict

This the crème de la crème of Patricola horns. It is a quality instruments designed for the best clarinetists. With its vintage look and a sweet melody, it an instrument to behold.

 

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Buying guide for Best Patricola Clarinets

When buying a clarinet, you will need to consider its use first, whether you will use it for teaching or professional playing. This affects the price. Then you will need to look at your playing level as different setups may be challenging to play. You will also consider the material used to make the clarinet. Different materials will affect reliability and the quality of sound.

Then consider keys plating as you can get cheaper coatings and very expensive coatings. This can affect the life of the instrument as well as cleaning. Other things to check are the bore styles and the reed. Small variations in bore and reed can change how playing the clarinets feel. Different people prefer softer or harder reeds but the bore will determine the pitch of the instrument thus affecting the usage areas. Lastly, you need to know what tone of clarinet you need for your use. you can have A, Bb, S, Eb, and C clarinets, choosing from this is determined by the position that you are playing and also your level of skill.

What to look for

When buying a clarinet, look for a piece that you can handle comfortably without strain. Look for a piece with keys that you are comfortable manipulating and that you can master quickly. Do your research well on pricing as they don’t come cheaply. The build quality will determine the cost as well as the simple additions like extra levers and how the barrels are made.

Final Verdict, should you buy the Patricola clarinets?

Yes, you should invest in Patricola clarinets. They are of quality built and offer the user a very intriguing experience. They are brilliantly made with Italian design and ingenuity.

FAQs

Q. Do Patricola clarinets come with mouthpieces

No, they are not sold with mouthpieces. This is to give the user to experiment with different mouthpieces to see what suits them best.

Q. Does Patricola provide cases for their clarinets

Yes, the clarinets come in carrying relatively good cases and protect the instrument during transportation but you can always ask for a high-end case for your instrument but at an extra cost.