![]() ![]() By having clarinets be in different keys, the musician only has to learn one set of fingerings in order to play all clarinets.įurthermore, most woodwind instruments in general share very similar fingerings. Since a clarinetist ideally should be able to play all clarinets, it would be inconvenient to have the fingerings map to different notes depending on the length of the clarinet. So, if not for the fact that we refer to different lengths of clarinets as being in different keys, each different length of clarinet would have different fingerings for each note. Despite having the same fingerings, however, the length of the clarinet changes the pitch that each fingering produces. The reason that this is necessary is because all clarinets use exactly the same fingerings even though clarinets can be made in a variety of lengths. The same applies for any “transposing” instrument that is, an instrument which is not tuned to the key of C. So, the note indicated on Bb clarinet sheet music is not the same as the pitch which is actually produced. Likewise, a C major scale played on a Bb clarinet actually produces a Bb major scale. So, when a musician plays a C on a Bb clarinet, it would actually be as if a pianist were playing a Bb. The “Bb” specifies the key that the clarinet is tuned to. It is typical to refer to instruments as being in a specific key to accommodate for a higher or lower pitched instrument while also keeping fingerings consistent between instruments.īy the end of this article, you’ll understand exactly what it means for a clarinet to be in Bb, and you’ll understand why clarinets are made that way. ![]() Because instruments can be created in many different keys, the “Bb” is included to specify the key of the instrument. The Bb clarinet is a transposing instrument for which a notated C actually produces the pitch Bb. What does it mean for clarinets to be in the key of Bb, and why are they created this way? You may have heard that most clarinets that you see are “Bb clarinets.” If you don’t have much of a background in wind instruments, this can be confusing at first. ![]()
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