One of the best I've ever played!
Alpha Bb Clarinet
Body:Premium Synthetic
Key Finish:Nickel
Configuration:Standard
Quantity:
We’re humbled to share that Backun has received Music Inc.’s esteemed Product Excellence Award, celebrating our commitment to designing and manufacturing affordable instruments built with unparalleled craftspersonship. Our profound thanks to Music Inc. and our exceptional dealer network for honouring Backun with this award.
Advance Your Passion
The Alpha Bb Clarinet is crafted from an ideal blend of synthetic materials for maximum resonance and lightweight durability. Designed to be the optimal indoor and outdoor student clarinet, the Alpha by Backun is at home in the classroom, on the concert stage, and on the marching field.
Please Note: The Alpha Bb Clarinet features slightly larger tenons than most standard-sized clarinets. Non-Alpha Bb Clarinet Barrels and Bells may need to be adjusted to fit. For any questions or concerns, please email sales@backunmusical.com.
Key
- Available in Bb or A
Approx. Weight
- 656g
Features
- Proprietary synthetic body
- Drop-forged and hardened key work with triple-strike plating in nickel or silver
- Poly-cylindrical bore
Mechanics
- Adjustable thumb rest with neck strap ring
- Traditional flat springs
- Removable left-hand Eb key (optional, only available in silver)
Pads
- Black Valentino synthetic pads
- Cork register pad
Includes
- Alpha 65mm Barrel
- Alpha Bell
- Backun Hardshell or Backpack Case (United States only)
- Backun Backpack Case (outside of the United States)
- Cleaning swab
- Cork grease
- Backun Warranty
- Mouthpiece Kit includes Backun Protégé Bb Mouthpiece, cap, ligature and reed
Alpha Clarinet
Features Gallery
Product Reviews
Customer Reviews
Overall rating: 4.9 / 5 from 280 reviews.
This clarinet appears to be well made and is priced very reasonably.
Well made instrument
Just what I needed for outdoor concert season! I was struggling to switch between my Backun MoBa, which I don't play outdoors, and my wood Yamaha, that I play during the outdoor season for my community wind ensemble and band. I missed the Eb key on the MoBa and the there is just enough difference in the tone hole placement I was fumbling every time I switched. Then there are the wild temperature and humidity shifts here in the summer and I was tired of worrying about my wood instruments. When I shared this with Morrie while picking up my MoBa after it's annual service he said "You need an Alpha". One was brought for me to try with silver keys and an Eb key. It turns out my clarinet instructor uses an Alpha in his studio as his back-up clarinet for teaching. We are both fans. Of course it's not a MoBa in tone or feel, but it is a really nice instrument for the price point and no more worries about envirmental shifts! Thank you Morrie and everyone at Backun for making amazing instruments and for being such lovely people.🎶
This is a great clarinet!
I have been waiting for while to try out the Alpha and I am blown away with it’s tuning, finishing and price.
Recibimos hoy 15 de noviembre el clarinete backun para nuestra hija, lo compramos directamente en sax on España, y una persona lo trajo hasta Colombia, actualmente la niña es clarinetista en un municipio de Colombia, llamado choachi.
The Backun Alpha is tough as nails whilst producing a beautiful sound. I wish all schools would give their students one of these, as it makes playing the clarinet enjoyable.
This clarinet has incredible polishing and sound quality. I'm impressed!
After a few set-up adjustments the Alpha clarinet as packaged plays very well. Switching to my traditional cocobolo barrel improved things even more. The sound opened up and became much warmer. Intonation is excellent and the instrument speaks from bottom to top with a comfortable level of resistance. In general, this will be a really reliable instrument for doubling, teaching, general playing and recording. I am very happy with this instrument.
I think my experience with Backun Alpha will significantly improve my musical performance
An instrument that provides accurate intonation and looks like a marvelous piece of art and technology. Its lightweight construction is a plus for long practice sessions, and the synthetic body provides confidence despite the weather.
The sound is very clear and keys respond very well. It came in optimal conditions.
So far I have enjoyed using my new Backun Clarinet.
