Klarinetts

Klarinetts are a family of woodwind instruments that use a single reed and have a cylindrical bore. They are among the most versatile members of the woodwind section, appearing in orchestras, chamber music, wind ensembles, jazz, and traditional music. The standard instrument is the B-flat clarinet, with the A clarinet commonly used for classical repertoire, especially in orchestral tuning and in works written for lower transpositions. The plural form klarinetts follows the German pluralization of Klarinette.

A klarinetts typically consists of a mouthpiece with a single reed, a long tube with evenly spaced keys, and a bell at the end. The reed vibrates when the player blows, producing sound, while pitch is controlled by opening and closing holes and by register keys. Modern instruments usually use the Boehm system of keywork, which provides a wide range and flexible fingering for rapid passages and extended tonal colors. Materials range from grenadilla wood to composites and plastic, with wood favored for tone and plastic valued for durability and cost.

The clarinet family includes several sizes and pitches. Common solo and ensemble instruments are the B-flat and A soprano clarinets; larger members include the E-flat alto clarinet, the bass clarinet (in B-flat or A), and the contrabass clarinet. There are also occasional smaller or higher-pitched variants, such as the sopranino, piccolo, or specialized jazz designs. Repertoire spans classical, romantic, contemporary, and jazz styles, employing a wide range of dynamics, articulations, and extended techniques.

Historically, the clarinet was developed in the early 18th century by makers such as Johann Christoph Denner. Its design and key system were refined in the 18th and 19th centuries, with the Boehm system becoming dominant in the 19th century and shaping the instrument used today.