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The most widely used definition of a clarinet is a "Single-reed woodwind instrument with cylindrical tube developed c. 1690 by J. C. Denner of Nuremberg". The clarinet is popular band instrument that has the second biggest range in the woodwind family with the bassoon being the first. It produces a full, dark tone when in the lower range and a bright, almost nasal sounding tone when blowing the high notes. When a player has been playing the clarinet for a few years, the clarinet's normal range is from 3 1/2 to 4 octaves, although it can exceed 4 octaves.
The clarinet is a single-reed instrument meaning that is uses only one reed to produce a sound. Other instruments such as the saxophone are also single-reed instruments. On the other hand, the bassoon and oboe are examples of double-reed instruments. A single wooden reed is placed against the mouthpiece of a clarinet and held on by a ligature. A player will typically curl his/her lip over their bottom layer of teeth and wrap their mouth tightly around the mouthpiece while pulling tightly down on the chin. When a player blows into the instrument, the reed vibrates against the mouthpiece producing the infamous clarinet tone.
The clarinet is most often used in a traditional concert band but can be used in a wide variety of groups. A clarinet can also be used in jazz bands, orchestras, chamber choirs, marching bands, and is a great sounding solo instrument.