The History Of the Clairnet


Clarinet History:

        Hello! My fellow or future clarinet players. For my very first post on this blog I will be talking about the clarinet's history. The clarinet was made in Germany roughly around the 1700's. It was invented by a man named Johann Christoph Denner who was a Nuremberg instrument maker and his son Jacob. The clarinet originated from the first 'true' woodwind instrument called the chalumeau. The chalumeau was created in the twelfth century, but was only seen written in music in the 1630's. The chalumeau is an instrument that belongs in the late baroque era and early classical era. It was typically used in folk music.



           This is a picture of a chalumeau




         This is a picture of the modern day clarinet                            
     

     The difference between the chalumeau and the clarinet is that chalumeau was made to only play low key tones and the clarinet plays high key tones and can play certain low tones. The chalumeau has eight finger holes while the clarinet has seven. The clarinet has a key on its back that is smaller and higher than the chalumeau's. It also has a register tube to play higher notes. The bore of the chalumeau was the same size as a modern Bb instrument. The clarinet had a definite flare to its bore and has a larger bell. The clarinet mouthpiece was also specifically designed to be able to withstand high registers. The clarinet is most commonly used in wind orchestras, classical bands, and jazz ensembles. The clarinet is also used for marching bands and is in classical music. It can also be used in blues, rock, bluegrass, and country music. Clarinets are also a very popular instrument to use for commercial jingles and theatrical music. In todays society the clarinet is a very popular and important instrument. It is used in chamber music, duets, trios, quartets, quintets, and many other orchestrations. The clarinet is also used for personal enjoyment.

    Now that we are done with the history of the clarinet I want to share some fun facts.

   1. The last instrument to be included in the symphony orchestra was the clarinet.

   2. There are a variety of clarinet types including the piccolo clarinet, the E-flat clarinet, the soprano clarinet (D and C), the B-flat clarinet, the A clarinet, the basset clarinet, the basset-horn clarinet, the alto clarinet, the bass clarinet, and the contrabass and contra-alto clarinets. 

    3. The clarinet is also known as the "little trumpet" and the "licorice stick".

    4. Mozart was the first major composer to add music that was written specifically for the clarinet.

    5.  The clarinet belongs to the woodwind family.













































































































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