After getting the basics down and arriving at a decent level of proficiency, this is the time to move up to a wood clarinet. Parents your young student will be able to tell the difference from their beginning instrument right away. The O'Malley "Elite" model will give you all of the benefits of a much more expensive instrument. Included with the clarinet is a professional mouthpiece with Rovner ligature. Two barrels are also included. The clarinet is Ebony black African Grenadilla. The "Elite" has a sleek appearance as well. You will go a long way with this fine instrument .