I was looking for a reliable clarinet for doubling work. What I discovered after speaking with professional musicians with years of experience was Backun Musical Services has an incredible reputation and passion for producing world-class instruments. So, I decided to make this investment and I have to say, I am completely satisfied! My new Alpha Bb clarinet is amazing! I am blown away with the quality of the sound, the solid construction and the overall care with which this instrument is made. I look forward to enjoying this clarinet for years to come.
I was truly amazed as to how well this instrument plays. First and foremost...the tone...you can't tell that this is made of a synthetic material versus wood. The intonation, the keywork, the altissimo....absolutely incredible. This instrument is a MUST for any player who has to be outside battling the elements. This blows the competition out of the water!!!
Enjoying getting to know it. Over all I’m happy with it. I’m a student & still getting to grips with the upper registers. I look forward to sounding better in that area! It’s got a lightness about it which I appreciate. The silver keys are beautiful.
Just ordered it recently less than a month and received in 2 weeks. The sound clarity is high and very clear.
I purchased a used Alpha from a dealer on eBay, and I love it. I prefer playing on it compared to the old r-13 I was renting from my high school. Backun's manufacturing consistency is simply unmatched. The evenness throughout the registers, the tone, the ease of response, the tuning, and the robust key-work. Mr.Backun wasn't lying to us when he said it was designed to be so durable that you could play baseball with it and it would still function. The sound is nearly indistinguishable from much higher end wooden clarinets when using an upgraded barrel, bell, and mouthpiece. I wish my band program recommended these over Buffet options.
I am really impressed by this clarinet. I never expected a synthetic clarinet to have so rich a tone. Congratulations Backun!
Love that it comes with everything needed to start playing. Sounds amazing.
Store owner replied: Thank you for choosing Backun, Sharley! We hope you continue to love playing on your new clarinet!
This instrument was purchased as a spare to loan to students in my studio and also for my daughter to play when we volunteer team teach. Clarinet is easy to play and a solid instrument. Keywork a bit stodgy, but I have not yet had the instrument set up properly. The side Bb key bugs me every time I hit it. So stiff. Other than that, still getting used to the instrument. Do not prefer it over my Greenline R13 for outdoor gigs but that is to be expected, considering the level and price range. I love that the thumbrest is adjustable and that it has a strap loop. I also love that it is easy to play basic stuff and I think the beginner student will find it quite adequate. I wish it had more flexibility in tone and color, and that other barrels (including Backun barrels) would fit it. All that said, it fits the bill for a beginner and is a solid choice for that audience.
Store owner replied: Hi Carol, thank you very much for your recent purchase and for your feedback. If you continue to experience issues with the key work on your clarinet, we are happy to take a look at this through a submitted warranty claim which you can complete here: https://backunmusical.com/pages/warranty Regarding using other barrels on this instrument, since the tenons on the Alpha are larger than most tenons, a qualified music repair technician should be able to adjust a barrel to fit for a nominal fee. Thank you very much for choosing Backun, and if you have any additional questions or concerns that we can assist you with, please do not hesitate to reach out to sales@backunmusical.com at any time. Best wishes, Team Backun
Being a long time musician on other instruments but new to clarinet (& woodwinds in general), I did a fair amount of research before deciding on buying an Alpha. Although there are undoubtedly pros & cons to consider with any entry level instrument, the Alpha seemed to present the best overall package & would be something that I wouldn’t necessarily outgrow since Alphas are renowned for their playability, tone & being an ideal outdoor & backup instrument for higher level players. I was surprised to find out late in my research that the Backun factory was a mere 5 minute drive from my home in Burnaby, B.C. ! I was very much leaning towards purchasing a Backun regardless but buying from a local business is a big bonus to me. Always tricky of course evaluating an instrument when you are a beginner but I like what I’m hearing & feeling so far & was reassured by my new teacher Cathy (who has played Backuns exclusively for a long time) that the Alpha was 100% the right choice. I’m looking forward to learning on this beautiful instrument & hopefully exploring Backun’s higher end clarinets as my skills progress in the years ahead.
Videos I watched seem to indicate instruments were made at a manufacturing plant in Canada. Surprised to find out that actually made in China. Joints are very tight. Having said that it does meet all the standards that I was looking for.
