In student models the body of your clarinet is likely to be made from ebonite, a hard vulcanised rubber with good tonal characteristics. You may also come across ABS resin which is similar in nature. More expensive models are likely to be constructed from Grenadilla Wood which many deem as having better tonal qualities although will require more maintenance and ongoing care.
The two joints are linked via a cork tenon and feature the instruments keywork which is drilled and mounted onto the body. The bore of your instrument describes the cylindrical hole down the middle of your clarinet through which air travels creating sound.
For most student models the bore is constant throughout the instrument from top to bottom. In more expensive, pro level models you may start to see polycylindrical bores where the diameter may differ through the instrument.
This change in bore is usually found towards the bell section where a narrower bore is thought to produce a brighter tone. The diameter of the clarinet bore is usually 15mm for standard Bb models. It is important to use a pull-though after each playing session to remove any moisture that remains in your clarinets bore.
More expensive models made from granadilla wood may also require oiling inside the bore to keep them in top playing condition. Nickelplated keywork can sometimes cause issues with allergies which some players can develop with prolonged exposure over a long time scale. Many student models will features silverplated keywork which should be bright and hard wearing.
A silver polishing cloth is usually supplied with many starter models and can be used to keep keywork in good condition. Many other small keywork components such as pads and springs will separate cheaper models with more expensive models. These are especially important as they need to provide an airtight seal between key and tone hole. These will also require maintenance and ultimately replacing over the lifetime of your clarinet. Finally, an adjustable, rather than fixed thumbrest is an invaluable piece of keywork for smaller players as it allows the thumbrest to be adjusted over time as the players hands grow.
These are very common on student models but always worth double checking when selecting a first clarinet. Not the most exciting accessory in the world but still very useful! Many student clarinets will be supplied with a silver polishing cloth. A good quality pull-through suitable for your model of clarinet is invaluable in keeping it in good working order.
These are available in a range of different materials including microfiber cloth, leather and chamois. Using a pull-though after each practice or performance removes moisture from the bore of your instrument. This reduces the chance of mould and bacteria growing and in the case of wooden instruments reduces the chance of the body of the clarinet cracking or warping.
Another accessory that is commonly supplied with student clarinets, cork grease makes assembling your clarinet a breeze. It is always a good idea to clean off any old grease and grime with kitchen roll before reapplying more grease. A clarinet stand is a worthwhile investment for new players. Many instrument breakages and damage arise when instruments are knocked off chairs, beds etc when not in use.
A good stand will help avoid these situations. Some lower profile stands conveniently fold up and store in your clarinet bell, making transport easier. When buying a sling, pay special attention to the quality and construction of the hook. As these hold the weight of your instrument they are particularly important.
This full size B b clarinet has been designed with first time players in mind. Constructed from ebonite, this model is robust and durable and has been a favourite within the UK education sector for many years.
This plastic clarinet is in the key Of C enabling it to be slightly shorter in length than a standard B b model. The fact that it is in the key of C also enables it share sheet music with other instruments in this key e. This instrument is supplied with both synthetic and cane reeds and is designed with smaller players in mind, being washable and easy to maintain and assemble. The Buffet brand is synonymous with high performing clarinets. Their Prodige model replaces the popular B12 which has been a mainstay of the student clarinet market for many years.
The Prodige has undergone significant research and development, especially in relation to its bore which is claimed to allow an unprecedented ease of play and projection of sound. Higher specification components such as blue steel springs and leather pads can also be found on this model. This has been achieved with the removal of the metal bell ring and a redesigned body and bore. This model benefits from high quality keywork and plating and is constructed from ABS Resin.
The family can be broken down into four broad main categories- soprano, alto, bass, and contrabass. The orchestra also frequently uses the A soprano clarinet. It is not seen very often but is sometimes used in clarinet choirs and military bands. The D clarinet is a semitone lower and is used very rarely in orchestra, famously by Strauss in Till Eulenspiegel. The A clarinet is commonly used in orchestra and some solo and chamber repertoire.
The C clarinet is less common, appearing in some orchestral works, but is also used in folk music like klezmer, and by some jazz clarinetists. The clarinet in G is very rarely used in Western classical music but is very common in Turkish and Greek folk music, often made of metal and with a German fingering system. These instruments have a slightly curved metal neck and an upturned bell. It is still an important voice in clarinet ensembles but is never used in orchestra.
The basset horn, descending to a written low C and with a traditionally smaller bore, is the equivalent voice in the orchestra. It is also rare, but there has been a recent rise in its use in solo and chamber music.
The clarinet is a versatile instrument, used in orchestras, concert bands, and even jazz ensembles. However, as is common with instruments invented long ago, a huge number of different variations of clarinets have been developed along the way: clarinets of different sizes, ranges, and concert pitches. Some are even higher and lower, but this sort of nomenclature is used informally as general terms. The written Bb clarinet range begins at D3 the D below middle C and ends on Bb6 the second Bb above the treble clef staff.
It is the most common type of clarinet for beginners , and as a standard band or orchestra has two at minimum, and many concert bands seat ten to fifteen Bb clarinetists spread across three written parts. Up next we have the Clarinet in A , called so because when you play the note C on it it actually sounds a concert A.
This means that its range is the same except that it begins and ends a half step lower from C 3 to A6. Not quite as common but still found in orchestras is the Eb clarinet , again called so because when you play an Eb it sounds a concert C. The Eb clarinet is included in many European scores by its Italian name, the terzino, or terzino in Mib mi being the solfege for E in the fixed do system. Visually, it looks like a smaller version of the bass clarinet, with a bent metal neck and a curved metal bell.
This led to less clarinetists specializing in the alto clarinet, and with the reduced demand for parts, composers generally stopped writing for them further decreasing the demand.
Another clarinet that occupies the bass clef staff is called the bass clarinet. The bass clarinet also has a written range that looks similar to that of the Bb clarinet, but it sounds an octave and a second lower than the written pitch.
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