The Clarinet | 10 Question Music Multiple Choice Quiz

Answer: G##

Most clarinettists have a 'pair' of clarinets, in A and Bb (rather a waste of money to need two clarinets with only a note's difference, if you ask me. I've always hated playing on A clarinets, which is frustrating as they always get the Big Solos in orchestras). An Eb clarinet is the clarinet version of the piccolo - very high to listen to, and jolly tricky to play.

There is no such thing as a clarinet in G#...

Answer: Frog

The bell and barrel are two of the five segments that make up a clarinet. Unsurprisingly, you rest your thumb under the thumb rest! Most clarinettists have a squashy rubber cushion to cover it. You would find a frog on a violin, not a clarinet.

Answer: Harrington

Vandoren are probably the most common reeds here in the UK, although Rico reeds also seem quite popular. I had a temporary flirtation with Sinus reeds a few years ago, but nowadays I just stick to Vandorens as they're so easy to get hold of.

Answer: Put cigarette papers over their teeth

Any of my friends can tell you that I suffer from lip pain when I play for too long, as I do nothing but complain about it! The best thing to do is put some cigarette papers over your teeth, as this stops them cutting and feeling so sharp. I can't recommend the faking option unless you're playing something very loud, like a Bruckner symphony.

There's nonetheless always the danger of the orchestra cutting out to leave you playing a 'solo', revealing that you're making no sound whatsoever!

Answer: Unicorn

I had to ask that, because I play on Peter Eaton 'Internationals' and think they're marvellous clarinets. I changed to them from French Buffets when I was 15, and I think the English clarinets have a much warmer, 'woodier' sound that's most appealing. Then again, lots of people will probably disagree with me, as French clarinets are very popular!

Answer: False

Most people do play on mouthpieces that are black, but you can also play on various other kinds of material. Glass mouthpieces can be quite popular, but a problem with them is that they crack rather easily!

Answer: Chalumeau

The chalumeau (shall-yu-mo) gives its name to the rich bottom register of the clarinet, so that today we speak of the 'chalumeau register'. The shawm was an early oboe, the crumhorn was a kind of brass instrument, and as far as I know the clarinet is not related to the bagpipes at all!

Answer: Three and a half

The lowest note on a normal clarinet is an E, and most clarinettists can't go much higher than the C just over three and a half octaves above that. It's not the sweetest-sounding of notes, though, so I personally wouldn't want to go any higher!

Answer: Woodwind

The clarinets sit behind the flutes; on their left are the bassoons, and in front of the bassoons sit the oboes. This is a typical orchestral woodwind section, but the clarinet is the only orchestral instrument to have a single reed. Its single reed cousin, the saxophone, isn't usually found in orchestras.

Answer: Little trumpet

It's related to the word 'clarion', which is a kind of little trumpet that is loud and clear!