Instrument
Project
Beginning Band/Ms. Moser James
Period 5
10/2/08
I have been playing the clarinet for two years now, and I really
like it. The thing I like the most about the clarinet is its versatility. It
can play notes that are high, low, and in between. The clarinet is a really
awesome instrument to play!
The
Parts of the Clarinet
Necessary
Clarinet Supplies
·
Reed
Reeds vibrate to make the sound in the clarinet. Every
clarinetist should have about three working reeds at all times.
·
Swab
Swabs are used to clean the moisture out of the clarinet.
·
Cork
Grease
·
Reed
Guards Reed guards protect the tip of the reed from breaking off
when the reed is in storage, which is very important.
Clarinet
Care
Once a musician is finished
playing his or her clarinet, the first thing to do is to take off the reed and
put it into the reed guard. Secondly,
take the mouthpiece off. Next, take out the swab and pull it through the
body several times. After that, take the pieces apart and, one by one, clean
the joints and put the pieces back in the case. Lastly, pick up the mouthpiece
and dry it with a cloth. Always be careful! Another important thing is to wipe
the keys with a cloth every week, because the oil from fingers is bad for the
keys.
How
to Handle the Clarinet
For any musician, the
main rule for handling their instrument is to be careful. The clarinet is no
exception. When carrying the clarinet around in its case, always keep a firm
grip on the handle so the case is not dropped. If a clarinet is dropped or
kicked, even when it is inside the case, it will break. When a clarinet is set
down, the keys should always be facing upwards. If the keys are down, they will
bend and mess up the instrument.
How
to Store the Clarinet
The best environment to store a clarinet in is a cool, dry place. Even though the instrument is in its case, storage in an
area that meets these requirements is best for the clarinet. If the clarinet is
in a safe place where it will not fall, like at home, it is good to leave the
case open for a while to let the instrument air out. The most important rule to
remember is not to let the clarinet get in contact with moisture when in
storage.
How
to Prevent Theft or Loss of the Clarinet
A good way to prevent the loss or theft of an instrument is
to simply keep it in a safe place where nothing will happen to it. For example,
a locker is a good place for an instrument. If there is not a safe place,
another tactic is to never let it go out of your hand. Identification tags are
a good idea because they can be tied to the handle of the clarinet case. If the
clarinet is found by someone, they will know how to contact you.
Clarinet
History
The clarinet was
invented by Johann Christoph Denner
in the late 1600s. He modified an instrument called the chalumeau by adding the
register key. This key greatly increased the range of the range of the
instrument. Here is a timeline of the clarinet “evolution”:
Late 1600s- the clarinet is invented by J.C. Denner
1712- First ever pieces written for the clarinet
1716- Earliest clarinet use in the orchestra
1740- Third key is added
1750- Fourth and fifth key are added
1757- First clarinet concerto
1771- Mozart (pictured below) composes his first works using
the clarinet
1785- Mouthpiece and barrel become separate pieces
1791- Sixth key is added
1806- Iwan Muller invents key pads, the metal ligature and
the metal thumb rest
1812- Iwan Muller invents the first known thirteen-key
clarinet
1820- German clarinetists begin playing with the reed
touching the bottom lip instead of the top
1831- Bottom lip technique popularizes around the world
Clarinet
Fun Facts
Did you know that:
-The first modern clarinet was invented in
-The wood to make most clarinets comes from
-A normal B flat clarinet has the largest range of any
common woodwind?
-A normal B flat clarinet has seven holes to be covered?
Bibliography
Books:
Coetzee,
Chris. Saxophone and Clarinet.
Websites:
Clarinet
Care and Maintenance. Online.
Clarinet Questions,
Answers, Fun Facts, Information. Online.
Clarinet
History. Online.
Clarinet
Diagram. Online.
Mozart on
the Road. Online.
