Instruments · 2 min read
The Clarinet Family Explained: E♭, B♭, A, Bass and Beyond
Every member of the clarinet family — piccolo, soprano, basset horn, alto, bass and contrabass — with pitch, transposition, range and where you'll hear them.
Updated · Tonehole editors
The clarinet is not one instrument but a family of more than a dozen sizes, all sharing the same written fingerings. A player who reads a written C plays the same fingering on every one — only the sounding pitch changes.
At a glance#
| Instrument | Pitched in | Written C sounds | Where you'll hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| E♭ clarinet | E♭ | a minor 3rd higher | Orchestral solos (Berlioz, Mahler), bands |
| D clarinet | D | a major 2nd higher | Rare: Strauss's Till Eulenspiegel |
| C clarinet | C | as written | Classical and early romantic music, beginners in some countries |
| B♭ clarinet | B♭ | a major 2nd lower | Everywhere — the standard clarinet |
| A clarinet | A | a minor 3rd lower | Orchestra and chamber music in sharp keys; Mozart, Brahms |
| Basset horn | F | a perfect 5th lower | Mozart's Requiem, Strauss's wind serenades |
| Alto clarinet | E♭ | a major 6th lower | Concert bands, clarinet choirs |
| Bass clarinet | B♭ | a major 9th lower | Orchestra, bands, jazz, film music |
| Contra-alto clarinet | E♭ | an octave + major 6th lower | Large wind ensembles |
| Contrabass clarinet | B♭ | two octaves + major 2nd lower | Wind ensembles, film scores |
Why orchestral players own two clarinets#
Before modern keywork, playing in remote keys was awkward, so composers chose the clarinet whose key minimised accidentals: B♭ for flat keys, A for sharp keys. Composers kept writing for both, so professional clarinettists still carry a matched pair and switch between pieces (sometimes between movements).
Systems: Boehm, Oehler and Albert#
Most of the world plays the Boehm system clarinet — the system used throughout this site. Germany and Austria mainly use the Oehler system, with different keywork and a darker sound. Traditional jazz and klezmer players sometimes prefer the older Albert system.
Which fingering chart do I use?#
All Boehm clarinets — E♭, B♭, A and the low clarinets — use our clarinet fingering chart. Low clarinets add keys below written E3 and replace the open left-index vent in the altissimo with a half-hole plate.
What is the difference between a B♭ and an A clarinet?#
The A clarinet is about 3 cm longer and sounds a semitone lower than the B♭. Fingerings are identical; the choice depends on the key of the music.
Is the bass clarinet hard to learn for a clarinet player?#
The fingerings are the same, so the transition is quick. The main adjustments are a looser embouchure, more air, a different mouthpiece angle and the low extension keys.