Store owner replied: Hi Barry, thank you very much for choosing Backun! We are glad to hear that you are enjoying your new clarinet, and if you have any additional questions that we might be able to assist you with, please feel free to reach out to our team at sales@backunmusical.com Thank you and best wishes, Team Backun
After not having played the clarinet for forty years, I searched the internet for a student clarinet. I was aware of brands like Selmer and Buffet, but had never heard of Backun. After watching so many stellar reviews of the Alpha by professional clarinetists, I knew that purchasing it was absolutely the right choice. It arrived just the other day, and looks like an instrument costing many times the price. It has a very expensive look and feel, and the keys are solid and weighty. It is almost difficult to tell from wood. Though a newcomer to the clarinet after many decades, I can already tell the rich tone that it delivers. I thank you for offering a great instrument at an affordable price.
Store owner replied: Thank you for choosing Backun and for your glowing review, Wayne! We are thrilled to hear that you love your new clarinet! Best wishes, Team Backun
Excellent clarinet with nice tone. However, one issue I've noticed is that every time I play an "A" there is a clicking type sound from the spring. Is there any way I can fix this? It's a little irritating.
Store owner replied: HI Richard, thank you for your recent purchase, and I am sorry to hear of the mechanical issue with your new clarinet. Please visit this page on our website to complete a warranty claim for this issue, and a member of our team will be in touch as soon as possible: https://backunmusical.com/pages/warranty Thank you for choosing Backun, and please feel free to reach out to us at sales@backunmusical.com if you have any additional questions we can assist you with! Best regards, Brian
Beautiful to look at, amazing sound! Affordable, yet plays like a much more expensive instrument! Startlingly impressive! Product Review: I had never heard of this instrument brand until today, when I needed to replace my loaner clarinet to volunteer as a tutor with beginning clarinet students at my local public schools. I am rusty after decades of not playing, and my instrument, although still mostly playable, has a couple of failing pads, and is so difficult to play that I can’t be a solid example for the kids outside of the first 5 or so notes presented in Band Book 1. I walked into the “Mighty Quinn Brass and Winds” music shop just before closing, and they stayed late to help me find an instrument I could afford. I was wary when they brought out a Backun instrument. I did not want a cheap, low-quality instrument — there are so many new brands putting out junk instruments these days — but I humored them and tried out the Backun Alpha to be polite, expecting to go elsewhere afterward. Wow! The Backun Alpha turned out to be a beautiful, elegant, classy, matte-black instrument with brilliantly polished nickel keys. The synthetic body is smooth as silk, and pleasant to run my fingers over. It feels lighter weight than my borrowed clarinet, with an adjustable thumb rest, which will reduce my chronic wrist pain in playing. The ligature is a modern, high quality, synthetic leather that grips the reed more securely than anything I have used in the past. The tone is amazing: rich, warm, vibrant, resonant, and so easy to produce. I LOVE the sturdy storage case . It reminds me of younger days as a student myself, and it is a nice size. I can tuck it into my tote bag or backpack, or toss it in the back of my car, and not worry about the instrument getting injured. And as if that isn’t enough value for the money, they included cork grease, a luxurious microfiber swab with a pretty satin cord, and a top-of-the-line Legere synthetic reed, so it is playable literally the very moment it is in your hands. You could give it as a gift on a holiday, and your recipient would not have to sadly wait to play until they could go out to buy reeds and supplies. In simply changing to this Backun clarinet, I have gone from feeling like I would not be able to relearn the clarinet if my life depended on it to finding I can still play the full range of the instrument with very little difficulty, even at the highest notes. I am excitedly looking forward to nurturing the next generation of musicians, while renewing my own skills, at long last.
Store owner replied: Thank you for your glowing review of the Alpha Bb Clarinet, Frances! We are thrilled to hear that you are loving your new clarinet! Best wishes, Team Backun
I think this is an excellent instrument for the price. Better than any other student instrument I am familiar with. I bought it to use when it is too cold to use my professional wooden instrument. Only quibbles are that the spring tensions seem set too high and that I think the rings and maybe the G# and upper C and C# keys at low end of the instrument could be set a bit lower. Oh, and the upper tenon is bit wider than normal for some reason, and needs to be filed down slightly to use with other barrels. I enjoy playing this instrument, which I can't say for other student instruments I have tried.
