Meet the Clarinet | Omaha Symphony Virtual Instruments

Learn about the clarinet and bass clarinet, including their parts and use, from Omaha Symphony’s Rosario Galante, Assistant Principal Clarinetist. Here he explains the clarinet’s main parts. The clarinet is a woodwind instrument with a straight, black body and a shiny bell at the end. It makes sound using a single reed, which is a thin piece of cane attached to the mouthpiece. The clarinet has about 17 to 20 keys made of metal. By pressing different keys and using finger holes, the player can make many different pitches.

The clarinet has a warm, smooth sound and is very versatile. It can sound gentle and quiet or bold and jazzy! In addition to being played in orchestras, the clarinet is also a favorite in jazz bands and marching bands, making it one of the most popular woodwind instruments in the world!

In addition to the clarinet, Galante displays the bass clarinet, the grandfather of the clarinet family, in the accompanying video.  The bass clarinet is so large that its top and bottom are bent to make it easier for musicians to hold and play. Its greater length allows it to play some of the lowest notes in the orchestra.