Types of Clarinets
First invented in the late 1600’s by Johann Christoph Denner of Nuremburg, the alternately mellow and bright sounds of the clarinet have rounded out everything from symphonic orchestras to small jazz ensembles for more than 400 years. When examining the different types of clarinet, it is helpful to study them from smallest to largest. Smaller clarinets have a shrill, strident sound, while longer clarinets are more deeply pitched. Most clarinets have a range of four octaves spread over three registers.
The lowest register is called the chalumeau register and is characterized by a deep, solid sound. Mellow and sometimes breathy notes embody the middle register, also known as the clarion register. The uppermost register, the altissimo, is characteristic of piercing, sweet, and bright notes.
The Standard B ♭ Clarinet
The B ♭ clarinet is the “standard” clarinet—the one most frequently used. Technically, the B♭ clarinet has a range of four octaves, but the upper altissimo is difficult to control; the player has to be proficient, in order for the highest octave to not sound like a screaming, out-of-control banshee.
The body of the B♭ clarinet is normally carved from wood. Student clarinets can be made of black plastic, although they can also be found in bright blue and purple these days. Marching bands and jazz bands sometimes use a metal variation of the B♭ clarinet.
The B♭ clarinet body consists of five separate segments that are connected together with pieces of cork. The distinctive sound of the clarinet is initiated when the clarinet player blows against the wooden reed, which causes the reed to vibrate against the plastic mouthpiece. The mouthpiece connects to the barrel, which is a short, slightly flared cylinder. The barrel connects to the first joint, which in turn connects to the second joint. The final part of the standard clarinet is the “bell,” which is shaped that way in order to amplify the instrument’s sound.
Sopranino/ Piccolo/ Octave clarinets
Sopranino clarinets, alternately called piccolo clarinets or octave clarinets, are the smallest of the clarinet family and have the highest pitch.
The most common Sopranino clarinet is the A ♭ clarinet, the smallest member of the clarinet family. At only fourteen inches in length, the A ♭ clarinet is just slightly half as long as the standard B ♭ clarinet, and the two clarinets look identical, both using the Boehm keying system. The A ♭ clarinet can usually be found only in European marching bands, where its piercing sound is appreciated alongside other high-pitched instruments, such as flutes and piccolos.
Obsolete versions of the Sopranino clarinet included versions in G, F and E.
Sopranino clarinets are one octave higher than members of the Soprano family, such as the popular B ♭ standard clarinet.
