E♭ clarinet with Oehler system keywork.

The E -flat clarinet is a member of the clarinet family. It is usually classed as a soprano clarinet, although some authors prefer to describe it as a "sopranino". Smaller in size and higher in pitch than the more common B♭ clarinet, it is a transposing instrument in E♭, playing a minor third higher than the written notes. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (414x1500, 51 KB) Summary Picture of a Eb-clarinet, german system Photographed in august 2005 by Mezzofortist Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): E-flat clarinet... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (414x1500, 51 KB) Summary Picture of a Eb-clarinet, german system Photographed in august 2005 by Mezzofortist Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): E-flat clarinet... The Oehler system is a system for clarinet keys developed by Oskar Oehler. ... Two soprano clarinets: a Bâ™­ clarinet (left) and an A clarinet (right, with no mouthpiece). ... The soprano clarinets are a sub-family of the clarinet family. ... A transposing instrument is a musical instrument whose music is written at a pitch different from concert pitch. ...

The E♭ clarinet is used in orchestras, concert bands, marching bands, and clarinet choirs. It plays a particularly central role in clarinet choirs, in which it carries the high melodies that would be treacherous for the B♭ clarinet. Solo repertoire is generally very limited. In many cases E♭ clarinet is doubled by a B♭ clarinetist. This article does not cite its references or sources. ... A concert band, also called wind band, symphonic band, symphonic winds, wind orchestra, wind symphony, or wind ensemble, is a performing ensemble consisting of several members of the woodwind instrument family, brass instrument family and percussion instrument family. ... An American college marching band on the field (University of Texas) A marching band is a group of instrumental musicians who generally perform outdoors, and who incorporate movement â€“ usually some type of marching â€“ with their musical performance. ... This page meets Wikipedias criteria for speedy deletion. ...

The slightly larger D clarinet is specified in many scores. D clarinets were once commonly employed by some composers to be used by one player equipped with instruments in D and E♭, similar to the way in which one player would be equipped with instruments in B♭ and A.^{[citation needed]} In modern performance (especially in America and western Europe), it is generally preferred to transpose the parts to be played on E♭ clarinet alone, the E♭ being more common and of higher quality.^{[citation needed]} The problem with this practice is that when parts originally written for the D clarinet are transposed for the E♭ instrument, it often will result in difficult key signatures and fingerings, making it more difficult to play.

The E♭ clarinet is required to play at the top of its range for much of the time to take advantage of its piercing quality. In this range special, non-standard fingerings are required on most instruments to maintain good pitch. Therefore high, fast passages are often very difficult to play. The embouchure must be much tighter to achieve the brilliance of the upper register which can make the player vulnerable to squeaking. Because of the E♭'s piercing sound, any mistakes are readily obvious to the audience.

Use in concert bands

Although the E♭ is somewhat of a rarity in school bands, it is a staple instrument in college and other upper level ensembles. Unlike the B♭ soprano clarinet which has numerous musicians performing on each part, the E♭ clarinet part is usually played by only one musician in a typical concert band. This is partially because the E♭ clarinet has a bright, shrill sound very similar to the sound of the piccolo. It commonly plays the role of a garnish instrument along with the piccolo, and duo segments between the two instruments are quite common. The piccolo is a small flute. ...

Despite being a member of the clarinet family, the E♭ clarinet is often heard playing along with the flutes, quite possibly due to its high pitch and relatively weaker low register that would be inadequate for the majority of the clarinet features in band literature.

Use as children's clarinet

While most E♭ clarinets are built and marketed for professionals or advanced students, an inexpensive plastic E♭ clarinet dubbed the "Kinder-Klari" has been produced for beginning children's use; the small size (hence narrower finger spacing) and lower weight makes it easier than a B♭ instrument for a young child to play.

Solo and chamber literature for the E♭ (or D) clarinet

Solo literature for these instruments is sparse. The following are notable:

• Johann Melchior Molter: Six Clarinet Concerti (D; among the earliest extant clarinet concerti).^[1]
• Concerti by Jerome Neff and William Neil.^[2]
• Ernesto Cavallini: Carnival of Venice variations, Fantasia on a Theme from Ultimo Giorno Di Pomeii, and (with Giacomo Panizza) I figli di Eduardo 4th (all for E♭ clarinet and piano).^[2]
• Henri Rabaud: "Solo de Concours" for E♭ clarinet.^[2]
• Amilcare Ponchielli: Quartetto for B♭ and E♭ clarinets, flute, and oboe, with piano accompaniment.^[2]
• Giacinto Scelsi: "Tre Pezzi for E♭ Clarinet"
• William Bolcom: "Suite of Four Dances for E♭ Clarinet"
• Arnold Schoenberg: Suite, op. 29 (E♭, B♭, and bass clarinet, violin, viola, violoncello, piano).
• Anton Webern: Drei Lieder fur Singstimme, Es-Klarinette und Gitarre Op.18.

