THE ORCHESTRA: A USER'S MANUAL
Introduction Orchestration Orchestration Resources Historical Andrew Hugill
  Philharmonia

CLARINET


Section: Woodwind
Transposing? Yes

Construction
Range
Articulations
Effects
Extended
Player's Tips and Tricks

Links

Extended techniques

NAME
DESCRIPTION
NOTATION
LISTEN/VIEW
COMMENTS
alternative fingerings
different ways of fingering notes
verbal instruction and fingering diagram
 alternative fingerings There is no need to specify fingerings normally, so the use of alternative fingerings is generally left to the player. There should be a very good reason for specifying alternative fingerings!
microtones
intervals smaller than a semitone
notations vary, but the following examples seem typical of quartertones:

and the following typical of raised and lowered inflections:

microtones (clarinet)

microtones (bass clarinet)

Microtones on the clarinet are practicable, but obviously need a great deal of care and attention to detail. Consultation with the player is probably the best way forwards.

Microtones on the bass clarinet are much more problematic, because of the covered holes.

multiphonics (played)
playing chords
write the bottom note of the chord and the word 'chord' above

multiphonics

chords

Although specialist manuals often give highly detailed fingerings for chord production, the variability of production makes this generally a non-specific effect
multiphonics (sung)
singing into the instrument
write the sung notes in small noteheads, plus verbal instruction
singing into instrument It is possible for voice and instrument to sing and play either the same or different notes, and for both to move independently of one another. Watch out for the vocal range!
air note
blowing into the instrument
may be ptiched (write verbal instruction above the note) or unpitched

air notes (clarinet)

air notes (bass clarinet)

Pitched air notes are very quiet. Unpitched notes may be made louder by allowing air to escape around the mouthpiece.

'Half and half' (i.e. half an embouchure) is quite efffective in the low register of the bass clarinet.
without mouthpiece
removing the mouthpiece and blowing into barrel
verbal instruction (may be pitched)
 without mouthpiece Perfectly possible, but not particularly effective.
slap tongue
violent release of the tongue, creating a 'slap' as the vacuum is opened
verbal instruction
 slap tongue A bass clarinet effect.
key clicks
clicking instrument keys

x-shaped noteheads and verbal instruction

clicks on clarinet

clicks on bass clarinet

 Relatively quiet on clarinet, but quite effective in the low register of the bass.