bout the Clarinet

The clarinet is a single reed wind woodwind instrument. It has a roughly cylindrical bore which expands into a bell at the end of the instrument.

The most common instrument in the clarinet family is in the soprano range and is tuned in B flat. It is approximately two feet two inches in length. Its lowest note is the D above middle C, which is written as E. The highest note is dependent on the capabilities of the instrument and the player. It is approximately C three octaves above middle C.

There are also clarinets in other sizes, such as the piccolo in B flat, sopranino in E flat, the Alto in E flat, the basset horn in F, the Bass in B flat, and the contra bass in B flat. Many of these instruments were pitched at up to a whole tone above or below their normal pitches. Thus there are soprano clarinets in A and C.

The bodies of modern clarinets are commonly made from African blackwood or grenadilla, providing their characteristic black color. Beginner instruments are made from plastics. Until the mid 19th century, clarinets were commonly made from boxwood. Some clarinets were made of metal in the early 20th century.

Modern clarinet mouthpieces are usually made from hard rubber. Less expensive mouthpieces are made from plastics. The mouthpieces of early clarinets were integral to the body and were made of wood. Other materials have been used to make mouthpieces such as glass, and metal.

Clarinet reeds are usually made from the cane of arundo donax. Synthetic reeds are used in some circumstances.

The instrument functions as a stopped cylinder, as opposed to an open one. Acoustically this results in properties that are unusual for musical instruments. Firstly, it only produces odd harmonics. This is partially responsible for the clarinet's unique timbre. Secondly, its fundamental pitch is an octave lower than a flute of an equivanent length. Thirdly, it overblows at the 12th, rather than the octave.

The modern clarinet typically consists of five sections:

Mouthpiece
Barrel
Left hand section
Right hand section
Bell

The mouthpiece consists of two sections: the table, where the reed attaches; and the lay, the portion where the reed vibrates. The reed is attached to the table with a ligature, or in the case of a german mouthpiece, with twine called spannschnur. The sides of the lay that contact the reed when it vibrates are called the rails. The front of the lay is called the tip. The majority of the lay is hollowed out into a wedge shaped tone chamber. This expands into the shape and diameter of the cylindrical bore.

The clarinet came into being in the baroque era in the early part of the 18th century. Johann Christoph Denner of Nuremberg is one of the notable early makers of clarinets. He is sometimes credited with its invention. The earliest surviving clarinets are by Johann's son, Jacob Denner. The three that are known to exist are housed in the following institutions:

Staatliche Hochschule fur Musik und Darstellende Knust in Berlin.
Conservatoire Royal de Musique in Brussels.
Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg.

Each of these surviving clarinets has two keys. They are pitched in C or D. The lowest note is F above middle C.

As the clarinet developed its bell was extended and keys were added. The first of these keys was an open key that could be closed to sound a low E. By the mid 19th century the Boehm key system was developed and is still in use today.

The clarinet derives its name from the clarino, which designated the upper register of the trumpet. Johann Gottfried Walther commented in his Musikalischen Lexikon of 1732 that the clarinet sounded like a trumpet that is heard from a distance. In Italian the clarinet was called clarinetto, literally little clarino. In French it was known as clarinette, and in German as the klarinette.

From its early years there are extant works that use the instrument. Vivaldi wrote three concerti that call for clarinets: Concerto per la solennità di San Lorenzo, RV 556 which is scored for two clarinets; and Concerti con due clarinet due hautbois e istromenti, RV 559 and 560. Johan Melchior Molter wrote four concerti for the clarinet circa 1740. Handel uses in the instrument in his opera Riccardo Primo (1727), and in the Overture in D for two clarinets and horn. Rameau operas Zoroastre (1749) and Acanthe et Cephise (1751) both are orchestrated for clarinets. C.P.E. Bach wrote a duet in C for clarinet H636, Divertimento in G, H642, for clarinet and string trio, six Sonatas for clarinet, cello, and keyboard, H516-521, and a quartet in A minor for clarinet, viola, cello, and keyboard H537.

Stamitz and Mozart did much to popularize the instrument. Mozart used the clarinet in three iconic works: Kegelstatt Trio k498; Quintet k581; Concerto k622; This was written for the clarinetist Anton Stadler.

No account of the clarinet would be complete without mentioning the chalumeau, or chalumeaux. It was a single reed instrument that was the direct predecessor of the clarinet. It lacked a bell, and only played in the lower range. The clarinet's lower register is still referred to as the chalumeau.

Shown is an early to mid 19th century clarinet by Metzler and Co. London. It has the typical German mouthpiece. They ends of the keys that cover the sound holes are round. Some other models have square key covers.