Changes

The shafts of the most sought-after clarinets are sculpted from hard, dark, African wood, traditionally grenadilla or M'Pinga. Other models are constructed from South American woods, rosewood or cocbolo. These woods are very hard and hold a high polish well. However, some cheap clarinets are made out of plastic, particularly those used by students learning to play in school. These students are generally encouraged to "move on up" to hardwood once it becomes clear that they are serious about playing.

The shafts of the most sought-after clarinets are sculpted from hard, dark, African wood, traditionally grenadilla or M'Pinga. Other models are constructed from South American woods, rosewood or cocbolo. These woods are very hard and hold a high polish well. However, some cheap clarinets are made out of plastic, particularly those used by students learning to play in school. These students are generally encouraged to "move on up" to hardwood once it becomes clear that they are serious about playing.

Some mid-18th-century clarinets were made of metal, in the mid 20th century it was popular for [[marching bands]] to practice with but are due to poor quality of sound rarely used anymore with advent of plastic clarinets, and still today some Contrabass clarinets are as well.

Some mid-18th-century clarinets were made of metal. In the mid-20th century, it was popular for [[marching bands]] to practice with them but due to poor quality of sound they are rarely used anymore, following the advent of plastic clarinets. The same is true of Contrabass clarinets.

The B{{music|b}} clarinet is made of 7 main parts:

The B{{music|b}} clarinet is made of 7 main parts:

In 1891 [[Johannes Brahms]] was enraptured by the playing of the clarinetist, Richard Mühlfeld at a concert and came out of retirement to write his Clarinet Trio (Op. 114), Quintet (Op. 115) and the two Clarinet Sonatas (Op. 120). These are ranked with Mozart’s as high points for the instrument.  

In 1891 [[Johannes Brahms]] was enraptured by the playing of the clarinetist, Richard Mühlfeld at a concert and came out of retirement to write his Clarinet Trio (Op. 114), Quintet (Op. 115) and the two Clarinet Sonatas (Op. 120). These are ranked with Mozart’s as high points for the instrument.  

The 20th century gave us major concertos by the Dane, [[Carl Nielsen]]; the Englishman, Gerald Finzi; and the American [[Aaron Copland]] (a commission from Benny Goodman). Sir Malcolm Arnold, the English composer who died in 2006, wrote numerous works for the clarinet as a solo instrument, as a feature in ensembles and with orchestra. Though classical they have many [[jazz]] elements in them.

The 20th century gave us major concertos by the Dane, [[Carl Nielsen]]; the Englishman, Gerald Finzi; and the American [[Aaron Copland]] (a commission from Benny Goodman). Sir Malcolm Arnold, the English composer who died in 2006, wrote numerous works for the clarinet as a solo instrument, as a feature in ensembles and with orchestra. Though classical, they have many [[jazz]] elements in them.

The clarinet’s “party-piece” is the opening “slide” (technically called a [[glissando]]) in [[George Gershwin|Gershwin’s]]  

The clarinet’s “party-piece” is the opening “slide” (technically called a [[glissando]]) in [[George Gershwin|Gershwin’s]]