Clarinet Rental

About the Clarinet

Invented by Christopher Denner in the 18th century in Germany, the clarinet is a member
of the woodwind family. Using a single reed, the clarinet is the largest woodwind
instrument that comes in several different types, including the soprano clarinet, basset
clarinet, alto clarinet, and bass clarinet.

The clarinet gets its tone from the timbre and cylindrical bore which has three main
registers: the chalmeau, clarion, and atissimo. Depending on the musician, the instrument, the reed, the mouthpiece, and the music, the quality of the clarinet’s tone can vary. Of the woodwind family, clarinets have the biggest pitch range.

Clarinets can be made from a number of materials, including plastic, wood, metal and ivory. Most clarinets used by professional musicians are made from mpingo or African Blackwood. Inexpensive clarinets are usually made from plastic or resin. The mouthpiece is usually made from rubber or plastic. The clarinet also uses pads to cover the tones.

Russian born clarinetist Iwan Müller developed a type of pad in 1812 that was covered
in leather. This proved to be more useful then the original pads which were made of
felt. The leather made it so the keys would become completely air tight, and lead to the
invention of more keys being added onto the clarinet. Müller’s clarinet included thirteen
keys and seven finger holes.

Clarinets use one single reed made from a type of grass, although many synthetic
materials are commonly used to make reeds as well. Fastened to the mouthpiece is the
ligature. Blowing air through the opening between the mouthpiece and reed causes
vibrations in the reed which then produces the clarinet’s sound.

Classical music requires much clarinet participation. The clarinet section in orchestras
continued to grow during the end of the 19th century, using up to three clarinetists in a
performance. Olivier Messiaenm Gustav Mahler, and Richard Strauss were all composers
whome in the 20th century, chose to have up to nine clarinetists in the section, including
sopranos, basset, alto and bass clarinets.

If you’re looking to play a solo instrument, the clarinet is a great choice. In order to
showcase this noble instrument, countless concertos have been written over the clarinet’s
history, including a concerti by Weber, Copland, and Mozart, along with many chamber
music works.

Wind bands depend heavily on the clarinet, as it plays the central part of the
performances, often playing the same notes in the bands as the strings do in orchestras.
Other than partaking in general bands and orchestras, the clarinet plays a major role
in Dixieland music. Today, Filmmaker and clarinet enthusiast Woody Allen performs
often with his quartet in New York, playing New Orleans Jazz-style pieces. The
Beatles also used the clarinet in several of their songs, including :”When I’m Sixty-
Four” as does alternative rock band Radiohead in their song “Life in a Glasshouse”.

Clarinet Care Tips

The following care tips will ensure that your clarinet stays in excellent condition.

• The clarinet should be properly cleaned after playing and before being put back into
  its case. You want to remove the saliva and warm air that accumulated inside the
  clarinet when it is being used. This also insures that the clarinet will retain its shine.
  
• Always remove the reed after playing. Store it in a reed case so it can dry!
• Wipe fingerprints off the ligature and keys with a polishing cloth. Using any kind of
  metal polish is unnecessary. Only use key oil on your keys so insure the keys will move easily.
• Remove the mouthpiece. Using your swab, the cloth’s weight drops and gets strung
  through the clarinet from the barrel to the bell. Pull it through. This can be repeated
  several times. Dry the tenons after the pieces have been pulled apart. Before returning the swab to the case, let it dry.
• Use your cork grease. Rub the cork grease on the corks using your fingers. Do not
  grease the corks too often, however, as this will calls the corks to weaken and could
  cause them to fall apart. Apply as needed depending on the corks dryness or wear.
• Polish the keys using your cleaning cloth to remove grime and fingerprints. A dusting stick can also be used. This is a long, thin wire with a small broom on one end and what resembles a tooth-cleaner on the opposite end. Take out your cleaning cloth and polish the keys to remove fingerprints and grime. Carefully clean under and between the keys with the tooth-cleaning look-a-like end and use the broom end to dust off. Look for grime on the tone holes that your fingers cover.
• It’s also always a good idea to clean the insides of the clarinets joints using the swab to get rid of the excess saliva there, with or without the cork
• Put the cap over the mouthpiece and store the clarinet in its case whenever it is not
  being used.

Top 5 Recommended Clarinet Pieces to Master

Mozart Concerto For Clarinet, K. 622 Sheet Music