The document summarizes the evolution of the clarinet over six main stages from ancient instruments to the modern clarinet. It began as the chalumeau over 5,000 years ago, was developed into a two-key instrument by Denner in the 18th century, reached five keys by 1800, and gained more keys throughout the 19th century culminating in Muller's 13-key and Baermann's 17-key models. Minor refinements by Albert and Buffet led to the modern clarinet of five pieces and 17 keys made of plastic or wood. Famous clarinetists such as Goodman, Drucker, Daniels, and Shifrin have performed classical and jazz music to popularize the instrument.

1. The HISTORY OF THE
CLARINET
11th Grade Music Appreciation
Elizabeth Owens

2. THE EVOLUTION OF THE CLARINET
HAS OCCURRED IN SIX MAIN
STAGES
1. Ancient Instruments
2. The two-key clarinet
3. The five-key clarinet
4. The 13-key clarinet
5. The 17-key clarinet
6. The modern day clarinet

3. Stage 1: Ancient Instruments
No one knows the exact history of the clarinet, but all
agree that its predecessors date back 5,000 years
The chalumeau
is the most well-known ancestor to the clarinet
-chalumeau is a general term for any small,
reed blown pipe
-this instrument was first played 2,000 years
ago
-in general, the chalumeau had six holes and
was about eight inches long

4. Pictures of Other Ancient Instruments
Although the chalumeau is
the most well-known ancestor
to the clarinet, several other
cultures used instruments
similar to the early clarinet

5. Stage 2: Denner & The 2-Key
Clarinet
Johann Christoph Denner made several changes
to the chalumeau to create the two-key clarinet
-Denner added two keys to the six-hole instrument to create
the first “clarinet”
-one of these keys was the register key,
added to increase the number of notes a player could
produce
-Denner’s sons later added the bell
to make room for another key-covered hole
-Throughout the early 18th century, Denner and other
instrument makers continued to experiment and add keys

6. Stage 3: The 5-Key Clarinet
By 1800, most clarinets had 5 or 6 keys
-these keys were not the work of one person, but of
several musicians who had become interested in developing
the clarinet
-the addition of these keys gave players more flexibility when
choosing music
Another important advancement was the addition of a removable
mouthpiece
-the chalumeau and the two-key clarinet both had the
mouthpiece permanently attached to the instrument
-this advancement was significant because it allowed
mouthpiece to be constructed out of a different material
than the instrument itself
-different materials gave different sounds

7. Stage 4: Muller and The 13-Key
Clarinet
By 1812, Ivan Muller had produced a 13-key clarinet,
giving the player many advantages
-a more beautiful tone quality
-less difficulty in musical passages
-more volume control, from a “whisper” to a “shout”
-the ability to fit into the orchestra

8. Stage 5: The 17-Key Clarinet
Around 1850, Carl Baermann added to the 13-key
clarinet and invented the 17-key clarinet
-the addition of these keys fixed many problems of
earlier models
-this clarinet had holes placed acoustically,
rather than for the player’s comfort
-this clarinet was the most in tune compared to
the earlier clarinets
Later, Oskar Oehler (pronounced “oiler”) used
Baermann’s design to create his own clarinet
system, used by German clarinetists today

9. Stage 6: Transition into the Modern
Clarinet
Since Oehler, nothing major has changed
-Minor changes have been made by Eugene Albert and
Louis Buffet, among others
-Albert was dedicated to improving upon
Muller’s model
-Buffet took the ideas of the modern flute and
applied them to the keywork of the clarinet
Clarinets today:
-have 5 main pieces
-have 17 keys
-are made out of plastic or Grenadilla
wood
-are popular orchestral, band, solo,
and chamber instruments

10. REVIEW
THE EVOLUTION OF THE CLARINET OCCURRED IN SIX MAIN STAGES:
1. Ancient Instruments
-the chalumeau is the most well-known ancestor to the clarinet
2. The two-key clarinet
-Denner added two keys to the chalumeau to create the first clarinet
3. The five-key clarinet
-by 1800, the clarinet had 5 or 6 keys and a removable mouthpiece
4. The 13-key clarinet
-Muller developed a 13-key model that gave the player a better tone,
more flexibility, and more contrast in volume
5. The 17-key clarinet
-Baermann added keys to help fix problems of earlier clarinets
6. The modern day clarinet
-the clarinet did not go through any more major physical changes,
but several famous musicians continued to perfect the instrument
and create the modern day clarinet

11. Famous Clarinetists
Benny Goodman
Stanley Drucker
Eddie Daniels
Richard Stoltzman
David Shifrin
Larry Combs

12. BENNY GOODMAN
STANLEY DRUCKER
- began to play as a
professional musician at
14, then began his
recording career at age
17
- famous
jazz
clarinetist;
known as
the “king
of swing”
- became
principal
clarinetist of
the New York
Philharmonic
at age 19
- is one of the few living orchestral
musicians whose biography
appears in the New Grove
Dictionary of Music and Musicians

13. EDDIE DANIELS
RICHARD STOLTZMAN
- popular
jazz and
classical
clarinetist
- has been a
soloist with
groups like the
Cincinnati
Symphony, the
Rochester
Philharmonic,
the
Indianapolis
Symphony,
and the Boston
Pops
- has been
a soloist
with over
100
orchestras
- presented the first
clarinet recitals in
the histories of
both the
Hollywood Bowl
and Carnegie Hall

14. DAVID SHIFRIN
- principal clarinetist of the
Chicago Symphony
Orchestra
- founding
member
of the
Chicago
Chamber
Musicians
LARRY COMBS
- professor of music at
Yale University
- awarded the Avery
Fisher prize in 2000

15. Clarinet Recordings
Sonata in E-flat Major, Allegretto
Saint-Saens
Sonata in F Major, Allegretto Gracioso
Brahms
Concerto for Clarinet in A Major, Adagio
Mozart