FAQ

How many keys does the clarinet have?

A German system junior clarinet has 15-20 keys, a professional instrument 25. The French system (Böhm) clarinet has less keys, for juniors 17 and for professionals 19 keys.

How is sound produced on a clarinet?

The clarinet uses a single reed (in comparison to double reed instruments) which is secured to a mouthpiece. Once an embouchure is formed (lip pressure), tone is produced by blowing air through the reed/mouthpiece. The air flow causes the reed to vibrate which produces sound in the instrument.

What is the range of the clarinet?

With almost four octaves, the clarinet has the ;largest range of the woodwind instruments. To be precise, the clarinet has three octaves and a minor 6th. The actual range of a clarinet depends on the pitch of the clarinet, for instance on a normal Bb clarinet the range is (sounding pitch) from bottom d (d3) to top Bb (Bb7).

How often do you need to practice clarinet?

With just 30 mins a day you can make big strides on a clarinet. But the same rules apply for clarinet as with all instruments: for those who want to become really good, lots of practice is needed!

How big is a clarinet?

An average seized Bb clarinet is c.67cm long.

Why is the clarinet tuned in Bb?

Clarinets are made in a variety of different keys. The Bb clarinet has become the standard because it sounds good, is easy to play and works for composers in many different keys.

Why is the clarinet a woodwind instrument?

The body of the clarinet is made from wood, mostly from grenadillo. Mouthpieces are traditionally made from wood too.

Why does the clarinet squeak sometimes?

Squeaking happens in clarinets when the airflow doesn’t match the lip pressure. It normally occurs from not blowing correctly. Sometimes it occurs when the air column is incorrect, which can be caused by a key not being closed properly or from the wrong amount of air being blown into the instrument.

Why is the clarinet a transposing instrument?

There are clarinets in C which are not required to transpose - the problem is that they sound bright and harsh. Because of this, clarinets in A and Bb became the standard quite early on. In some works, for instance in Mahler symphonies, the C clarinet is actually explicitly requested!

When was the clarinet founded?

The clarinet was created in 1700 through instrument development by Chalumeau.

How is the clarinet pieced together?

The clarinet is made up of a mouthpiece, barrel, top joint, lower joint and bell.

Where does the clarinet come from? // Where was the clarinet founded?

The first clarinets were made by German instrument makers, of which Chalumeau was the most important for the instruments development.

Where is the clarinet used?

The clarinet is a very adaptable instrument which can be used in all genres, from Classical to Jazz and from Klezmer to Pop! You are just as likely to see a Clarinet in a symphony orchestra as in a Jazz big band or in a wind band where the clarinet usually plays the role of the violin in an Orchestra. There is also plenty of chamber music for Clarinet as well as many solo works, either with or without accompaniment.

In which clef does the Clarinet play?

Clarinets will always be notated in the treble clef. Exceptions are for Bass and Contrabass Clarinet which are both written in the bass clef.

What does Clarinet in Bb mean?

Clarinet in Bb means that the written notes are meant for a Bb clarinet. This means that when a Bb clarinet plays a written C, a Bb sounds. Simply said, the clarinet sounds a tone lower than the note written.

What do Clarinet and Saxophone have in common?

Making a sound on the clarinet and the saxophone is in theory the same. A single reed on a mouthpiece. The clarinet however overblows to a twelfth and the saxophone to an octave.

Which instrument is easier to learn - Clarinet or Recorder?

This is tricky to answer- both instruments are good for beginners to start with.

Which wood is used for making a Clarinet?

Clarinets are usually made from Gernadillo. Sometimes other woods are used, such as Cocobolo.

Which reeds should I buy for my Clarinet?

This is not a one size - well one reed! - fits all answer. Beginners should take a softer reed, like a #2 or for children even a #1 1/2.

Which mouthpiece should I play?

Beginners are best served using the mouthpiece that comes with the instrument. Advanced students should try different mouthpieces with their teacher to find the best for them.

How old do you have to be to learn the clarinet?

This is partly to do with the development of the child. Ideally the child should have adult front teeth. This is usually the case with most 10 year olds.

Which maintenance oil do you use for Clarinet?

A good woodwind instrument oil will suffice.

Which Clarinet does Andreas Ottensamer play?

Andreas Ottensamer plays clarinets with a Viennese bore by Kronthaler.

Which Clarinet does Sabine Meyer play?

