Home > Bass clarinet

The instrument is heavy and has a floor stand attached to its body. Some models have folded bodies, making them look similar to bassoons, while others are straight-bodied with a small upturned bell. While sometimes mistaken for a large saxophone, the bass clarinet has a bore which is basically the same diameter along the body of the instrument. This cylindrical bore gives it the clarinet's dark tone and low pitch.

1 Uses

Bass clarinets are used to boost the overall sound in small ensembles. They are also used in symphony orchestras and as a solo instrument in jazz.

2 Invention

The origin of the bass clarinet is uncertain. It may have been invented by G. Lott in Paris in 1772, or by Heinrich Grenser in 1793. Adolphe Sax, a Belgian manufacturer of musical instruments, first designed the straight-bodied form of the bass clarinet in the early 19th century.

3 Musical compositions using bass clarinet

The most familiar piece in classical music using the bass clarinet is probably "The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" from Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker, in which its low tones contrast with the tinkling higher pitches of the celestaThe celesta (pronounced se lest a or cheh lest a is a keyboard musical instrument found in symphony orchestras. The keys on the celesta are connected to rods which strike metal bars similar to those found on the glockenspiel. It also usually has wooden re. Other pieces featuring this instrument include:

• Rapsodie Espagnole , by Maurice RavelMaurice Ravel ( March 7, 1875 December 28, 1937) was a French composer, best known for his orchestral work, Bolero and his famous 1922 orchestral arrangement of Modest Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. He was born in Ciboure, France (near Biarritz,
• Die WalküreDie Walkure ("The Valkyrie") is the second of the four operas that comprise Der Ring des Nibelungen The Ring of the Nibelung , by Richard Wagner. It premiered at the Munich Court Theatre on June 26, 1870, with August Kindermann as Wotan, Heinrich Vogl as and Tristan und Isolde, by WagnerWilhelm Richard Wagner ( May 22, 1813 February 13, 1883) was an influential German composer, music theorist, and essayist, primarily known for his operas. His music is still widely performed, the best known pieces being the "Ride of the Valkyries" from Di, have solos for the A bass clarinet.
• Pelleas and Melisande , by Arnold SchoenbergArnold Schoenberg (the anglicized form of Schonberg Schoenberg changed the spelling officially when he became a U. citizen) ( September 13, 1874 July 13, 1951) was a composer, born in Vienna, Austria. He is particularly remembered as one of the first comp
• Chemins IIc by Luciano BerioLuciano Berio ( October 24, 1925 May 27, 2003) was an Italian composer. He is noted for his experimental work, particularly in his orchestral work, Sinfonia and also as a pioneer in electronic music. Biography Berio was born in Oneglia. He was taught the has a solo part for the instrument