History
In The Family
Famous Clarinetists
Standard Rep
Miscellaneous
100
The name of the Baroque instrument that is considered the predecessor of the modern-day clarinet.
What is the chalumeau?
100
The most common clarinet, used in both band and orchestra.
What is the Bb soprano clarinet?
100
This famous jazz clarinetist was known for his ability to play in both the jazz and classical realm, and even had a number of concerti written for him.
Who is Benny Goodman?
100
Perhaps the most famous work for clarinet, this work comes from the Classical period and was written for Anton Stadler.
What is the Mozart Clarinet Concerto?
100
The range of the clarinet that starts with C6 and extends to C7 and above.
What is the altissimo?
200
The famous instrument maker who is attributed with inventing the modern clarinet?
Who is J. C. Denner?
200
Pitched in Bb, this instrument reads primarily in treble clef but sounds an octave lower than the soprano clarinet.
What is the bass clarinet?
200
This famous clarinetist was at one time the principal of the Berlin Philharmonic, until she was allegedly asked to leave because of her gender, but is most famous as a solo player and teacher.
Who is Sabine Meyer?
200
The opening to this famous piano and orchestra piece features the well-known upward glissando.
What is Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue?
200
The middle part of the reed, where most of the vibration happens.
What is the heart?
300
Adapted for clarinet, this is the name of the flute key system that enables the player to cover the lower tone holes by pressing various pinky keys.
What is the boehm system?
300
Pitched in Eb, this clarinet's range lies predominantly between the bass and the Bb contra.
What is the Eb contra alto?
300
The former principal clarinetist of the New York Philharmonic (1960-2009).
Who is Stanley Drucker?
300
This animal is represented by the clarinet in Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf.
What is the cat?
300
This is a 20th/21st century technique that involves playing more than one note at a time.
What are multiphonics?
400
The two different schools of modern clarinet playing.
What are the French and German systems?
400
This instrument is pitched in A and has the ability to play all the way to a low C. It is the instrument for which Mozart composed his famous Concerto.
What is the basset clarinet?
400
The former clarinetist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He was appointed by Sir George Solti himself in 1978 and remained principal until 2008.
Who is Larry Combs?
400
Written for clarinet and orchestra or clarinet and piano, this standard work comes from the Paris Conservatory as a final examination piece and is very impressionistic in nature.
What is Debussy's Premiere Rhapsody.
400
The style of clarinet playing that is typically used in Yiddish music and frequently performed by Martin Frost.
What is klezmer?
500
The French company that is known for creating the revolutionary poly-cylindrical bore design.
What is Buffet-Crampon?
500
This instrument is only slightly larger than the Eb clarinet. It is not commonly found in Western classical music except for a series of concertos by Johann Molter.
What is the D clarinet?
500
This famous clarinetist was a highly sought-after virtuoso of the Romantic era who also wrote a method book. He had works commissioned for him by Weber, Mendelssohn, and Meyerbeer.
Who is Heinrich Baermann?
500
This piece was written in 1941 and is scored for clarinet, cello, violin, and piano. It is considered one of the most important 20th century chamber works and features additive rhythms, modes of limited transposition, and birdsong.
What is Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time?
500
The extended technique involving playing the same note back to back but with different fingerings each time.
What is a timbral trill?