Sabine Meyer plays clarinets made by Herbert Wurlitzer.

When can you start learning the Clarinet?

This is partly to do with the development of the child. Ideally the child should have adult front teeth. This is usually the case with most 10 year olds.

What are the different parts of a Clarinet called?

The clarinet is made up of a mouthpiece, barrel, top joint, lower joint and bell.

How is the sound of the Clarinet?

The sound of the clarinet is generally described as soft, round and dark. The clarinet is a very versatile instrument and can also sound sharp and direct. Mozart was very excited by the sound of the clarinet and felt it was the nearest sound to the human voice.

My clarinet is too flat, what can I do?

Sometimes a shorter barrel can help. It is also possible that the mouthpiece doesn’t suit the Clarinet or that the reed is far too soft.

My Clarinet is too sharp, what can I do?

To make the clarinet flatter, it needs to be lengthened mm by mm. This is called pulling out. The first zone is between the barrel and the top joint. If this doesn’t work then it is also possible to pull out between the top and bottom joint.

Can I learn the Clarinet alone?

It is of course possible with the required talent to get to a certain level by yourself. But nothing is better than a good lesson with a competent teacher. A good teacher will improve the players technique from the start and make sure that there is no frustration or bad habits being learnt.

When was the Clarinet invented?

The clarinet was invented in 1700 by Chalumeau.

Is it difficult to learn the Clarinet?

In comparison to other instruments, the clarinet is not particularly difficult. With a little diligence and perseverance it is possible to develop quite quickly on the Clarinet.

Is the Clarinet similar to a Flute?

Clarinet and flute are different in embouchure, finger technique and the way you blow air through the instrument. It can however also be a positive to have learned the flute before switching to clarinet.

Are Saxophone and Clarinet similar?

To a degree, yes. Making a sound on the clarinet and the saxophone is in theory the same. A single reed on a mouthpiece. The clarinet however overblows to a twelfth and the saxophone to an octave. The tone in some registers is really similar, but generally it is easy to tell the difference between a clarinet and a saxophone.

Which wind Instruments are similar to the Clarinet?

This depends on what you mean by similar! In the way you create a sound, the saxophone is technically the same. In the way the instrument looks and sounds - to an amateur at least - the oboe is quite similar to a clarinet.

What does the register key do on a clarinet?

With the help of the register key the clarinet can play in the higher register. And the difference with clarinet compared to other wind instruments is that it springs a twelfth by over blowing and not an octave.

Does the Clarinet have trill keys?

Yes. The two highest keys for the right index finger are fundamentally trill keys.

Can you get a Clarinet with no keys?

No. Without keys you do not get the full range of the instrument. If you wanted to see a clarinet with no keys, you could look at its predecessor the Chalumeau clarinet as an example of an instrument without keys.

Can you learn Clarinet without a teacher?

It is of course possible with the required talent to get to a certain level by yourself. But nothing is better than a good lesson with a competent teacher. A good teacher will improve the players technique from the start and make sure that there is no frustration or bad habits being learnt.

Is there a clarinet for small hands?

Yes, for example the W. Schreiber D12.

The keys on my Clarinet are fading. What can I do?

A sliver cleaning cloth will help clean and protect the keys in most cases.

Why is my Clarinet not responding easily?

There are different reasons why a clarinet might not speak easily. When several notes work normally and then from a particular note (or just one note) there’s a block, then it’s possible that a pad is unregulated. Another issue can be with a poor finger technique, when the keys are not properly covered meaning that the instrument is leaking air through a tone hole. When the whole instrument isn’t working properly in every register, then it’s likely that the reed/mouthpiece combination is incorrect.

How do I attach a lyre to my Clarinet?

A lyre will normally be attached to the clarinet on the metal ring above the bell. A screw clamp should be provided with the lyre for fixing to the clarinet. Depending on the way the lyre is made, it may attach just below or above the metal ring.

What is the difference between a Böhm and German Clarinet?

The biggest difference between a German (Oehelr) clarinet and a French (Böhm) clarinet is in the arrangement of the keys and tone holes. This means that there are different figurings between the instruments. There is also a difference with dimensions in the boring, mouthpiece and reeds - this leads to the instruments having different sound/tone characteristics.

What is the range of the Clarinet?

With almost four octaves, the clarinet has the largest range of the woodwind instruments. To be precise, the clarinet has three octaves and a minor 6th. The actual range of a clarinet depends on the pitch of the clarinet, for instance on a normal Bb clarinet the range is (sounding pitch) from bottom d (d3) to top Bb (Bb7).

