What is a clarinet? Types of clarinets

Everyone knows how to talk about how Carl had stolen corals from Clara, and Clara from Carl stole a clarinet. With corals in general, somehow it is clear, but what about the clarinet, the idea is not at all. It is necessary to conduct a study and go on a tour of the history of the creation, sound and description of this interesting musical instrument.

Visually it is a pipe, or a pipe, which is called a clarinet. And yet, what is a clarinet? It is a wind musical instrument with an unusual sound. But where did it come from and who could create this masterpiece? To get an answer to this question, you need a little time travel.

History of the clarinet

The beginning of the clarinet takes in the late XVII - early XVIII century. The Nuremberg musical master Johann Christoph Denner worked hard on this instrument. In fact, the master tried to improve the design of the chalume (pipe). In 1701 a new bell-shaped bell appeared. Externally, the novelty resembled the bell of the clarion pipe. By the way, the sound also became similar to this instrument, whose name originated from the Latin word clarus - "clear". It became obvious that this is a completely different, new musical instrument. Thanks to such forms, a strange tool called clarinetto. This is the Italian name, which means "little clarino". The musical instrument began to be called a "small pipe", and the very name "clarinet" is a diminutive of clarion.

Once the clarinet is not improved! A special place I would like to take Jakob Denner, it was thanks to his efforts that the clarinet was equipped with another valve. This is not all that Jakob Denner did.

Just two valves? No, this improvement of the clarinet did not end there. Inspired by the improvement, the talented musicians sought more global changes, and the valves appeared more and more. And only in 1790 the last sixth valve appeared on the clarinet. On this high-minded men decided to stop for a while. But in the XIX century, the clarinet was adapted to what was used only on the flute - this is a whole system of ring valves.

If you list everyone who put their hand to this amazing musical instrument, there will be famous people on the list. Among them are such bright minds as Berthold Fritz, Eugene Albera, Xavier Lefevre, Karl Berman and even Adolf Sachs.

Based on historical data, you can give a clear answer to the question about what a clarinet is. It is an advanced old French pipe which has almost 20 valves, springs, many screws, axles and even links. But the evolution of clarinets continues to this day.

The uniqueness of this tool is visible at the very moment when the case with it opens, and at this moment it is worth diving into the anatomy of this masterpiece.

Mouthpiece

What it is? The mouthpiece looks like an avian beak. His device deserves special attention, because this element in the sound of the instrument plays far from the last role. On it there is a bend or a notch. The mouthpiece is taken into the mouth in order to inhale air into it. And all this affects everything:

• Distance from the tip of the mouthpiece to the end of the cane;
• More precisely, its length;
• The angle at which the mouthpiece is tilted.

But not only does the mouthpiece give the instrument such a sound.

Barrel

If you look at the clarinet, the question arises: what is it on it for a small barrel? This keg is responsible for adjusting the clarinet. Thanks to him, the structure of the instrument changes. Changes occur up to a quarter of a tone. To do this, before the start of the game, the barrel is slightly extended or, conversely, the cask is pushed into the casing. There are no valves on it, but there is a name of the manufacturer, which undoubtedly makes the tool more elegant and attractive visually.

Cane

This part of the instrument is also called a tongue - a thin narrow plate that produces sound. This part of the clarinet is made of reeds, but not from the one that can be seen by the river or lake, but from a special one. Unfortunately, canes quickly wear out. After all, the reed fiber is not an oak. If every day for only 1 hour to play music, after 3 weeks there will be a need for a new cane. The more the airflow is blown, the faster the wear.

Lower knee

The largest part of the clarinet can rightfully be considered the lower knee. On the right side are valves that are made of metal. There is a cork ring that can be found from below. Here on the lower knee is a jumper to connect the lower and upper knee.

Upper knee

It's also a curious thing. Unlike the lower knee, the valves are located on the opposite, left side. The upper knee is smaller than the lower one. But the differences do not end here. If there is one cork connection on the lower knee, there are two cork connections. They were called just like a living being - tendons.

To obtain a beautiful melody, the fingers hastily or slowly fall, closing, and rise, opening the holes that are located on the body of the musical instrument.