Store owner replied: Hi David, thank you very much for choosing Backun! I am sorry to hear of the mechanical issues you are experiencing with this clarinet. We'd be more than happy to take a look at this, if you'd like to visit our website to complete a warranty claim: https://backunmusical.com/pages/warranty If you have any additional questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to let us know at sales@backunmusical.com, and once again, thank you for choosing Backun! Best regards, Brian
I have never purchased a Backun product until now. A student damaged an old, school-issued Bundy beyond repair and I decided to take a chance on Backun. My initial play testing of it makes this trumpet-playing middle school band and orchestra teacher sound good! I look forward to trying more Backun products in the future.
Tried using the school's clarinet to tutor new clarinet students. Was having a difficult time, but decided to purchase my own instrument. Haven't owned a working clarinet in more than 25 years and haven't played in 50 (since college). Love this instrument!
Een onderhoudsvriendelijk goed klinkende en makkelijk bespeelbare klarinet. Mijn eerste indruk is erg positief als ik hem vergelijk met met mijn oude klarinet (Buescher 400 special) De tonen zijn genuanceerder en hij is licht en vergt minder onderhoud Echter het is nog te vroeg om een definitief oordeel te geven
Highly recommended- great for learners!
Good for a student model that can be played in all temperatures. The tone is pretty good, especially with a Lumiere barrel. The silver plated keys are a good option as I am allergic to nickel. I am disappointed because after just two months of playing the right F/C key sticks closed.
Store owner replied: Hi Barbara, thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We'd love to work with you to find a solution to your issue, so for further assistance, please visit our website to complete a warranty claim. A member of our team will be in touch as soon as possible: https://backunmusical.com/pages/warranty Thank you for choosing Backun, and if you ever have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to get in touch with our experts at sales@backunmusical.com.
My daughter loves the feel and play of her clarinet. First played one when here high school got a grant and bought a few clarinets. Once she played one she immediately asked for us to buy her her own. Which we did. Great purchase.
Love the Alpha Clarinet! I compared student model clarinets online for a long period of time, and finally decided to buy a Backun Alpha. It is lighter than my old clarinet and easier to play with every little resistance. Intonation is also great. Sound quality and tone color are much better than my old clarinet.
I’m primarily a tenor saxophonist with over 15 years on the horn, looking to double on clarinet, which was my first instrument. This clarinet is great! It speaks easily, loud or soft, and it’s almost too easy to play. I will say that when playing with the included reed, I was very flat, which wasn’t happening on my other clarinet, a Giardinelli horn. The intonation improved when I put a harder reed on it though, so perhaps it could be my own skill. I’m very happy with my purchase.
I'm a lifelong player in my 50's and have been searching for a composite instrument that I can travel with that also facilitates ease in Altissimo... and this clarinet does all that and more! I love my Backun!
Hey...this Alpha, Bacun Canada, clarinet is just amazing. What I love about it is the tone, the intonation, and the smooth key action. My confidence level has gone way up because I know the instrument delivers so consistently. It also looks great. Helene
Sounds Great
My original clarinet was a hand-me-down that is unable to be repaired much longer. My mom, a clarinetist herself, bought me the Backun Alpha as a surprise prior to a huge marching band trip this year. It's a beautiful clarinet with a beautiful sound. In one practice, it has already improved my tone and ability to play. I had a difficult time at times with my old clarinet due to the position of the thumb rest, as I have smaller hands. The adjustable thumb rest on the Alpha made a huge difference in my hand positioning, and I am still dialing it in. The included mouthpiece and ligature have a nice feel and I was able to improve my embouchure almost instantly. I paired it with the Legere European Cut synthetic reed in 3.0 and the Vandoren 3.0 reed the first night. The Legere paired amazingly and had a really nice tone with the Alpha. The included hard case will be perfect for travel. I could not be more excited to continue my music career with this beautiful clarinet. I love it!