The document outlines the six main stages in the evolution of the clarinet from ancient instruments like the chalumeau to the modern clarinet. It describes how instrument makers like Denner, Muller, and Baermann added keys over time to create instruments with better tone, more flexibility, and more volume control. The modern clarinet has 17 keys, is made of plastic or wood, and remains a popular orchestral and solo 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

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
Sabine Meyer
Guy Deplus
Yehuda Gilad

12. 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