As I have not even reached beginner stage yet I'm confused when people talk about the different types of clarinet C, Eb and Bb, what is the difference between them all?

The standard clarinet is pitched in Bb - that is, when you finger and play what you read in your music as a C, the note which actually comes out is the Bb a tone lower. Most clarinet players, once they become more advanced, have a clarinet in A too - this is slightly longer and plays another semitone lower. For playing in certain keys it's more convenient to use an A clarinet rather than a Bb.

The C clarinet is the only clarinet where the note you play sounds at the written pitch - so it's very useful when playing music with others that doesn't include a designated clarinet (Bb) part - you can use it to replace a violin, oboe etc.

There's an Eb soprano, which is much shorter than the standard clarinet - it plays much higher, as one might expect, and they can be a bit wayward. There's one pitched in Ab, I think, which is really small and shrill, but it's rarely used.

The larger sizes are Eb alto, bass and contrabass (I'm not sure what keys the last two are in, as I don't have either of those!).

The standard bass clarinet is in B flat with the same range as the "ordinary" B flat clarinet, but there are now quite a lot which go a semitone lower, including (relatively!) inexpensive plastic ones. I expect the contrabass is in E flat, but don't know for certain.

Contrabass clarinets are in Bb as well, pitched an octave below the bass clarinet, and therefore two octaves below the standard clarinet. An octave below that is the octocontrabass (also in Bb). There was apparently only one of them ever made, probably because you feel it rather than hear it! Contrabasses do come in Eb, but tend to be known as contra-alto clarinets then.

Randall, don't worry too much about anything other than a Bb clarinet at the moment. You won't need a clarinet in A until Grade 6 at the earliest, but it's perfectly possible to go much further than that with only a Bb clarinet - it's far more fun to make your accompanist play in seven sharps than to torture yourself in some serious finger-twisting! Jo's explanation is spot on, and I hope it makes sense to you.

You will, I'm sure, be pleased to learn that the fingerings are the same for all members of the clarinet family.

My (not very expensive) bass has an extra key so that it goes down to Eb, which is fairly standard for bass clarinets, but the more expensive ones have even more extra keys so that they go down to C.

Useless fact as to why bass clarinets have an extra key to go down to Eb rather than just E: Once upon a time there was a rare beast called Bass Clarinet in A. It never really took off - it crops up in a few Wagner and Strauss scores, and that's about all. Having to change instruments mid-performance is a real pain, especially when they're the size and weight of a bass clarinet, so the Bb developed an extra key to cover the same range, bass clarinettists learnt to play in Gb minor, and bass clarinet in A all but died - I think the very last few examples live in captivity somewhere in Germany. At least, that's how I've always understood it, but if anyone reading this knows different, post away!

Wow... Wicked!

mine goes to Eb too!!

I too am just starting to learn the clarinet. Having played the piano for many years in the past, I was very confused to learn that playing "C" on my B flat clarinet actually prduced a B flat. I'm still pretty confused about it but I hope to get past this.

I am considering a C Clarinet made by Arioso. I don't expect to play with anyone other than my mother, who plays the piano. Any thoughts on that? Has anyone tried the Arioso clarinets?

I'm also considering a Hanson student model. I've read some positive reviews of them. Your thoughts?

I've got an Arioso C clarinet - a very nice instrument!

NB It's made by Tom Ridenour - it's the model which is called the Arioso, NOT the maker!

I believe Tom Ridenour's Arioso model is a replacement for his TR147 clarinet. They've all had very good reviews, though it seems rather expensive for a Hard rubber clarinet.

Personally, I'd say the cheaper Hanson model is best for a beginner, then save up for a really good wooden clarinet later.

Bear in mind that in the USA there is a huge market for good plastic/hard rubber clarinets because of all the marching bands. Hence the higher priced models like Arioso.

Steve

PS Ridenour also sells something called the ATG system (Against the grain) that's meant to improve and make almost every reed playable.

I've actually gone all out and ordered both Ridenour's Arioso and the Hanson HE-5V. I hope to be able to compare them before choosing which to keep.

Amy

Are there any clarinets with fingering similar to descant recorder or sax? Ie, B=1, A=1,2, G=1,2,3 fingers.

S.

everyone has fogotten the Eb Contra Alto/Contra bass clarinet. Also the F basset horn or alto clarinet specifically designed to play two or thre bach (I do believe) pieces. these instruments go down to low C. Also the low C on bass clarinet allows it to play at the same pitch and range as a bassoon.