How The Clarinet Changed My Life
Music is what my life runs on from day to day. Without music, my life would be a lost cause. So all thanks to a German instrument maker and his son, the clarinet was created. Johann Christoph Denner and his son Jacob, improved the chalumeau by adding a register key to the instrument, and later the chalumeau received the Boehm flute key system (Bellis), which created what my musical life all started on: the clarinet and family. The very first original clarinets had only two keys to be played – eventually three (“The Clarinet”). Though despite the small size and few keys, the clarinet could hit more notes, and was louder than most other instruments of its age (“The Clarinet”). Around the mid 1740’s, ensembles started to include the new and profound clarinet in their pieces of instrumental music (“The Clarinet”).
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It took a while, but after a little bit, the clarinet was improved to what it is today: an epically awesome, wide ranged toned instrument. Through many years, a total of six different types of the clarinet in the clarinet family have come to be: the original B flat clarinet, the E flat clarinet, Alto clarinet, Bass clarinet, Contra-Alto Clarinet and the Contra Bass clarinet. Personally, my top favorite is the B flat clarinet, followed by my second favorite, which just so happens to be the all-amazing Bass clarinet. Interesting enough, the different ranges, tones, pitches, and dynamics that the clarinet offers makes it a beast in any ensemble or orchestra to further help create the music – also known as art. Though in order to achieve this, the mouthpiece is required. For the mouthpiece is just about what makes any instrument tick. The mouthpiece, for the clarinet down to the Contra Bass clarinet is wider, thicker, requires different reeds, and both the mouthpiece and reed lay differently for each clarinet. The mouthpiece is the piece that is basically in charge of the rest of the instrument; it is the “go” piece. This essential part of the clarinet makes it possible to hit different pitches all along the scale whether going up, down, or in the middle of it’s range. Another key feature of these instruments are the keys. True, air can be blown down through the mouthpiece, but the keys are what determine what notes are ale to be played. Initially, the smallest clarinet is the E flat clarinet, and to tell you what, this thing has pitch written all over it; that is a very high pitch. The only difference between the E flat and B flat clarinet is the size and the key that it is written in. This E flat instrument is written in the key of a violin. So when you transform the violin into a woodwind, the sound emitted is a very high, sharp one (“E Flat Clarinet”). In school, I know a fine musician who does in fact play the clarinet as I do. Despite playing just the clarinet though, he has gone forward to test the regions of the E flat clarinet. Allow me to tell you, the clarinet is a hard instrument to master. Even the finest musicians with the best musical talents – such as listening, and playing – will find it very hard to start playing the E flat instrument. Neighboring on the edge of a Base clarinet is the Alto clarinet. The Alto clarinet is practically just like an original B flat clarinet in size, just a little bigger. There is not much about the Alto clarinet; however, it is an important instrument. The Alto clarinet fills the musical hole that is created by the original clarinet and Bass clarinet (Nasby). In the United States of America today, it is very hard to find an Alto clarinet player; though, the parts for an Alto clarinet are written, the parts are just waiting for a player.
Even so, clarinets are very important to any ensemble/orchestra because of the high string instruments such as violins, and other strings like unto it (“Clarinets in Orchestras”). Such as when there is a wind orchestra, no strings, just winds. Since there are no strings to cover the higher parts, the clarinet completes that job with its high and low range capabilities. The clarinets ability to cover other instrument parts for instrumentation is a big deal. The clarinet can cover the saxophone part if needed, and I personally have experience covering the Tuba and other brass parts with the Bass clarinet. The Bass clarinet is a magnificent woodwind!
It has a lower tone than any of the other woodwinds, making it possible for the Bass clarinet to not only cover the tuba part on some occasions, but to also cover the bassoon parts because of some more keys that were added to the Bass clarinet (“The Bass Clarinet”). I love the Bass clarinet because of how low it can go, and the dynamics of the Bass Clarinet are awesome! I have found through a few years of playing the instrument, that it can play almost any phrase of music at a very low and soft pianissimo and gradually, or immediately on the spot, hit a hard forte, yet keep the sound and pitch that is very likeable among the crowd. The Bass clarinet, in my mind, is the “Superman” of the whole clarinet family. The sound of a few Bass clarinets playing together sounds truly amazing, especially when the players hook their instrument up to an amplifier. In fact, a great example of what I mean, and I am not lying, is the song called “Black” by Sqwonk. Black throws out crazy tempos and many different times to follow, however, “Black” sounds totally wicked! Don’t believe me? Go right ahead and look it
up.