By the way, if we talk about holes, then on the front side we can see them six, and on the back one can clearly see one more. Total seven. But there is still. For the remaining holes, valves are used. This is a whole valve mechanism, which is the connection between the screws, axes and the rest of the tool. This system is rather complicated, and it is very difficult to understand it.

Trumpet

The funnel has the shape of a funnel or bell. When playing the clarinet, it looks more like a trumpet than a flute. From a number of wind instruments the clarinet is more mobile, but still inferior to the flute. Although, like the flute, the clarinet is held directly by the bell to the bottom.

Jakob Denner gloriously worked on this invention, because it is the socket that gives more accuracy. Particularly striking, as on the clarinet sounds notes of a small octave. But this is the lowest note! It can only be achieved thanks to the bell. Although the clarinet and virtuoso instrument, but the swiftness and airiness of the flute is a bit short. Nevertheless, when the clarinet plays, the songs are perceived brighter and images appear more clearly.

Clarinet Sound

When the clarinet sounds in the hall, music takes to such a distance that these impressions will never be forgotten. It seems that he can do everything, regardless of whether he sounds alone or in tandem. This wooden instrument masterfully and grandiose creates something secret, gloomy, as if in dense fog there lies danger. And here the heart starts beating with alarm. From the evil piercing cry of this instrument, you can jump on the spot and plunge into the various emotions conveyed by the musician. Having different voices, the clarinet simply magically transmits a human voice and even a strong laugh, it seems that someone is talking to you, complaining or crying, rejoicing or sighing. And this whole charm is divided into several registers. And each register has its own timbre. That is a soft volatile negative, then sparkling expression. What the clarinet can not do! This is a little audible singing, light, like a breeze blowing, and a strong juicy colorful sound. And all this is a clarinet. The photo of this tool is not able to convey all the grace that it is capable of.

The path of the clarinet in the orchestra

You can safely say that now the clarinet in the orchestra is irreplaceable. First, the clarinet was treated with distrust and caution as an orchestral instrument. But the sympathy for him grew with time. And for the clarinet began to write a lot of works that gave a fresh twist and unusual color. In the middle of the 18th century the clarinet sounded very appropriate in the choir, where military songs were sung and played the appropriate music. And the composer from warm Italy Gregorio Shirolee wrote a pretty nice sonata for this interesting instrument in 1770. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Haydn - that's who helped the clarinet firmly occupy not the worst positions as a full-fledged bright instrument.

Mozart decided to take courageous step when he dared to apply the clarinet in one church work. He also wrote one of the best both in the repertoire of this unique instrument, and in his entire history of concerts - a concert for clarinet and orchestra. And in the autumn of Prague the work was a stunning success.

Approached the end of 1791. Soon the clarinet became more visible and attracted more and more attention of composers. Where only its sound did not meet: Wagner, Beethoven, Weber, Mendelssohn, Schubert, Tchaikovsky, Berlioz and many other composers did not pass over the clarinet. Liszt used this musical instrument in his symphonic poems. It seems that the clarinet is a tool that you can not do without, if you want to express the fullness and brightness of your feelings in music.

In Munich, Karl Maria Von Weber dared to use the clarinet as a solo instrument. This event happened in March 1811. Success was predetermined. Inspired by such success, Weber immediately, in the same year, wrote two more concerts for the clarinet. Now the brass band would not be so bright and juicy without clarinets.

Creation of music and types of clarinets

How are the compositions for the clarinet written? As for all other musical instruments, using music and, of course, inspiration. In the key Fa, the notes for the clarinet are not written. And they are written in the key Sol. Only so, and it can not be otherwise. After all, tried differently. It turned out somewhat embarrassing. If you analyze sounds that are higher than the third octave, the more sound tends up, the harder it becomes and is heard more sharply. It should be noted that in piano you can well feel the not quite clear sound of the step of the sol-sharp and the stage la. But, when the music in the orchestra goes to the forte, the listener will not notice it at all. Constant registration in the orchestra received such steps as B-flat and all other octaves to the fourth. Depending on what sound you want, the clarinet is used in A, in B, in C, in Es. Less often use a bass and basset clarinet.

So what is a clarinet? It's an unforgettable experience from listening to music and feeling the flight and happiness after the concert.