Hi.
My daughter is just about to start clarinet lessons. I have bought her one on ebay (a Buffet B12 I think) and I know that as soon as it arrives she will want to get going on it.
Trouble is, I'm a string player, I wouldn't even know how to put it together! I just wondeed if anyone had any tips for how to encourage her regarding blowing and embouchure and things, as I don't want bad habits to develop before she's even begun!
Or should we leave it in its case until the first lesson.........?

I was told quite clearly after getting my first clarinet (all those years ago ) to leave it in its case until my first lesson. It is best for a teacher to make sure bad habits do not develop, and that all the correct things are being done with regard to instrument care etc. That is my advice. Wait for her teacher to say what to do.

Yes, I'd agree. I know it's SO tempting to have a go, but particularly if you don't know anything about clarinets yourself, you'd be asking for trouble!

Yep, the man in the shop told me to play with the reed on my top lip! I got to my clarinet lesson and got a shock when she told me I was doing it wrong!

also hide the clarinet away, i remember when i got my clarinet, my mum would not let me put it together or play so i got one of my clarinet playing friends to show me how to put hers together and then i went home and waited until the next morning. I got up at 6am (im my house noone is awake before 7am!) and went and found the clarinet and put it together and tried to play it... what fun!