Clarinets
The modern clarinet dates back to the early 18th century. The instrument quickly became a staple of classical orchestras and as time went by, its versatility then saw it adopted by concert bands and jazz musicians.
Today there are 3 main forms of clarinet:
The Bb Soprano is the standard beginner’s instrument and is also most commonly used by professionals in orchestras and concert bands.
Clarinets can be made of either plastic or wood.
Plastic clarinets
- Are generally intended for beginners and lower-intermediate players
- Have a reasonable sound
- Require less maintenance than wooden instruments but tend to have a shorter usable life
- Are very robust and are better able to withstand being dropped or knocked
- Can withstand rain and so can be played outdoors without damage
- Tend to have nickel-plated keys, which are more durable than silver but can trigger allergies
Wooden clarinets
- Are generally intended for upper-intermediate or professional players
- Have a better sound than plastic clarinets
- Require more maintenance but typically have a much longer usable life
- Are much more liable to be damaged by incorrect handling
- Need to be protected from water and therefore are best kept for indoor playing.
- Tend to have silver- or even gold-plated keys
Most clarinets use a fingering system called the standard Boehm system. There are, however, vintage and specialist clarinets which use other fingering systems.
The clarinet offers many advantages to both child and adult learners. It is:
- Relatively compact and light compared to many other instruments
- Quiet to practice
- Possible to practice in small space (doesn’t need “bowing space” like a violin)
- Easy to trade-on, when it’s time to move up to an intermediate or advanced instruments
- Suitable for both those who wish to play solo and those who want to join a group
There are, however, a few important points to remember:
- Very young children may find the clarinet’s key system too complicated for their small hands
- People with braces may have difficulties with the mouthpiece
- The keys and pads of a clarinet are easily damaged by incorrect handling. When assembling or disassembling your clarinet, always handle the joints by the edges whenever possible. If you must touch the keys, do so with the palm of your hand pressing down on them and your thumb on top