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Fact Sheet

Types of Clarinets

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By Cicely A. Richard
eHow Contributing Writer
(1 Ratings)

Clarinets are part of the woodwind family of musical instruments. Clarinets use single-reed mouthpieces. Reeds are the wooden pieces that have to be moistened and attached over the mouthpiece. They help produce sound in the different types of clarinets. There are several different types of clarinets in this musical instrument family.

    B-Flat Clarinet

  1. This is one the common type of clarinets used in orchestras and high school bands. This clarinet usually comes in five pieces and is played with a single reed. The sound ranges from very low to extremely high. Although it is called a B-flat clarinet, its central note is middle C.
  2. Bass Clarinet

  3. This type of clarinet is longer and heavier than other varieties of clarinets, requiring a neck strap for the player. It has a sound that descends to a low C. It looks like a large B-flat clarinet.
  4. Contrabass Clarinet

  5. The contrabass has a B-flat pitch; it is two octaves lower than a B-flat soprano clarinet and one below the bass clarinet. It resembles a long saxophone.
  6. Alto Clarinet

  7. This is a type of clarinet with an E-flat pitch, and it is one octave lower than a baby E-flat clarinet. It is often used to play the third part in clarinet music. Its sound complements the bass clarinet. Players need a neck strap or a peg leg to hold it up while playing because it is so big.
  8. Saxonette

  9. This member of the woodwind family is a mix between a saxophone and a clarinet, commonly referred to as a French clarinet. The top and bottom end of the saxonette look like saxophones, while the notes look like clarinets. This is one of the types of clarinets that use the C pitch, and it uses the Albert key system.
  10. Contra Alto Clarinet

  11. This type of clarinet has an E-flat pitch and is one octave below the bass clarinet. It can be either straight or curved shape.
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