A Clarinet is a straight instrument in the woodwind family. The most common clarinet is called a Bb (B flat) clarinet. Next to the bassoon, the clarinet has the largest pitch ranges.

In order to make sound, a clarinet requires a single reed (other instruments in this family, such as an oboe, require a double reed), commonly made from cane. The air rushing past the reed causes it to vibrate, making a sound.

The clarinet is a versatile member of the orchestra, the principal treble woodwind of the concert band. The clarinet is a transposing instrument--its part in the score is written at a different pitch from the one actually sounded.

A Clarinet breaks down into 5 sections: 
The mouth piece 
The barrel 
The upper joint 
The lower joint 
The bell 
For information on Clarinet Reeds please click here.

Most modern clarinet bodies are made out of African blackwood (Dalbergia melanoxylon). There are actually many different trees in the African blackwood genus, such as black cocus, Mozambique ebony, grenadilla, and East African ebony. It is this heavy, dark wood that gives clarinets their characteristic color. Inexpensive clarinets designed for students may be made out of artificial resins. Very occasionally, clarinets are manufactured out of silver or brass. The clarinet mouthpiece is made out of a kind of hard rubber called ebonite. The keys are usually made out of an alloy called German silver. This is made from copper, zinc, and nickel. It looks like pure silver, but does not tarnish. Some fine instruments may be made with pure silver keys, and expensive models are available with gold-plated keys. The key pads require cardboard and felt or leather. The reed is made from cane. Other materials used in the clarinet are cork and wax, for lining the joints, and a metal such as silver or a cheaper alloy for the ligature, the screw clip that holds the reed in place, and stainless steel for the spring mechanisms that work the keys.

Rendall, F. Geoffrey. The Clarinet. Norton, 1971.