Johann Melchior Molter (born at Tiefenort, near Eisenach, 10 February 1696; died at Karlsruhe, 12 January 1765) was a German baroque composer and violinist. ... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... Henri Rabaud Life Henri Rabaud (1873 - 1949), the son of a violincello professor and a singer, was a pupil of Gédalge and Massenet at the Paris Conservatoire, where he succeeded Fauré as director in 1920. ... Amilcare Ponchielli (August 31, 1834 – January 17, 1886) was an Italian composer, largely of operas. ... The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. ... The oboe is a double reed musical instrument of the woodwind family. ... A short grand piano, with the top up. ... It has been suggested that List of works by Giacinto Scelsi be merged into this article or section. ... William Elden Bolcom (born May 26, 1938) is an American composer of chamber, operatic, and symphonic music. ... Schoenberg redirects here. ... The bass clarinet is a musical instrument of the clarinet family. ... The violin is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. ... The viola (in French, alto; in German Bratsche) is a string instrument played with a bow. ... Alternate meaning: Cello web browser A cropped image to show the relative size of a cello to a human (Uncropped Version) The cello (also violoncello or cello) is a stringed instrument and part of the violin family. ... Anton Webern (December 3, 1883 – September 15, 1945) was an Austrian composer and conductor. ...

Orchestral music using the E♭ (or D) clarinet

Some orchestral compositions with notable E♭ or D clarinet solos include:

• Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique (E♭)^[2]
• Maurice Ravel: Boléro (E♭)^[2]
• Richard Strauss: Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche (D)^[2]
• Igor Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring (D and E♭)^[2]
• Dmitri Shostakovich - Symphony No. 6 (E♭), The Age of Gold (E♭)^[2] Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk (E♭)

Other orchestral compositions making use of E♭ or D clarinet include: Hector Louis Berlioz (December 11, 1803 – March 8, 1869) was a French Romantic composer best known for the Symphonie fantastique, first performed in 1830, and for his Grande Messe des Morts (Requiem) of 1837, with its tremendous resources that include four antiphonal brass choirs. ... Symphonie Fantastique (Fantastic Symphony) Opus 14, is a symphony written by French composer Hector Berlioz in 1830. ... Maurice Ravel in 1912. ... The Boléro is Maurice Ravels (1875-1937) most famous musical composition. ... This article is about the German composer of tone-poems and operas. ... Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche (Till Eulenspiegels Merry Pranks), Op. ... Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky (Russian: Игорь Фёдорович Стравинский, Igor Fëdorovič Stravinskij) (June 17, 1882 – April 6, 1971) was a Russian composer, considered by many in both the West and his native land to be the most influential composer of 20th-century music. ... The Rite of Spring, commonly referred to by its original French title, Le Sacre du printemps (Russian: Весна священная, Vesna svjaščennaja) is a ballet with music by the Russian composer Igor Stravinsky. ... Dmitri Dmitrievich Shostakovich   (Russian: , Dmitrij Dmitrievič Å ostakovič) (September 25 [O.S. September 12] 1906–August 9, 1975) was a Russian composer of the Soviet period. ... The Symphony No. ...

• Béla Bartók - Bluebeard's Castle (1&2 double E♭)
• Hector Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique
• Leonard Bernstein - Candide, West Side Story, On the Town
• Aaron Copland - El Salon Mexico
• Edward Elgar - Symphony No. 2
• Gustav Holst - First Suite in E-flat for Military Band (including two independent E♭ parts with solo roles)
• Leoš Janáček - Sinfonietta
• Gustav Mahler - Symphonies Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 (D), 5 (D), 6, 7, 8, 9
• Carl Orff - Carmina Burana (Orff)
• Sergei Prokofiev - Symphonies Nos. 4, 5, 6
• Maurice Ravel - Daphnis et Chloé, Piano Concerto in G
• Dmitri Shostakovich - Symphonies Nos. 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, Violin Concerto No. 1
• Richard Strauss - Ein Heldenleben, Eine Alpensinfonie
• Igor Stravinsky - The Firebird (D)

