Soprano Clarinet
A soprano clarinet is what most people call a Bb clarinet. Except, not all soprano clarinets are tuned Bb, some are tuned in A. It is a basic term used for both Bb and some A tuned clarinets. When we use the term 'Clarinet' we are mostly referring to a Bb clarinet. It is the most common clarinet used in an orchestra.
A soprano clarinet is what most people call a Bb clarinet. Except, not all soprano clarinets are tuned Bb, some are tuned in A. It is a basic term used for both Bb and some A tuned clarinets. When we use the term 'Clarinet' we are mostly referring to a Bb clarinet. It is the most common clarinet used in an orchestra.
Alto Clarinet
Is the next step up from your standard soprano clarinet. It's invention has been credited to Iwan Muller who's improvements to the clarinet you can read about here. Muller had developed the alto clarinet, and was playing it around 1809. It had 16 keys then. It was after 1810 that in Europe Adolphe Sax made the most notable changes to the alto clarinet. Since the 1940's it had been questioned whether or not alto clarinets should still be allowed to play in the standard wind band as some arguments stat that it has a "relatively low volume and that its part is often doubled by other instruments." Many Middle Schools and High Schools have stopped playing this instrument in their bands.
Is the next step up from your standard soprano clarinet. It's invention has been credited to Iwan Muller who's improvements to the clarinet you can read about here. Muller had developed the alto clarinet, and was playing it around 1809. It had 16 keys then. It was after 1810 that in Europe Adolphe Sax made the most notable changes to the alto clarinet. Since the 1940's it had been questioned whether or not alto clarinets should still be allowed to play in the standard wind band as some arguments stat that it has a "relatively low volume and that its part is often doubled by other instruments." Many Middle Schools and High Schools have stopped playing this instrument in their bands.
Bass Clarinet
As you can see, the bass clarinet looks a lot like the alto clarinet, but slightly bigger. The bass clarinet may also remind you of a saxophone, as the man who invented the saxophone Adolphe Sax, perfected the bass clarinet. Bass clarinets have been used since the middle of the 19th century in orchestras. There is usually only one bass clarinet in the whole orchestra, and rarely ever two. The bass clarinet provides a "bass voice" and shares its role with the bassoon. Bass clarinets have been used in some popular songs by various bands over the years. A few are "When I'm Sixty- Four" by The Beetles, "I Belong To You" by Muse, and "Epitaph" by King Crimson.
As you can see, the bass clarinet looks a lot like the alto clarinet, but slightly bigger. The bass clarinet may also remind you of a saxophone, as the man who invented the saxophone Adolphe Sax, perfected the bass clarinet. Bass clarinets have been used since the middle of the 19th century in orchestras. There is usually only one bass clarinet in the whole orchestra, and rarely ever two. The bass clarinet provides a "bass voice" and shares its role with the bassoon. Bass clarinets have been used in some popular songs by various bands over the years. A few are "When I'm Sixty- Four" by The Beetles, "I Belong To You" by Muse, and "Epitaph" by King Crimson.