Clarinets are known for their smooth, creamy tone: warm and resonant low down, bright and clear up high. It's plaintive, clear sound can be perfect for a romantic melody or when agitated for creating angular accented textures and effects. They can make a surprisingly loud sound or play incredibly softly. Clarinets are also associated with the sound of jazz and are perfect for producing the typically rhythmic, swooping, rippling sounds of traditional jazz and swing.
The Clarinet Family
Clarinets come in many shapes and sizes from tiny high pitched sopranino clarinets to the largest contrabass instruments which can play lower than a double bass. Find out more with this illustrated guide to the clarinet family >>
How these pages are organised
In these pages the various aspects of clarinet and bass clarinet technique are demonstrated by Philharmonia players, Mark van de Weil and Michael Harris.
You can watch clips from video interviews with Mark and Michael in which they explain their instruments and play examples. There are also written explanations, photos, notation examples and audio clips to listen to.
Clarinet Questions & Discussion
If you have any questions, you can ask them in The Forum and join in discussions on clarinet issues. Philharmonia players will be visiting The Forum to help with problems and to give valuable support and feedback.
