With its dark body, intricate shiny keys, and warm tone, the clarinet is one of the most popular instruments today. It is relatively easy to learn and very versatile in the genres it can play.
But what else do you know about the clarinet? From its long history to its composition, there are many things about the clarinet few people know but every music enthusiast should learn!
That’s why, in this post, we’ll take a look at 10 fascinating facts about the clarinet to learn more about this amazing instrument. Read on!
1. It Descended From The Chalumeau
The clarinet, as we know it today, evolved from an older instrument called the chalumeau. The chalumeau was a wooden, reeded folk instrument played during the Baroque and Classical periods, featuring two keys and eight-tone holes.
The development of the clarinet was motivated by the desire to add an upper register, achieved by introducing an overblow key. This key opens an airway in the instrument, allowing certain notes to be played up to an octave and a 12th higher.
Johann Christoph Denner is widely believed to have invented the first clarinet in the mid-1600s, although his brother Jacob is also credited with this development.
2. More Keys Were Added Since The Chalumeau
The earliest clarinet, developed from the chalumeau, had only two keys, along with a larger bore and flared bell. What really defines the clarinet’s evolution is the gradual addition of keys.
Between 1730 and 1740, clarinet makers, including one of Denner’s sons, added a third key. This allowed players to switch between the lower chalumeau register and the new upper (altissimo) registers, and these early clarinets played mainly in the keys of C and D.
Over the next hundred years, more keys were added, enhancing the clarinet’s range, tone, and fingering options. By 1843, the 17-key B-flat clarinet, similar to the one we know today, was introduced.
3. Each Register Has Its Own Name
The clarinet can play in three registers, each with its own name. The highest, as mentioned, is the altissimo register, ranging from high C-sharp to high A-sharp. This was added when the chalumeau became the clarinet.
The lowest is the chalumeau register, from low D to middle A, named after the original chalumeau instrument.
The middle register, from middle B to high C, is called the clarion or clarino register, similar to the trumpet’s range. The name clarinet means “small clarion,” reflecting its relation to the trumpet, especially in terms of bell shape and acoustics.
4. It Has An Extensive Family Tree
The clarinet family includes many types of clarinets. The most common one is the B-flat clarinet, which most beginners start on. It’s called the soprano clarinet because of its pitch.
There are also other clarinets for different needs. The E-flat and A clarinets are used along with the B-flat clarinet. The D and C clarinets are older models used for a classic sound. The G clarinet, used for folk music, is now mostly made in China.
For lower notes, the E-flat alto clarinet plays lower than the B-flat clarinet, and the B-flat bass clarinet plays an octave lower.
There are also very rare ones like the A and C bass clarinets. The contrabass clarinet plays even lower, and the A-flat piccolo clarinet plays higher than the B-flat clarinet’s highest notes.
5. Clarinets Have Been Made From Various Materials
Most clarinets have always been made of wood, staying true to their woodwind category. Early clarinets were often made from boxwood, pear wood, or plum wood, and some rare ones were made of ivory. The mouthpieces were usually made of ebony.
Today, top-quality clarinets are made from African blackwood or grenadilla wood, but there is concern because these woods are becoming endangered.
As a result, many manufacturers are now using other types of wood or materials like metal, rubber, resin, and plastic, which are also common in beginner and affordable models. Most modern mouthpieces are now made of plastic.
6. It Has No Spit Valve
If you’ve ever played or seen a clarinet, you might have seen a puddle of spit under the bell. Unlike brass instruments, clarinets can’t control where their spit goes, so it just drips down.
The good thing is, this doesn’t affect the sound of the clarinet. Just be sure to clean it with a spit rag after each use!
With features from early woodwinds and trumpets and a rich history from the 1700s and 1800s, the clarinet has become a standout instrument in many music genres and famous pieces.
7. It Is One Of The Most Affordable Woodwind Instruments
In terms of affordability, the clarinet is one of the cheapest woodwind instruments to learn and play.
The best beginner clarinets can be purchased for less than $500, and professional-level models can be found in the $2,000 range.
Given their small size, the clarinet reed is also the cheapest of all the woodwind reeds, costing an average of $2 per reed.
8. The Clarinet’s A Versatile Instrument
The clarinet is a versatile instrument used in many music styles. It plays a big role in classical music, where it was developed to have a wider range.
The clarinet became prominent in orchestras in the 1700s. Although it was one of the last instruments added to orchestras, it’s now a regular part of them.
In the early 1900s, the clarinet was key in Dixieland jazz. It also shone in the swing music era of the 1930s and ’40s, thanks to artists like Benny Goodman. During the 1950s and ’60s, it was important in the jazz boom.
Today, the clarinet is still crucial in movie scores, even though its parts are usually small.
9. There Are Many Famous Solos
Each of the genres mentioned in the entry above features some very famous clarinet solos.
Mozart and Copland both wrote clarinet concertos that are staples for many clarinetists. However, the most famous clarinet solo is probably the opening of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.
This solo is renowned for its difficulty due to the characteristic glissando, which requires sliding the fingers over the holes at the right speed while tightening the throat just enough to get the perfect sound.
10. There Are Many Famous Clarinetists
Let’s talk about some famous clarinet players! Benny Goodman, known as the King of Swing, is probably the most famous clarinetist in the world. He was also a popular bandleader and played a big role in the Jazz Revolution.
In the classical world, Martin Frost from Sweden and Sabine Meyer from Germany are well-known clarinetists.
Before Frost and Meyer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was not only a famous composer but also loved playing and writing music for the clarinet.
Related: For more, check out our list of famous clarinet players here.
Summing Up Facts About The Clarinet
And that’s it for our list of clarinet facts. We hope you learned something new!
Hopefully, these have inspired you to pick one up and play or check out famous clarinet solos.
If you have any other interesting facts for us to include, let us know and we’ll add them to our list!
