• November 20, 2021

The genealogical timeline of the clarinet family

The clarinet family are some of the most expressive instruments in any orchestra, brass ensemble, or jazz band. They have a very distinguishable sound that spans all ranges: low, medium, and high. We are very attracted to the sound of clarinets because they are very similar to us. The “liquorice bar”, as it was once called, can express a wide range of emotions, from serious, happy, sensual, uplifting, sexy, dark, loving, dreamy or melancholic.

The beginning of the clarinet family
Clarinets were not invented per se, but originally existed as popular shawms. Shawms date back to the 1400s and 1500s and were known in France as “bombardes” or “chalameux” and in Germany as “pommern.” They were slightly tapered, had a narrow gauge, 6 finger holes, an open key inside a protective cylinder for the little finger, and a double oboe-like reed. In the late 1600s, renowned woodwind maker Johann Christian Denner from Nuremberg turned the chalameux into a clarinet when he shaped them into an oboe.

Clarinets were the first reed instruments to have a cylindrical versus a conical gauge and were made of boxwood. The wooden tubes were cut into several joints with a separate bell. Early clarinets were played with the reed tied to the mouthpiece with a string and against the player’s upper lip, which often produced a strident sound. It was not until 1831 in Paris that the reed was changed to the lower lip providing a more pleasant tone.

The first clarinets of the clarinet family had a key over the front holes to produce a ‘and another key on the opposite side for b’ and were released in C. In 1720, Denner’s son modified the clarinets by moving the hole b ‘towards the top. With the vent hole at the top end of the cylinder, the fundamentals scale could sound 12º louder. The hole was covered by a speaker key. When the third key was added, the range was expanded by a semitone to make it possible to play the missing b. During this time it was difficult to play in different pitches, so the body of the clarinets was divided into 3 sections so that the player could use interchangeable joints of different lengths.

In 1750 the fourth (Ab, Eb) and fifth (F #, C #) keys were added and clarinets were no longer just solo instruments, but were now accepted into the orchestra. In 1790 further refinements were made when the sixth key (C #, G #) was added and the pear-shaped barrel disappeared. Although the mechanics improved with the addition of keys, there continued to be continued difficulties with fingering, correct embouchere, and intonation, so different clarinets were made for playing sharp, flat keys. Finally, in 1809, Iwan Muller developed the prototype for what became the modern 13-key Bb clarinet. In 1817, this model was improved by the use of pads over the countersunk tone holes and the metal ligation was invented. In the mid-1800s, Hyacinthe Eleanore Klose ‘made the last major modification, which used ring keys like the ones Boehm had used for flutes in order to simplify the fingering system.

Bass clarinets
The first bass clarinets in the clarinet family were developed in 1772 by Giles Lot in Paris. They were called bass tubes. They are in the keys of Bb, C and A, have a key of Eb, and are one octave below the clarinet with the ability to span 3-1 / 2 octaves. Between 1772 and 1836, different musicians from various countries built bass clarinets, including Adolphe Sax in 1836. The bass clarinet is similar in appearance to the saxophone in that it has a curved bell and the mouthpiece is attached to a curved neck. Their tone is full and deep and they are most popular in free jazz or avant-garde versus jazz.

Alto clarinet
Within the clarinet family, the alto clarinet in the key of G existed in 1792 and was later changed to the key of F and Eb. He never acquired a role in the orchestra, but was used as a tenor clarinet in British military bands as the saxophone did not yet exist. Its best quality was its ability to project sound extremely well.

Contrabass clarinets
Another member of the clarinet family was the Bb double bass clarinets, which had been around since the 19th century. They are one octave below the bass clarinet, have a rich tone, and are easily played. Leblanc of France made a folding model with a mechanism that straddles the double tube. It was used in the London Symphony Orchestra.

Contrabass clarinets
Played two octaves below the clarinet, double bass clarinets have a solid, full tone. Starting in 1808, different versions were developed, but it was not until 1890 that Fontaine-Besson of Paris finally produced an excellent one. The disadvantage of this musical instrument is that it was very expensive, so it was not used much.

Cousins ​​of the clarinet family
Basset horns
Basset horns were first made in 1770. They were made of wood that was split lengthwise, then the two halves were hollowed out, and then glued together to form a crescent. This was then covered with leather. In 1800, the shape of the horn was changed to be very bent at an almost right angle. It underwent another shape alteration a few years later when Heinrich Gresner in Dresden tried to give it a straight shape as it is today. Basset horns are basically a alto clarinet, but with a narrower diameter, thinner walls, and four semitones below the low e.

Contrabasset horns
Contrabasset horns were first developed in the early 19th century by Georg Streitwolf in Göttingen. They are in the key of F and one octave below the basset trumpet. From the 1880s to the 1900s, some musicians tried to revise them, but they were not used much and they are rare.

Although the clarinet has been quite popular, especially during the early years of jazz, not everyone knows that the clarinet family has taken a long time to evolve since its beginnings as a shawm in the 15th century. It has many family members who are unique in their own way, but very similar to the clarinet, just like any member of the human family. The sound of clarinets has also developed from a shrill and unpleasant sound to a tone that is pleasant and captures a wide range of emotions of the human spirit. If you want to pursue your musical interests, you can find professionally crafted clarinets for a very reasonable price at http://www.djmusicstore.co.

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