Guide to Clarinets

The clarinet is a solo and a family of woodwind instruments that uses a single reed to produce sound. It is characterized by a cylindrical bore. It has three main registers: chalumeau (low), clarino or clarion (middle), and altissimo (high).  It has a wide compass showcased in orchestral, chamber, and wind band writing. Its tone quality all depends on the music, musician, clarinet style, reed, and humidity. The clarinet usually refers to the soprano clarinet, which is pitched in the key of B-flat.  It is the most common type of clarinet. All instruments under the clarinet family use a common fingering system despite their transposition or size.
 

• The sopranino clarinet in A-flat is played in Australian and European military bands.
• It is a very rare instrument.
• Some people consider it as a collector’s item.
• Sopranino clarinet in E-flat
• The sopranino clarinet in E-flat is a small instrument often referred to as a baby clarinet.
• It has replaced the high trumpet and the cornet.

• The sopranino clarinet in D is shorter than the clarinet in C.
• It is easier to play than the E-flat clarinet.

• The clarinet in C is small, making it suitable for children and beginners.
• It is shorter than the B-flat clarinet.
• It has the same pitch as the violin and the piano.

• The clarinet in B-flat is the most common type of clarinet.
• It is used in orchestras, music ensembles, and school bands.
• It has a range of 3 ½ to 4 octaves.
• It is used in various musical styles including classical, jazz, and contemporary.

• The clarinet in A is mostly used in symphony orchestras.
• It is longer than the B-flat clarinet and pitched a half note below.

• The bassette clarinet in A is one of the rare types of clarinets.
• It is similar to the clarinet in A in construction.
• It can be straight or bent.

• The bassette horn in F is about the same size as the alto clarinet.
• It is pitched in the key of F.
• It has a straight body with a metal neck.

• The alto clarinet in E-flat is one octave lower than the baby clarinet in E-flat.
• It is used in smaller music ensembles.
• It is a large instrument played with a strap or a floor peg.

• The bass clarinet in B-flat is a heavy instrument played with a floor stand.
• It has a curved neck and a larger bell.
• It comes in two types: the one that can go down to lower C and the one that can go down to low E-flat.

• The contra alto clarinet in E-flat is one octave below the alto clarinet.
• It has a deep register.
• It can have a straight or loop form.
• It is rarely used in symphony orchestras.

• The contrabass clarinet in B-flat is one octave lower than the bass clarinet.
• It can be straight (six feet in length) or U-shaped (four feet in length).
• It can be made of wood or metal.

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