Clarinet

   The clarinet is a woodwind musical instrument. The name is from adding the suffix -et (meaning little) to the Italian word clarino (meaning a type of trumpet). The first clarinets had a bright tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has a cylindrical bore and uses only one reed.

  Clarinets make up a family of instruments with differing sizes and pitches. The clarinet family is the largest such woodwind family and has more than a dozen types. Many of these are rare or obsolete, and music written for them is usually played on one of the more common types. The unmodified word clarinet usually refers to the Bb soprano clarinet which is by far the most common clarinet.
 

 

       

    The clarinet was invented in Germany by Johann Christoph Denner around the turn of the 18th century. Over time, additional keys and airtight pads were added to improve tone and playability. Today, the clarinet is used in both jazz, orchestra, concert bands and many other ensembles.

    The cylindrical bore is largely responsible for the clarinet's distinctive sound, which varies between its three main registers. It can play over four octaves depending on the ability of the musician. The tone quality can vary greatly with the musician, the music, the clarinet (material, manufacturer, etc.) and the strength of the reed. The differences in instruments and geographical isolation of players in different countries led to the development, from the last part of the 18th century onwards, of several different schools of clarinet playing. The most prominent of these schools were the German/Viennese traditions and the French school, centered around the clarinetists of the Conservatoire de Paris. Through the proliferation of recorded music, examples of different styles of clarinet playing have become available. The modern clarinetist has an eclectic palette of "acceptable" tone qualities to choose from.

   The clarinet is the most important woodwind in the orchestra, and has a very wide range. It has 18 holes, six of which are covered by fingers and the remainder by keys. The pitch of the tone is determined by covering the holes. Clarinets used to all be made of wood but now many are made of ebonite. All have single reeds. There are thirteen different types of clarinets, but the most common in orchestras are the B-flat for the keys with flats and the A for the keys with sharps. Clarinets have a smooth, even sound, which makes them compatible with most orchestral instruments. They can play many different moods, and can play very loud or very soft. Because of this, in military bands a clarinet plays the role of the violin. If an orchestra requires a saxophone, and one is not available, a clarinet could play that role also. The lower-sounding clarinets (like the alto, bass and contrabass) have upturned metal bells, which cause them to resemble a saxophone in appearance. The bass clarinet is comparable to the cello in pitch.