The clarinet was invented in the 17th century by Johann Christoph Denner, a German instrument maker from Nuremberg. In 1690, after many years of hard work, he unveiled a new instrument. By adding a barrel and two keys to the chalumeau, he allowed musicians to play on different registers.
List of the Clarinet Family
Octave clarinets — Very rare. Pitched around an octave higher than the B♭ clarinet.
A-Flat Piccolo Clarinet (key of A-Flat)
E-Flat Sopranino Clarinet (key of E-Flat)
D Clarinet (key of D)
C Clarinet (key of C)
B-Flat Clarinet (key of B-Flat)
A Clarinet (key of A)
G Clarinet (key of G)
Basset Clarinets (Key of C, B-Flat & G) (Clarinet d’amore)
F Basset Horn (Key of F)
E-Flat Alto Clarinet (key of E-Flat)
B-Flat Bass Clarinet (Key of B-Flat but have been made in C and used in orchestras)
E-Flat Contra Alto Clarinet (key of E-Flat)
B-Flat Contrabass Clarinet (key of B-flat )
E-Double Flat octocantra-alto (Only one made)
B-Double Flat octocontrabass (Only one made)
The Boehm system (is used mostluy by clarinet players in the United States)or the clarinet is a system of clarinet keywork, developed between 1839 and 1843 by Hyacinthe Klosé and Auguste Buffet jeune. The Wurlitzer Reform Boehm system was developed around the middle of the 20th century by Fritz Wurlitzer, and Reform Boehm clarinets are currently made by “Herbert Wurlitzer Manufaktur für Holzblasinstrumente GmbH” in Neustadt an der Aisch and some other clarinet makers in Germany. The Boehm system is a system of keywork for the flute, created by inventor and flautist Theobald Boehm between 1831 and 1847.
The Albert system refers to a system of clarinet keywork and fingering developed by Eugene Albert. In the United Kingdom it is known as the simple system. It has been largely replaced in United States by the Boehm System.. The Oehler System is used mostly by Germans & Austrian clarinetists…
The Albert system is still used, mainly by clarinetists who perform Belarusian, Russian, Ukrainian, Greek, Turkish, Klezmer and Dixieland styles of music. Often these musicians prefer the Albert system due to the ease of slurring notes provided by unkeyed one holes. The system is a derivative of the early 19th century 13-key system developed by Iwan Muller.
The basic fingering differences are…. the 1st finger of the right hand on the Boehm produces a B-Flat or middle F.. On the Alert system the 1st finger of the right hand produces a B-Natural and a middle F-Sharp. Big Band musician Jimmy Dorsey used a clarinet outfitted with the Albert system. The Albert system in the US is used mostly by Dixiland clarinetist.. Comedians Woody Allen & Emo Philips both play Albert system clarinets…