Overview

The Clarinet is a versatile woodwind instrument known for its warm, dark, and wide tonal range.

It consists of a long, straight tube, typically made of black wood or plastic ABS resin. Sound is produced when the musician blows air into the mouthpiece, causing a reed (a thin piece of cane) to vibrate. Clarinets are essential in bands and orchestras, playing both soaring melodies and deep supporting notes.

While the Bb (B-Flat) Clarinet is the most widely played, the clarinet family includes other valuable members. The Bass Clarinet is a larger instrument that is highly useful in a concert band, contributing a low and deep tone that adds great richness. Students with suitably sized hands are typically recommended for this instrument.

How to Assemble

Mouthpiece, barrel, upper joint, lower joint, bell.

1. Attach the bell to the lower joint.
2. Attach the upper joint to the lower joint, gently rocking the two together — take care with the bridge key that connects them, as it bends easily if forced.
3. Attach the barrel to the upper joint.
4. Fit the reed to the mouthpiece and loosely attach the ligature, then twist the mouthpiece onto the barrel, lining it up with the register key.
5. If a joint feels stiff, add a little cork grease rather than forcing it.

How to Put On A Reed

1. Loosen the ligature screws so the ligature can slide freely up and down the mouthpiece.
2. Moisten the reed first — hold the tip in your mouth for 30–60 seconds, or dip it in a small cup of water, until it feels flexible rather than stiff.
3. Slide the reed onto the mouthpiece under the ligature, with the flat side of the reed against the flat table of the mouthpiece.
4. Position the tip of the reed just below the tip of the mouthpiece — you should see a tiny sliver of the black mouthpiece tip above the reed. Too high and the reed won’t respond; too low and it’ll be hard to blow.
5. Check the reed is centred, with an even strip of the mouthpiece rail visible on both sides.
6. Slide the ligature down so it sits just below the reed’s bark (the darker, rounded part at the base) — it shouldn’t cover the thin scraped section further up.
7. Tighten the ligature screws gently and evenly, just enough to hold the reed still. Overtightening can affect the sound and crack the reed.

Care Instructions

1. Swab the bore after every use, top and bottom joints, to remove moisture.
2. Remove the reed after playing, wipe it dry, and store it flat in a reed case — don’t leave it on the mouthpiece.
3. Loosen the ligature slightly during storage so it doesn’t warp the reed.
4.  Apply cork grease periodically to the joint corks to make assembly easier and help prevent cracking.
   Store fully disassembled in the case.
5. Avoid sudden temperature changes, which can cause the wood to crack. 

Reed Care

1. Always remove the reed after playing — never leave it sitting on the mouthpiece, as it can warp out of shape.
   Wipe the reed dry with a soft cloth or tissue before putting it away.
2. Store reeds flat in a proper reed case or reed guard, not loose in an instrument case or pocket, to stop them warping or chipping.
3. Rotate between two or three reeds rather than relying on just one — giving each reed time to dry out and rest between uses makes them last much longer.
4. Handle reeds by the thicker end (the bark), not the thin tip, to avoid chipping the delicate scraped section.
5. A reed usually lasts a few weeks of regular playing. If the sound turns dull or hard to produce, or the tip looks chipped or discoloured, it’s time for a new one.
6. Keep a couple of spare reeds on hand — a chipped reed shouldn’t mean missing a rehearsal.
7. Reeds are a natural cane product, so avoid leaving them somewhere very hot, cold, or humid.

• Swab the bore after every use, top and bottom joints, to remove moisture.
• Remove the reed after playing, wipe it dry, and store it flat in a reed case — don’t leave it on the mouthpiece.
• Loosen the ligature slightly during storage so it doesn’t warp the reed.
• Apply cork grease periodically to the joint corks to make assembly easier and help prevent cracking.
• Store fully disassembled in the case.
• Avoid sudden temperature changes, which can cause the wood to crack