Soprano clarinet

Infobox Instrument
name=Soprano clarinet
names=


classification=
*Wind
*Woodwind
*Single-reed
range=Written range:
related=
*Piccolo clarinet
*Basset clarinet
*Alto clarinet
*Bass clarinet
musicians=
*
articles=The soprano clarinets are a sub-family of the clarinet family. They include the most common types of clarinets, and indeed are often referred to as simply "clarinets".

Among the soprano clarinets are the Bmusic|♭ clarinet, the most common type, whose range extends from D below middle C (written E) to about the C three octaves above middle C; the A and C clarinets, sounding respectively a semitone lower and a whole tone higher than the Bmusic|♭ clarinet; and the low G clarinet, sounding yet a whole tone lower than the A, rare in western music but popular in the folk music of Turkey. While some writers reserve a separate category of sopranino clarinets for the Emusic|♭ and D clarinets, [Nicholas Shackleton. "Clarinet", "Grove Music Online", ed. L. Macy (accessed 21 February 2006), [http://www.grovemusic.com/ grovemusic.com] (subscription access).] these are more usually regarded as soprano clarinets as well.

Clarinets in C are common in music of the classical period and in some later music, particularly opera.

There have also been soprano clarinets in C, A, and Bmusic|♭ with curved barrels and bells marketed under the names Saxonette, Claribel, and Clariphon.

Shackleton lists also obsolete "sopranino" clarinets in (high) G, F, and E, and soprano clarinets in B and Amusic|♭. The G "sopranino", only a half step lower than the Amusic|♭ piccolo clarinet, was popular during the Biedermeier period in Vienna for playing Schrammelmusik.

References