I went the other way--from clarinet in school to recorder/whistle later. The clarinet is a much 'harder' instrument to control, care for and learn fingerings on. It is nice once you are familar with it, but it would be an unusual person who could learn it without professionl help. Lessons from someone who play would be seriously worth it.

The clarinet demands a LOT more of your lips, breath, jaw, teeth..etc...called embrochure to refer to "holding your mouth right". Also, you always need new reeds and occasionally, new cork or maintenance on keys, etc.

You can always enjoy more musical instruments if you have a knack for learning them, but clarinet is not one to take lightly.