The Chalumeau and the Clarinet

In this article we will explore early instruments called chalumeau and various instruments evolved from them. The instruments group of chalumeau is a folk instrument played with a single reed and chalumeau itself is most often called the predecessor of modern clarinet. There are only 8 sound holes in the cylindrical hole of the instrument. There are many other clarinet instruments that existed at the same time, similar to chalumeau.

The first form of a clarinet can be seen in various shades of western Europe in the 17th century, which is often called Charmou. The word chalumeau was born in France and is a common name for every small lead tube. This clarinet was originally developed by Chalumeau around 1700 by German instruments manufacturer JC Denner. It is often suggested that Denner invented the clarinet by improving chalumeau. Denner provided another mouthpiece for the clarinet, adding a button, developing ringtones, and for the first time the third and fifth harmonics. Clarinet was used very sporadically in the first half of the 18th century and was assigned to the part to which restricted compass was assigned. This may be due to imperfections of new equipment. By 1800, few orchestras did not have a clarinet. In chamber music, Mozart assured its position. As a solo instrument, it had a long career before 1800

In the beginning of the 18th century, German instrument maker Johan Christophe Denner invented the clarinet by improving Charmou. He does this by doubling the length of chalumeau and adding two keys. Clarinet slowly got more keys in the 18th century. By 1750, five major clarinets became standard. In 1844, two French musicians, Louis - Augustine Buffet and Hyacinth Crozé, made the most important progress in the history of musical instruments. They applied the Boehm flute key system to the clarinet. This is done by placing each hole at a different position so that each note has the same sound quality. Then they designed a key system covering all the holes. These improvements have been successful and newly revised instruments are very popular all over the world.