Next, what I would consider is the sister to the upcoming Contra Bass clarinet, is the Contra-Alto clarinet. The Contra-Alto clarinet is a magnificent instrument. It not only can play lower than the Bass clarinet of course, but its capability of doing so is amazing. This instrument has a very fascinating ability to look over and transpose music by the player. The Contra-Alto clarinet part can be transposed to the tuba part very easily and emit an even greater all around sound than the Bass clarinet itself (Nasby). In many cases, the Contra-Alto clarinet is thought of to be a bigger version of the all out amazing Bass clarinet, and seeing how the Contra-Alto can go just about a fifth lower than the Bass Clarinet, it is true (Newton).
Furthermore, the next version of the clarinet is what Brody Harrison calls a “vibrating two by four”. Interestingly enough, that name practically speaks the truth for the Contra Bass clarinet. Something that Brody and I have found sometimes entertaining and experienced first hand with the bass line of the clarinet section is the spit. As we play, spit flies everywhere, and I mean everywhere. The source is the mouthpiece, so all in all, mouthpieces are wonderful! However, they can be deadly at the same time. If Brody was to color his spit red one day, when wearing a white shirt, anyone around him within a two person radius, including himself, would be covered in the color red. Thus, mouthpieces are a fantastic piece of machinery, yet deadly at the same time depending on the instrument. The Contra Bass clarinet can go one octave below the Bass clarinet. So without any doubt, the Contra Bass clarinet is definitely the lowest clarinet in the whole clarinet family. The Contra Bass clarinet is used today for it’s low note reaching capabilities. In an orchestra, the Cello and Contra Bass are the main bass lines with other wind instruments such as the Contra Bassoon, which as a whole, create an amazing, spectacular blend of sounds within the rest of the orchestra or ensemble. The Contra Bass clarinet is a good bass line, however, with such a big instrument, comes some problems. The keys on the Contra Bass clarinet are quite larger and longer than those of any instrument before it. Thus, this causes for possible leakage and an airy sound when played. Therefore, this instrument needs to have a close eye on it all of the time and constantly regulated (Green). At length, since the Contra Bass clarinet gives out such a great bass sound, it can easily blend really well with other instruments such as the Tuba, Trombones, etc (Green). Although the Contra requires regular maintenance, it provides a magnificent bass sound for the clarinets in an orchestra, ensemble, clarinet choir, or just as is.
In conclusion, this is what my entire life started on: the simple chalumeau. Which received small, simple modifications as time grew on. Eventually, great German instrument inventors and family added even greater modifications to the chalumeau, which allowed me to start my musical background on the clarinet. Through many years, the clarinet’s small family was made greater and bigger. The original B flat clarinet is beast in any ensemble or orchestra. The instrument can go high, or low on the scale of octaves, creating a fantastic all around instrument, the clarinet. Next, the E flat clarinet was born. The E flat clarinet is a tiny dude for a big guy, but hey, it is a fun instrument, if understood. The sound that the E flat clarinet makes is high and sharp tone. Played correctly, the E flat offers a violin pitch for any song. The Alto clarinet is not very much besides another type of clarinet, almost extinct. Now the king of the reigns is the Bass Clarinet! It’s blend, balance, and tone is superb in an ensemble or orchestra. The Bass Clarinets ability to blend is with other instruments whether forte or pianissimo while still emitting a pleasing sound is superb. Around a fifth lower than the Bass clarinet, comes the Contra-Alto clarinet. This instrument is the sister to the “vibrating two by four”. The Contra-Alto’s ability to easily transpose the Tuba part brings quite a few different opportunities for a band. The Contra Bass clarinet is the father of the clarinet family. It’s deep bass sound is what can carry any clarinet choir to the top of the ranks. All in all, when these clarinets are together playing music in an ensemble or orchestra, the sound will be tremendous! The balance and tone of all of these instruments will serve greatly with the blend of other instruments. After all, the job of any musician is not to compete for anything or any of the sorts, but rather to create an art that can shared amongst everyone.