Why do Clarinets transpose?

There are also C clarinets which do not have to transpose. The problem is that these C clarinets sound bright and harsh. Because of this, clarinets in A and Bb became the standard. In some works, for instance in Mahler symphonies, the C clarinet is actually explicitly requested!

Do you need to clean a Clarinet?

Absolutely! After each practice session/rehearsal/concert with the correct mop/pull through.

Can a clarinet crack?

Unfortunately it can. That is why it is really important to clean the instrument after each usage and to also blow in a new instrument slowly.

Why does the Clarinet buzz/crackle?

The clarinet can create a buzzing/crackling sound when the relationship between reed/mouthpiece and embouchure/air flow is imbalanced. The heavier (thicker) the reed is can lead to buzzing as well as causing fatigue to the embouchure.

What is the part of the Clarinet called that’s between the mouthpiece and top joint?

The barrel.

Where can I find Clarinet music?

Here, with us! We offer more than 5,000 works for Clarinet/Saxophone in many different variations. Our filtered search makes choosing music really easy!

In which clef is the Clarinet notated?

Clarinets will always be notated in the treble clef. Exceptions are for Bass and Contrabass Clarinet which are both written in the bass clef.

Which wood is used to make a Clarinet?

The clarinet is traditionally made from grenadillo wood.

Who are the most important Clarinet makers?

For professionals, the most famous makers are: Herbert Wurlitzer, Schwenk and Seggelke, Leitner and Kraus, and Wolfgang Dietz for German clarinets and Buffet Crampon and Henri Selme for French (Böhm) clarinets. For more affordable student instruments there are makers such as: W. Schreiber, Yamaha, F. A. Uebel or Buffet Crampon.

What is an Oehler Clarinet?

The Oehler clarinet is the German system clarinet. Its name derives from Oskar Oehler, the founder of this instrument and its mechanic. The Oehler is mainly used in Germany and Austria.

What is the French clarinet system?

The French system is also known as the Böhm clarinet. The Böhm differs from the German clarinet predominantly in the arrangement of the tone holes and the keys, as well as the fingerings required to play it. It also has a broader boring and uses wider reeds. The French Böhm clarinet is played in almost all non-German speaking countries and is therefore the most commonly played clarinet worldwide.

Can you learn Clarinet easily online?

Nothing is better than a good lesson with a competent teacher! A good teacher will improve the players technique from the start and make sure that there is no frustration or bad habits being learnt.

How do I find the correct reeds for my Clarinet?

By practicing a lot, playing a lot and trying lots of different reeds. And this works best in conjunction with your teacher - they will be able to help you too!

Can you get a mute for the Clarinet?

No. A mute is not required for the clarinet. It is the clarinets trademark that it can play very quietly.

Are there metal Clarinets?

Clarinets made from metal are an exception and would normally only be used by players who often play outdoors. The contrabassclarinet is however normally always made from metal due to its size.

Are there plastic Clarinets?

There are plastic clarinets, but these are beginners instruments and not necessarily what we would recommend. With a tight budget we would suggest looking for a good second hand wooden clarinet.

Are there Clarinets made from Cocobolo?

Clarinets that are completely made from cocobolo are very rare. Single parts, such as a bell or barrel are more common.

Is learning the Clarinet difficult?

In comparison to other instruments, playing the clarinet is not so difficult. With a little diligence and perseverance it is possible to develop quite quickly on the Clarinet.

Who does the Clarinet portray in Peter and the Wolf?

The cat. And by the way, the part where the cat climbs the tree is one of the trickiest audition excerpts!

Is the Clarinet used in Pop music?

The clarinet is a vowel flexible instrument and is also used in pop music.

How can I clean/care for my Clarinet?

A clarinet must be cleaned (dried) after each use with a pull through/mop. This is the most important.

Where does the Clarinet sit in an Orchestra?

In an orchestra, the clarinets sit next to the bassoons and behind the flutes.

What is the difference between filed and unfixed Clarinet reeds?

Filed or unfiled relates to the cut of the clarinet reed. With a filed reed, the bark in the shoulder area (the U shape just behind the tip) is sanded/filed off. As material is taken off with this process, a filed reed is lighter/softer than an unfiled reed. Generally speaking, most German reeds are unfiled and most French reeds are filed.