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Clarinet Facts

Clarinet Facts
The clarinet is a musical instrument in the woodwind family. The clarinet dates back at least as far as the 3rd century BC to the Egyptian memet which was later adopted by the Romans and the Greeks. The memet eventually became the shawm, which was later adapted to the chalumeau and then the clarinet as well as the oboe - a similar instrument of the woodwind family but one that has no mouthpiece. During the Romantic period the clarinet and the horn were considered the most important wind instruments. The clarinet is used in a variety of music styles today including orchestras, jazz, and rock and other modern genres.
Interesting Clarinet Facts:
The clarinet is also known as the 'licorice stick', and 'little trumpet'.
A musician that plays the clarinet is referred to as a clarinettist.
Clarinets are commonly made of black wood from Africa. The instrument is also sometimes made of Mpingo wood. These trees have wood that resonated well. Other types of wood used include granadilla, rosewood, boxwood, and cocobolo.
Some clarinets are made of metal or plastic but traditional clarinets are made of wood.
The vibration of the clarinet's reed and the musician's key playing is what makes the sound in a clarinet. The reed vibrates when the clarinettist blows into the mouthpiece.
Clarinets come in different pitches and are classified as such. From highest to lowest they include the piccolo clarinet (key A flat), E-flat clarinet (key E flat), D clarinet (Key D), C Clarinet (key C), B flat clarinet (key b flat), A clarinet (key A), basset clarinet (key A), basset-horn (key F), alto clarinet (key E flat or F), bass clarinet (key B flat or A), E flat contrabass clarinet (key EE flat), and the contrabass clarinet (key BB flat).
The clarinet is made up of several parts including the mouthpiece, barrel, upper joint, pad, key, ring key, rod, lower joint, and the bell.
The smallest clarinet is the A flat piccolo clarinet and it is very uncommon.
The first real clarinet is believed to have been invented in the 1600s by Johann Denner, in Germany. However it is a direct descendent to the chalumeau.
The last instrument to be added to the symphony orchestra was the clarinet.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was the first composer to write a piece of music specifically for the clarinet.
The clarinet is often combined with other instruments including the piano, basset horn, string quartet, oboe, saxophone, bassoon, flute, horn, and others.
The clarinet became very popular with jazz musicians in the early 1900s. It was an important instrument in this genre well into the 40s in the big band era of music.
Famous jazz musicians who played the clarinet include Larry Shields, Johnny Dodds, Sidney Bechet, Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, and many others.
Modern music bands that used the clarinet in some of their music include Tom Waits, Pink Floyd, Aerosmith, and The Beatles.
Famous celebrities that are said to play the clarinet include Jimmy Kimmel, Steven Spielberg, and Julia Roberts.


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