What Kind of Clarinet did Benny Goodman Play?
Benny Goodman’s Preferred Clarinet Benny Goodman, while very picky about his instruments, did not limit himself to just one brand of clarinet. However the makers he is most associated with are Selmer and Buffet. In his earlier career he played Selmer clarinets, and did some advertising for the company. Which model or models of Selmer he played has been widely discussed and while it is likely he played more than one model, Selmer’s website notes he played the BT model (balanced tone). Other reports indicate he later used the CT (centered tone). Further into his career he played Buffet clarinets, probably mainly Buffet’s highly acclaimed professional R13 model. An author who wrote biographical information about Goodman, said he had “a natural affinity for Buffet”. The Smithsonian, in it’s Museum of American History, displays a Buffet clarinet donated by Goodman’s family. It’s unfortunate there is no definitive list of what clarinet brands and models Goodman played since there is still a
