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Clarinets

"The clarinet, the clarinet, of all the woodwind,we most notes can get"....so goes the the song and it isn't strictly true ( the bassoon can get more). However, it can get a lot!

Mozart took to the sound of this instrument using its expressive tones and agillity, firmly establishing its place in the orchestras of the day. He wrote marvellous small group works such as the Clarinet Quintet to further its popularity.

Since then the key mechanisms have vastly improved, finally settling on the Boehm system in 1840.

( There is an alternative, the German system, not common in the UK)

Student instruments begin are made of a plastic compound instead of ebony and good ones such as Buffet, Yamaha and Jupiter are perfect for the beginner and up to grade 4 or 5 level. The cheaper Chinese ones are getting better, but still need to improve!

Better student instruments are made of ebony with solid silver-plated brass keys.