Béla Viktor János Bartók (March 25, 1881 – September 26, 1945) was a Hungarian composer, pianist and collector of Eastern European and Middle Eastern folk music. ... A kékszakállú herceg vára, (commonly referred to by its English name, Duke Bluebeards Castle) is a one-act opera by Hungarian composer Béla Bartók. ... Hector Louis Berlioz (December 11, 1803 – March 8, 1869) was a French Romantic composer best known for the Symphonie fantastique, first performed in 1830, and for his Grande Messe des Morts (Requiem) of 1837, with its tremendous resources that include four antiphonal brass choirs. ... Symphonie Fantastique (Fantastic Symphony) Opus 14, is a symphony written by French composer Hector Berlioz in 1830. ... Leonard Bernstein (IPA pronunciation: )[1] (August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990) was an American conductor, composer, and pianist. ... Candide is a comic operetta by Leonard Bernstein, based on the novella of the same name by Voltaire. ... For The Games song, see Westside Story (song). ... On the Town is a musical that opened on Broadway at the Adelphi Theatre on December 28, 1944, with music by Leonard Bernstein, book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, direction by George Abbott, and choreography by Jerome Robbins. ... Aaron Copland (November 14, 1900 – December 2, 1990) was an American composer of concert and film music. ... Sir Edward Elgar Sir Edward Elgar, 1st Baronet, OM, GCVO (2 June 1857 â€“ 23 February 1934) was an English Romantic composer. ... The Symphony No. ... Gustav Holst Gustav Holst (September 21, 1874 Cheltenham, Gloucestershire - May 25, 1934) [1] [2] was an English composer and was a music teacher for over 20 years. ... LeoÅ¡ Janáček in 1928 LeoÅ¡ Janáček â–¶ (help· info) (July 3, 1854 in Hukvaldy, Moravia – August 12, 1928 in Ostrava) was a Czech composer. ... Sinfonietta is an orchestral piece written by Czech composer, LeoÅ¡ Janáček. ... This article cites its sources but does not provide page references. ... The Symphony No. ... The Symphony No. ... The Symphony No. ... The Symphony No. ... The Symphony No. ... The Symphony No. ... The Symphony No. ... The American premiere of Mahlers 8th Symphony, with Leopold Stokowski conducting one thousand and sixty-eight performers The Symphony No. ... The Symphony No. ... Carl Orff (July 10, 1895 – March 29, 1982) was a German composer, most famous for Carmina Burana (1937). ... The cover of the score to Carmina Burana showing the Wheel of Fortuna Carmina Burana is a scenic cantata composed by Carl Orff between 1935 and 1936. ... Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev (Russian: , Sergej Sergeevič Prokof(i)ev; April 121, 1891–June 28, 1953) was a Russian and Soviet composer who mastered numerous musical genres and came to be admired as one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. ... // Sergei Prokofievs Symphony No. ... Sergei Prokofiev wrote his Symphony No. ... Sergei Prokofiev wrote his Symphony No. ... Maurice Ravel in 1912. ... Image:Bakst-decorations. ... Concerto in G major is a piano concerto by Maurice Ravel composed in the period of 1929–1931. ... Dmitri Dmitrievich Shostakovich   (Russian: , Dmitrij Dmitrievič Å ostakovič) (September 25 [O.S. September 12] 1906–August 9, 1975) was a Russian composer of the Soviet period. ... The Symphony No. ... The Symphony No. ... Symphony No. ... The Symphony No. ... This article might not be written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia entry. ... The Symphony No. ... The Violin Concerto No. ... This article is about the German composer of tone-poems and operas. ... Ein Heldenleben (literally A Heroic Life, but usually more loosely translated as A Heros Life), op. ... Eine Alpensinfonie (An Alpine Symphony), Op. ... Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky (Russian: Игорь Фёдорович Стравинский, Igor Fëdorovič Stravinskij) (June 17, 1882 – April 6, 1971) was a Russian composer, considered by many in both the West and his native land to be the most influential composer of 20th-century music. ... The Firebird (French: LOiseau de feu; Russian: Жар-птица, Žar-ptica) is a 1910 ballet by Igor Stravinsky. ...

References

1. ^ Aldrich, Simon (February 1997). "Johann Melchior Molter". Continuo Magazine. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i} Tschaikov, Basil. "The high clarinets".  In Lawson (ed.), Colin (1995). The Cambridge Companion to the Clarinet. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 43-56. 

Bibliography

• Hadcock, Peter, "Orchestral Studies for the E♭ Clarinet", Roncorp Publications. A very useful resource for the E♭ player, containing many of the standard excerpts, and an extensive fingering chart.