The Clarinet
The Clarinet is a wooden instrument and so belongs in the Woodwind section of the orchestra.Johann Christoph Denner invented the clarinet in Germany around the turn of the 18th century by adding a register key to the earlier chalumeau (an instrument looking like a recorder but with a mouthpiece like the Calrinet) Over time, additional keywork and airtight pads were added to improve tone and playability. It is a single reed instrument which usually takes lower notes than the flute in an ensemble. Today, the clarinet is used in jazz and classical ensembles, in chamber groups, and as a solo instrument.
Below is a very short excerpt from Mozart's Clarinet Concerto. In a Concerto, the solo instrument, a clarinet in this case, is accompanied by the Orchestra. In Mozart's time, the 18th Century, the Clarinet had just been invented and was a favourite instrument of Mozart. This Clarinet Concerto is one of his best loved works.
The following is a short excerpt from American composer George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. Very different in style to Mozart, this was composed in the 20th century and has a strong Jazz influence. Note the Glissando (Slide). Again it features solo clarinet accompanied by the orchestra.