All About Clarinets

• The clarinet is a musical instrument in the woodwind family.
• Clarinets use a single reed to produce sound.
• A clarinet player is called a clarinetist.

History

• The clarinet developed from an earlier instrument, the chalumeau, in the early 18th century.
• Johann Christoph Denner, a German instrument maker, is generally credited with inventing the clarinet around 1700.
• Early clarinets had only a few keys.
• Over time, additional keys and refinements were added.
• By the mid-19th century, the modern clarinet with its complex key system had largely taken shape.
• Two prominent key systems emerged: the Albert system (primarily used in Europe) and the Boehm system (more widely used internationally).

Construction and Materials

• Clarinets are typically made from African Blackwood (Grenadilla), but other materials like plastic, resin, or metal are also used.
• The clarinet consists of five main parts: the mouthpiece, barrel, upper joint, lower joint, and bell.
• The mouthpiece is where the reed is attached and the player blows to create sound.
• The barrel is a short, cylindrical section that connects the mouthpiece to the upper joint and helps adjust the instrument's pitch.
• The upper and lower joints contain most of the tone holes and keys.
• The bell is the flared end of the instrument, which helps project the sound.
• Keys and levers are made of metal, typically nickel silver or silver.
• Pads made of leather, felt, or synthetic materials are attached to the keys to create airtight seals over the tone holes.

Sound Production

• Sound is produced by blowing air across the reed, causing it to vibrate.
• The vibrating reed creates a fluctuating air column inside the clarinet.
• The player controls the pitch and tone by using their embouchure (mouth position) and fingers to open and close tone holes.
• The clarinet is an instrument that overblows at the twelfth, unlike the flute and oboe which overblow at the octave.
• This means that when the register key is pressed, the clarinet jumps an octave and a fifth.

Types of Clarinets

• B♭ clarinet: The most common type of clarinet.
• A clarinet: Similar to the B♭ clarinet, but pitched a semitone lower. Often used in orchestral music.
• E♭ clarinet: A smaller clarinet pitched a fourth higher than the B♭ clarinet. Used in orchestras and wind bands.
• Bass clarinet: A larger clarinet pitched an octave lower than the B♭ clarinet. Features a distinctive curved neck and bell.
• Alto clarinet: Pitched a fourth lower than the B♭ clarinet.
• Contrabass clarinet: The lowest pitched clarinet, an octave lower than the bass clarinet.

Range and Tone

• The clarinet has a wide range, typically around three and a half octaves, depending on the specific instrument and the player's skill.
• The tone of the clarinet varies depending on the register.
• The chalumeau register (low notes) is warm and dark.
• The clarion register (middle notes) is bright and clear.
• The altissimo register (high notes) is piercing and often requires advanced technique.

Use in Music

• The clarinet is used in a wide variety of musical genres, including classical, jazz, klezmer, and popular music.
• In classical music, the clarinet is a standard member of the orchestra and is also featured in chamber music.
• Prominent composers who have written for the clarinet include Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, and Copland.
• In jazz, the clarinet was a prominent instrument in early jazz and swing music.
• Famous jazz clarinetists include Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, and Sidney Bechet.
• The clarinet is also used in many wind bands and military bands.

Maintenance

• Regular cleaning is essential to keep the clarinet in good working condition.
• After playing, the clarinet should be swabbed out to remove moisture.
• The keys should be oiled periodically to keep them moving freely.
• Pads should be checked regularly and replaced if they are worn or damaged.
• The corks on the joints should be greased to ensure a good seal.
• A professional technician should service the clarinet periodically to ensure that it is in optimal playing condition.

Notable Clarinetists

• Classical:
  • Richard Stoltzman
  • Sabine Meyer
  • Karl Leister
• Jazz:
  • Benny Goodman
  • Artie Shaw
  • Sidney Bechet
• Klezmer:
  • Giora Feidman
  • David Krakauer

Embouchure

• The embouchure is the way a player applies their mouth to the mouthpiece of a wind instrument.
• A good clarinet embouchure is essential for producing a clear, consistent tone.
• The lower lip should be supported against the reed.
• The upper teeth should rest on the mouthpiece.
• The corners of the mouth should be drawn in to create a seal.
• The embouchure should be firm but not too tight.
• Proper breath support is also essential for a good clarinet embouchure.

Reed Selection

• The reed is a critical component of the clarinet.
• Clarinet reeds are typically made from cane.
• Reeds come in different strengths, typically ranging from 1.5 to 5.
• The appropriate reed strength depends on the player's embouchure and the instrument.
• A harder reed requires more embouchure strength to vibrate.
• Players often experiment with different reed brands and strengths to find the best match for their playing style.
• Synthetic reeds are also available.

Key System

• The Boehm system is the most widely used key system for clarinets.
• The Boehm system was developed by Hyacinthe Klosé and Auguste Buffet in the mid-19th century.
• The Albert system is another key system that is still used by some clarinetists, particularly in Europe.
• The Albert system has a different fingering arrangement than the Boehm system.
• Some players prefer the Albert system for its tone, while others prefer the Boehm system for its ease of use.