YAMAHA

Intro to The Clarinet

The clarinet is a member of the woodwind family, and is a single-reed instrument with a very distinctive timbre said to be close to that of the human voice. It has a fairly long history, but the form in which it is found today was invented around 1843. The popularity of the clarinet stretches from classical music (Mozart was the first to write music spotlighting the instrument) to jazz, and is also featured in swing-era big band and Dixieland music.

Clarinet Family

  • Eb Clarinet
    A smaller clarinet with a clear, focused tone
  • Bb Clarinet
    This is the standard instrument most clarinetists begin with.
  • Eb Alto Clarinet
    A larger clarinet with richer tone colors.
  • Bass Clarinet
    A large, low pitched clarinet with a warm deep sound.

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