Index

Clasification

Characteristics

Folklorics

Origin

Parts

Extension

Timbre

Registers

Construction

Recourses

Use

Family

Compositions

Clarinet Players

C. M. Weber

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PARTS

The instrument basically has five parts (those that will mention with the measures of clarinete soprano in B flat of system BÖHM) 24 to 25 holes and 21 to 23 keys (fig 42).

Mouthpiece. Also called simply tip, it is the most important part as far as the sound talks about (fig 43). It has a measurement average of 7.5 cm in length and 1.7 cm more of connect with the barrel.

Fig. 43 Mouthpiece

The open face is called table and varied of 19,5 mm to 22,5 mm Is flat towards the wide thing and along forms a curve until the end of the mouthpiece. Thanks to the curve, when the reed is placed, an opening forms by which the breath of the executant is introduced, who allows to make vibrate the cane and the column of air.

The diameter of the opening varies according to the type of mouthpiece, the form of the mouth and the force of the lips in each person. It can measure between 1,065 mm and 1.47 mm and of him depends a good quality on sound.

The combinations between the lengths of the table and the opening offer variations in the timbre, the power and the difficulty of execution, classifying certain mouthpieces like more appropriate for certain musical sorts (jazz, chamber music, solist, etc.)

They are constructed, in his majority, ebonite mouthpieces and are not so common in crystal and metal. Nevertheless, before ivory or wood was used of but they had difficulties like his fragility and sensitivity to the changes of temperature and the humidity.

The mouthpiece is accompanied by a ligature, that surrounds it and allows through one or two screws to fix with force the reed. The ligatures become of metal (fig 45, 46), plastic (fig 45) or leather (fig 44), being this last one nowadays, one of favourite thanks to their excellent voltage. 

Fig. 44 Cap and leather ligature

Fig. 45 Cap and ligature of metal and plastic

Fig. 46 Cap and ligature with preasure laminae

The reeds (fig 47) become of bamboo or plastic and have an average length of 6,5 cm. Are classified with a numeration that goes from the 1 and ascends in average to the 5. For example: 1, 1½, 2, 2½. Not very common they are some numerations in quarters like 2¾ or 3¾. The superior numbers represent long, heavy and hard reeds, in opposition to the inferior numbers that talk about short, thin, with shining and little sweet sound.

Fig. 47 Reed and its parts

The use of a number determined in the cane is relative to the type of mouthpiece that is used. This way for more open mouthpiece, smoother reed; with the longest table, reed more hard and vice versa.

Caps, of metal or plastic (fig 44, 45, 46), protects of blows or rubbing and in special avoids to divide to the reed or the mouthpiece.

Barrel. Also called cylinder (fig 48), it is the union between the mouthpiece and the body. It has an average length of 6.5 cm and allows the refining of the instrument, when introducing itself more or less in the body or the mouthpiece. This is, between more separated of them, is increased the length of the instrument obtaining a lower tunning and vice versa

Fig. 48 Barrel

Superior body. In this section of clarinete the left hand is placed and has an approximated measurement of 19 cm. Additionally 1.5 cm in each end, allow to connect it to the barrel and the inferior body. It consists of 15 to 16 holes, 9 of which, without placing no finger, they remain closed; 3 ring keys for the thumb, index and medium fingers and sometimes one more for ring finger; Finally 9 to 10 keys more, to altogether add 12 to 14 keys according to the instrument.

Inferior body . It measures 23.5 cm in more common clarinets, whose extension arrives until E

and about 2.5 cm more, in also called popularly of " complete registry " that obtain the E flat.

In addition 2 cm in their inferior end, allow connects with the bell.

In this part the right hand is placed, that maintains to the instrument by means of a metallic piece in its later side and leans on the thumb. It has 9 to 10 holes, of which 3, without placing the fingers, remain closed; a key of three ring for the index, medium and ring fingers, and 8 to 10 keys more for a total from 9 to 11 according to the instrument.

Bell . It has conical form and it is opened more than the one of the Oboe. By its appearance is called bell (fig 49). Its length is of 11 cm approximately and its final perforation has a diameter near the 6 cm. The sonorous characteristics of the bell can change considerably according to the material of construction, the thickness, the diameter of the perforation and the use or not of metallic ring in their ends.

Others. The keys finish in pads, that allow to sharpen and to close the holes suitably, calls slippers. They become in felt covered with plastic, although some can have in their place a piece of cork or rubber.

The voltage and good operation of the keys are controlled by means of small metallic pieces called needles, means and wharves. The needles are rods that subject next to the keys. The wharves are laminae assured by means of screws underneath the supported keys and on a " carved way " in the body of the instrument. The means are placed underneath the keys, their use is little frequent and like the needles and the wharves allow that the being pressed the keys, they return to his original position.

The system of keys makes sure by means of metallic and/or plastic screws lengths between 0.7 cm and 4.3 cm.

Another very present element is the cork. In the ends of the mouthpiece and the body (fig 50) it allows the easy one and hermetic it connects between sections (ear corks) and in the keys is used in small pieces to calibrate his rank of movement and therefore the tunning of the instrument.

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