It took a while, but after a little bit, the clarinet was improved to what it is today: an epically awesome, wide ranged toned instrument. Through many years, a total of six different types of the clarinet in the clarinet family have come to be: the original B flat clarinet, the E flat clarinet, Alto clarinet, Bass clarinet, Contra-Alto Clarinet and the Contra Bass clarinet. Personally, my top favorite is the B flat clarinet, followed by my second favorite, which just so happens to be the all-amazing Bass clarinet. Interesting enough, the different ranges, tones, pitches, and dynamics that the clarinet offers makes it a beast in any ensemble or orchestra to further help create the music – also known as art. Though in order to achieve this, the mouthpiece is required. For the mouthpiece is just about what makes any instrument tick. The mouthpiece, for the clarinet down to the Contra Bass clarinet is wider, thicker, requires different reeds, and both the mouthpiece and reed lay differently for each clarinet. The mouthpiece is the piece that is basically in charge of the rest of the instrument; it is the “go” piece. This essential part of the clarinet makes it possible to hit different pitches all along the scale whether going up, down, or in the middle of it’s range. Another key feature of these instruments are the keys. True, air can be blown down through the mouthpiece, but the keys are what determine what notes are ale to be played. Initially, the smallest clarinet is the E flat clarinet, and to tell you what, this thing has pitch written all over it; that is a very high pitch. The only difference between the E flat and B flat clarinet is the size and the key that it is written in. This E flat instrument is written in the key of a violin. So when you transform the violin into a woodwind, the sound emitted is a very high, sharp one (“E Flat Clarinet”). In school, I know a fine musician who does in fact play the clarinet as I do. Despite playing just the clarinet though, he has gone forward to test the regions of the E flat clarinet. Allow me to tell you, the clarinet is a hard instrument to master. Even the finest musicians with the best musical talents – such as listening, and playing – will find it very hard to start playing the E flat instrument. Neighboring on the edge of a Base clarinet is the Alto clarinet. The Alto clarinet is practically just like an original B flat clarinet in size, just a little bigger. There is not much about the Alto clarinet; however, it is an important instrument. The Alto clarinet fills the musical hole that is created by the original clarinet and Bass clarinet (Nasby). In the United States of America today, it is very hard to find an Alto clarinet player; though, the parts for an Alto clarinet are written, the parts are just waiting for a player.
Even so, clarinets are very important to any ensemble/orchestra because of the high string instruments such as violins, and other strings like unto it (“Clarinets in Orchestras”). Such as when there is a wind orchestra, no strings, just winds. Since there are no strings to cover the higher parts, the clarinet completes that job with its high and low range capabilities. The clarinets ability to cover other instrument parts for instrumentation is a big deal. The clarinet can cover the saxophone part if needed, and I personally have experience covering the Tuba and other brass parts with the Bass clarinet. The Bass clarinet is a magnificent woodwind!
It has a lower tone than any of the other woodwinds, making it possible for the Bass clarinet to not only cover the tuba part on some occasions, but to also cover the bassoon parts because of some more keys that were added to the Bass clarinet (“The Bass Clarinet”). I love the Bass clarinet because of how low it can go, and the dynamics of the Bass Clarinet are awesome! I have found through a few years of playing the instrument, that it can play almost any phrase of music at a very low and soft pianissimo and gradually, or immediately on the spot, hit a hard forte, yet keep the sound and pitch that is very likeable among the crowd. The Bass clarinet, in my mind, is the “Superman” of the whole clarinet family. The sound of a few Bass clarinets playing together sounds truly amazing, especially when the players hook their instrument up to an amplifier. In fact, a great example of what I mean, and I am not lying, is the song called “Black” by Sqwonk. Black throws out crazy tempos and many different times to follow, however, “Black” sounds totally wicked! Don’t believe me? Go right ahead and look it
up.
