Similarities could be seen between the two-key clarinet of today and the two-key chalumeau of the eighteenth century. Early 18th-century composers frequently mixed up the instruments. The lower "chalumeau register" was intended for the chalumeau, and the high register was essentially nonexistent. The lower "chalumeau register" was subpar on the clarinet and was intended for the "clarinet register," the higher exaggerated notes.
A register tube for the upper register and a key on the rear of the clarinet that was higher and smaller than the chalumeau's were also features. The bore was larger than the chalumeau and resembled a contemporary Bb instrument in size. The barrel of the clarinet bell was clearly flared and was larger. The exaggerated register was intended for the clarinet mouthpiece.
Over the years, I received a lot of emotional and occasionally irate emails indicating that the clarinet has been around in the area for a very long time, which prompted me to do some more thorough research. I still believe that the statement is true today, but it all depends on how you define clarinets. I feel that I should clarify the facts and give a clearer explanation of the many viewpoints. Thus, this article lengthens a little.
How old is clarinet music ?
The flute, then, was the oldest wind instrument discovered up until this point in time (2019), and ancient images and descriptions from Sumer and Egypt (5000 years ago), later Greece, and the Etruscans (3000–2000 years ago), show and describe ensembles with wind instruments, kitharas (harp-like instruments), tamburin-like percussion instruments, rattles, and other instruments. The flutes that were discovered and the flutes in photographs were tubes that were occasionally longer than modern flutes, open on both ends, and blown over one end like the pipes of the syrinx panflute, but with six tone holes instead of three. They were often played with one tube, but occasionally more than one at once.
Later came the reed instruments that you blow through, which might be double-reed (like an oboe) or single-reed (like a clarinet) (3000 years ago). Candidates for "the first clarinet" were well recognized at that time because the ancient Egyptians had many names for each type. In graveyards, the bodies of the instruments were discovered. It is uncertain if they were double reeds or single reeds as they were never equipped with reeds or mouthpieces. They are around the size of a modern recorder (or could be used for both). Many of those wind instruments, like the Aulos, were sold in pairs and had just four tone holes apiece; as a single instrument, they may have anywhere from six to nine.
More improvements on clarinet in the 1770's-80's
Most clarinets made between 1770 and 1880 were in C and Bb. Some clarinets featured a replaceable upper joint (referred to as "pièces de rechange") that, when used, produced an A clarinet. It was unusual to find a clarinet that was only an A. The bores were between 13 and 14 mm. When clarinets in B or D were required, joints were added to the C and Eb clarinets. The reeds were stiff, short, and thin. Many of the reeds from the late 1770s were made of pine or fir, while others were constructed of cane.
A key to trill between such a' and b' was only added shortly before 1790 and exclusively in England. English clarinets of this era weren't typically as advanced as continental instruments. The chalumeau register of the continental string instruments has larger tone holes and steadily improved sound. This was significant to Mozart because he began composing solo clarinet pieces in the chalumeau register.
What distinguishes the clarinet from a better Chalumeau?
Denner had to lengthen the chalumeau in order to add four more tone holes, thus that was his first task. However, since we only have 10 fingers, you can't use your fingers to close the 11 tone holes and the speaker hole, therefore you'll need at least two keys. Finally, there is the clarinet, which Denner added.
It was a breakthrough, but Denner and subsequently his sons had to explore for a very long period before they could create an instrument that could play both the lower and upper registers properly without compromising too much intonation (that is correctness of the tone frequency). He made two extra holes near the duodecime key in order to do this. The player used his embouchure to fix the remaining intonation issues.
The original clarinets were still quite basic and resembled a bigger recorder. Two keys were available at first, then three (our description depicted here shows two: left thumb and left forefinger). Compared to trumpets or oboes at the time, the new instrument already had a greater tonal range. Additionally, however it would be impossible to perform technically challenging runs and jumps on a trumpet, one could perform it relatively loudly. Therefore, the new instrument was initially used in place of the high trumpets, or "clarini." That may be where the name "clarinet" originated.
