13th Jun 2010
About The Alto Clarinet
The alto clarinet, or tenor clarinet, is tuned to the pitch of Eb, and although not among the most popular in the range of various clarinets, is capable of producing a unique sound and individualistic sound.
The tenor clarinet is a woodwind instrument with a single reed, as are all of its clarinet relatives. What differentiates the tenor is the pitch and sound it produces. The tenor tends to produce a more distinctive sound than many other wind instruments are capable of, which often leads to this specific clarinet being used in nontraditional ways. As far as size is concerned, this clarinet hovers around the average for instruments of its type, and is a considerable amount larger than the soprano clarinet.
The usage for this clarinet varies and is for the most part versatile depending on the intentions of its beholder. It oftentimes finds its way into concert bands as most woodwind instruments do, but they are often few in number in these bands because the usual intention of the band director when inserting tenor clarinets is to allow the group to output a more exciting and distinctive style of music. However, it is overall a less typical sighting to see a tenor clarinet in a concert band, and especially an orchestral group, because when attempting to blend together a variety of instruments to produce music, the tenor stands out above all others.
What you won’t find in most other clarinets, or woodwind instruments, or even band instruments, is the tenor clarinets usage by jazz musicians, even used solo. The dull nature of most other band instruments leaves them only capable of producing quality music when blended together; the tenor is an exception to this generalization.
It is, in short, a more individualistic and capable instrument than others in its range, making it popular in several musical regions, including concert band and jazz. Look at Bundy Alto clarinet or Yamaha clarinet.
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