Next, what I would consider is the sister to the upcoming Contra Bass clarinet, is the Contra-Alto clarinet. The Contra-Alto clarinet is a magnificent instrument. It not only can play lower than the Bass clarinet of course, but its capability of doing so is amazing. This instrument has a very fascinating ability to look over and transpose music by the player. The Contra-Alto clarinet part can be transposed to the tuba part very easily and emit an even greater all around sound than the Bass clarinet itself (Nasby). In many cases, the Contra-Alto clarinet is thought of to be a bigger version of the all out amazing Bass clarinet, and seeing how the Contra-Alto can go just about a fifth lower than the Bass Clarinet, it is true (Newton).
Furthermore, the next version of the clarinet is what Brody Harrison calls a “vibrating two by four”. Interestingly enough, that name practically speaks the truth for the Contra Bass clarinet. Something that Brody and I have found sometimes entertaining and experienced first hand with the bass line of the clarinet section is the spit. As we play, spit flies everywhere, and I mean everywhere. The source is the mouthpiece, so all in all, mouthpieces are wonderful! However, they can be deadly at the same time. If Brody was to color his spit red one day, when wearing a white shirt, anyone around him within a two person radius, including himself, would be covered in the color red. Thus, mouthpieces are a fantastic piece of machinery, yet deadly at the same time depending on the instrument. The Contra Bass clarinet can go one octave below the Bass clarinet. So without any doubt, the Contra Bass clarinet is definitely the lowest clarinet in the whole clarinet family. The Contra Bass clarinet is used today for it’s low note reaching capabilities. In an orchestra, the Cello and Contra Bass are the main bass lines with other wind instruments such as the Contra Bassoon, which as a whole, create an amazing, spectacular blend of sounds within the rest of the orchestra or ensemble. The Contra Bass clarinet is a good bass line, however, with such a big instrument, comes some problems. The keys on the Contra Bass clarinet are quite larger and longer than those of any instrument before it. Thus, this causes for possible leakage and an airy sound when played. Therefore, this instrument needs to have a close eye on it all of the time and constantly regulated (Green). At length, since the Contra Bass clarinet gives out such a great bass sound, it can easily blend really well with other instruments such as the Tuba, Trombones, etc (Green). Although the Contra requires regular maintenance, it provides a magnificent bass sound for the clarinets in an orchestra, ensemble, clarinet choir, or just as is.
In conclusion, this is what my entire life started on: the simple chalumeau. Which received small, simple modifications as time grew on. Eventually, great German instrument inventors and family added even greater modifications to the chalumeau, which allowed me to start my musical background on the clarinet. Through many years, the clarinet’s small family was made greater and bigger. The original B flat clarinet is beast in any ensemble or orchestra. The instrument can go high, or low on the scale of octaves, creating a fantastic all around instrument, the clarinet. Next, the E flat clarinet was born. The E flat clarinet is a tiny dude for a big guy, but hey, it is a fun instrument, if understood. The sound that the E flat clarinet makes is high and sharp tone. Played correctly, the E flat offers a violin pitch for any song. The Alto clarinet is not very much besides another type of clarinet, almost extinct. Now the king of the reigns is the Bass Clarinet! It’s blend, balance, and tone is superb in an ensemble or orchestra. The Bass Clarinets ability to blend is with other instruments whether forte or pianissimo while still emitting a pleasing sound is superb. Around a fifth lower than the Bass clarinet, comes the Contra-Alto clarinet. This instrument is the sister to the “vibrating two by four”. The Contra-Alto’s ability to easily transpose the Tuba part brings quite a few different opportunities for a band. The Contra Bass clarinet is the father of the clarinet family. It’s deep bass sound is what can carry any clarinet choir to the top of the ranks. All in all, when these clarinets are together playing music in an ensemble or orchestra, the sound will be tremendous! The balance and tone of all of these instruments will serve greatly with the blend of other instruments. After all, the job of any musician is not to compete for anything or any of the sorts, but rather to create an art that can shared amongst everyone.