How to Identify a Clarinet

You may be able to identify your clarinet based on visual features.

Identifying a member of the clarinet family can be no easy task. The term “clarinet” typically refers to the B-flat clarinet, which is commonly used in orchestra and symphony settings. It is the clarinet most people picture when they think of this instrument. However, the clarinet family contains many varieties, and each variety comes in many makes and models. If you are lucky, it’s as easy as asking the person from whom you obtained your clarinet. In cases where this is not possible or the answer is not known, your task becomes more difficult.

Things You'll Need

• Tuner

Instructions

Type of Clarinet

1. Visually identify the type of clarinet you have, if possible. Clarinets come in many shapes and sizes. Some are easier to identify based on size than others. For example, a bass clarinet is significantly larger than the more common B-flat clarinet. However, the clarinet family includes several differently pitched instruments that are similar in size and appearance, which may make it difficult to visually identify yours.

2. Turn on a tuner and place it in front of your clarinet to determine the pitch of your instrument. Play the note C on the clarinet and look at the reading on the tuner. If the tuner reads your C as a B-flat, you have a B-flat clarinet. If it reads the note as an E-flat, you have an E-flat clarinet.

3. Consult a clarinet expert, band teacher or music shop employee for help with identifying what type of clarinet you have, if necessary. While using the tuner method is a quick and easy way to identify the pitch of an in-tune instrument, remember that your note may be very out of tune depending on how old the clarinet is and what shape it is in. If you don’t feel confident in your own assessment or the intonation of the clarinet, get the clarinet professionally identified.

Make and Model

1. Check the surface area of the clarinet for the make and model information. Most clarinets display pertinent information such as the brand name of the clarinet somewhere prominent along the face of the instrument, such as on the bell or barrel.

2. Identify an unmarked clarinet based on other attributes. For example, the shape and design of the trill keys, the material which the instrument is made and the design of the lifting mechanism for the lower keys are all attributes that vary between makes and models of clarinet. If you are able to identify some of these features, you may be able to identify your clarinet.

3. Consult a professional if you are still unable to identify your clarinet. Identifying the make and model of an unmarked clarinet is a difficult task for amateur musicians, so don’t be afraid to take your instrument to your lessons instructor or your local music supply store and ask for a professional opinion.

References

• University of New Hampshire: Clarinet: The Online Crash Course
• Clarinet Depot: Choosing a Clarinet