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Danilo Vecchi by Danilo Vecchi
On April 14, 2016

wind instruments (pt.3): clarinet

SCL-20


The Clarinet has very ancient origins, as this instruments employs a single-reed principle already found in the Memet, and Egyptian instrument from 2700 B.C.

The modern Clarinet is a development of the Chalumeau by Johan Christian Denner, an innovator and craftsman from Nuremberg. The modern instrument that we all know comes from a long process of improvement made over the centuries by Jacob Denner (Johan Christian’s son), Elèonore Klosè, Ivan Muller and Theobald Boehm.

The modern Clarinet is built in five pieces, jointed by corked tenons.


The components are:

  • The mouthpiece (with a ligature used to attach the reed)
  • The barrel
  • The upper joint
  • The lower joint
  • The bell


The construction materials used for the high quality instruments are usually the ebony or the Grenadilla, an African wood also used by the most famous brand thanks to its density, workability and dimensional stability, a very important property; less frequently used – but not less valuable – are woods like the Cocobolo and the Honduran rosewood.

The clarinets for beginners are usually made of plastic resin like ebonite, ABS, easy maintainable materials, perfect for young persons or musicians performing often outdoor.

The note range of the Clarinet goes from E2 (down to Eb in the Boehm full system) up to C6.


estensione-del-clarinetto-20160414084634.JPG

Clarinetto – estensione dello strumentoNote range of the Clarinet


A very versatile instrument, with a wide note range and tone quality that plays an invaluable role in the classic and symphonic orchestra, used by the greates composers of the classic/romantic era until today.

Sounds warm and mellow in the low register, bright in the middle register and really loud and shrill in the higher one. The clarinet is a very important instruments as a soloist in the jazz, swing and BeBop orchestra, thanks to unforgettable compositions by musicians who made the history of jazz like Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw and Tony Scott.



The large family of clarinets is comprised by instruments of different dimensions and pitch.

Piccolo in Ab, Piccolo in Eb, Piccolo in D, Soprano in C, Soprano in Bb (the most common type), Soprano in A, Soprano in G, basset clarinet in A, Contralto in F (also known as basset horn), Contralto in Eb, Bass Clarinet in Bb; Contrabass clarinet in Eb, Contrabass clarinet in Bb.