A/B flat Clarinets: These clarinets are known as the "normal" clarinets because of how often these types of clarinets are used in the concert band and in orchestras. These clarinets are also referred to as the "soprano" clarinets. The most often used out of these two are by far, the B flat clarinets. Both in the wind orchestra and in jazz music, A clarinets are not often used, yet they are still common is classical music. Both of these instruments make a beautiful and pure sound that can really make the emotion in the music they are playing stand out. E flat Clarinet: The E flat clarinet is the smallest of all the clarinet family and is around a third shorter that the A and B flat clarinets. It is played in E flat, which is where it got it's name. The fingering on the E flat clarinet is the same as it would be on the B flat and A clarinets, besides the fact that it is a bit more narrow... Most E flat clarinets produce a sharp, sometimes shrill sound. Alto Clarinet: The Alto Clarinet is a lower version of the soprano clarinets and they are used in harmony bands and symphonic bands, yet not really are all in classical symphony. They are typically found in Eb or F. Bass Clarinet: The bass clarinet is a much bigger version of the B flat clarinet and is about 40 inches tall (meter) in height. The barrel part of the Bass clarinet is an S-shaped metal piece much like the saxophone's. It is a very low instrument that has a lot of bass, which is why it is called what it is. Contra-Alto and Contra-Bass Clarinet: The Contra-Bass clarinet is about 2.50 meters in length and about 3 octaves lower than the B flat clarinet. It is the lowest of all the clarinets and it is noted in B flat, while the Contra-Alto is noted in E flat. |
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