I Tried Playing the Electronic Clarinet ‘Travel Clarinet’!

Want to practice clarinet fingering whenever you like, whether at home or on the go? One instrument worth checking out is the TC1B Travel Clarinet, an electronic clarinet from Odisei Music. It looks compact, but how does it actually feel to play, and how easy is it to operate? This time, I tried playing the Travel Clarinet myself, drawing on my approximately 10 years of experience playing clarinet in a concert band! I’ll share my impressions from handling and playing it, comparing it with an acoustic clarinet.

The Moment I Picked It Up: “It’s Light!”

The first thing I noticed when I picked it up was just how light it was! While a typical Bb clarinet weighs around 800 g, the Travel Clarinet weighs approximately 400 g. That’s about half the weight—in fact, it’s even lighter than a 500 mL plastic bottle! If you usually play an acoustic clarinet, you may be surprised by how compact and lightweight it is. This lightness is a major advantage not only while playing but also when carrying it around. I felt that one of the Travel Clarinet’s biggest attractions is how easy it is to take with you when you want to squeeze in even a little practice while you’re out.

↑ The Travel Clarinet is on the left, and the PLAYTECH PTCL-200 Bb clarinet is on the right.

A Compact Case That’s Easy to Carry

Not only is the instrument itself compact, but the included dedicated case is also small. It’s solidly built, and even with the instrument inside, it seems like it would fit easily into a backpack or tote bag. Carrying an acoustic clarinet around inevitably feels like you’re “going out with a musical instrument.” With the Travel Clarinet, I felt it would be easy to take along with my everyday belongings. It also seems convenient for anyone who wants to practice during spare moments while traveling, on business trips, or after school or work.

↑ The included Travel Clarinet case is on the left, and the case included with the PLAYTECH PTCL-200 Bb clarinet is on the right.

No Assembly Required! Ready to Practice Right Away

One thing I found convenient when actually using it was that there was no need to assemble the instrument. With an acoustic clarinet, you need to apply cork grease and assemble the instrument, so some preparation is required before you can start playing. With the Travel Clarinet, you can start practicing right away simply by attaching the mouthpiece to the body. Even when you just want to practice for a little while, you can quickly take it out and start playing.

It is compatible with standard Bb clarinet mouthpieces, so you can also attach one you’re already accustomed to using. A mouthpiece, ligature, cap, and reed are included, which is helpful because you don’t need to purchase these items separately.

Compact, Yet Featuring a Full-Scale Key Layout!

What surprised me was how faithfully the keys of an acoustic clarinet have been reproduced. It also features trill keys, so you can practice not only standard fingerings but also alternate fingerings. What’s more, the ring keys unique to the clarinet have also been faithfully reproduced. When I actually played it, I was able to practice without noticing any major differences in how the keys felt to operate. Although it’s a compact instrument, being able to move your fingers in a way that feels close to playing an acoustic clarinet is a major plus.

↑ Clarinet-specific keys, including trill keys and ring keys, have been faithfully reproduced!

Less Strain on the Mouth

After trying it out, the thing that left the strongest impression on me personally was how little strain it put on my mouth. With an acoustic clarinet, you need to keep blowing while maintaining your embouchure in order to produce sound. The Travel Clarinet, on the other hand, works by detecting the air you blow into it with a sensor and producing sound in response. After playing both instruments, I felt that the Travel Clarinet put less strain on my mouth than an acoustic clarinet. This is a feature I’d particularly recommend trying if your mouth gets tired during long practice sessions.

Of course, the playing feel differs from that of an acoustic clarinet, so it cannot serve as a complete replacement. Even so, I think it’s a very interesting option when viewed as an instrument that supplements everyday training, such as fingering practice.

More Than Just Practice! Enjoy a Wide Range of Playing Possibilities

Another appealing feature of the Travel Clarinet is that it allows you to enjoy a wide range of musical possibilities, not just clarinet practice. By connecting it to the dedicated Travel Instrument App, you can use more than 50 different instrument sounds, including not only clarinet but also saxophone and flute. Being able to play the sounds of different instruments using your usual clarinet fingerings is one of the fun things about digital instruments! In addition to expressing dynamics through breath intensity, you can also apply pitch bend and vibrato by moving the instrument up and down or from side to side.

There are many ways to use it, such as playing along with your favorite songs or connecting it to a computer or Mac to use it as a MIDI controller. I felt that another great thing about the Travel Clarinet is that, in addition to practicing fingerings, you can enjoy playing in ways that are a little different from your usual acoustic clarinet.

Summary

After trying the Travel Clarinet, what stood out to me was how convenient it is: “It’s easy to carry around, and you can start practicing as soon as the mood strikes.” In addition to its light weight of approximately 400 g, it’s easy to carry thanks to its compact case, and all you need to do to get started is attach the mouthpiece. Its key layout is close to that of an acoustic clarinet, allowing you to practice standard and alternate fingerings. I also felt that it put less strain on the mouth, and you can enjoy performances unique to a digital instrument, including more than 50 different sounds, pitch bend, and vibrato.

Although it feels different to play from an acoustic clarinet, this is an instrument I'd recommend not only for fingering practice at home or on the go but also for anyone who wants to enjoy playing in a different way from usual!

For more details about the Travel Clarinet’s features and how to use it, we’ve also covered it in the article below. Be sure to check it out!

⇒ [Now Available in Japan] Practice Anywhere with the Travel Clarinet - A Comprehensive Guide

Odisei Music / TC1B Travel Clarinet