Understanding Harmony Clarinets: Expand your Clarinet Journey

6th June 2025

A recent arrival of two vintage Uebel instruments – a Bass Clarinet to low C and a Basset Horn in F – sparked excitement in our workshop and inspired us to explore the world of harmony clarinets. For many clarinetists, the Bb clarinet is home base. But beyond the familiar lies a fascinating family of instruments known as harmony clarinets. Whether you’re looking to deepen your ensemble experience, explore new timbres, or take on a fresh challenge, understanding harmony clarinets offers a world of musical possibilities and can expand your clarinet journey.

What Are Harmony Clarinets?

The clarinet family is one of the largest in the orchestral world. If you are just starting out on clarinet, you may only be familiar with the Bb clarinet, however, there are many others that sound either higher or lower in pitch. Here are a few of the most commonly used:

Eb Piccolo Clarinet – Higher in pitch, most commonly used in orchestras and wind bands for brightness and colour. You may have heard this in Ravel’s Bolero!
A Clarinet – Close relative of the Bb clarinet, used often in orchestral repertoire.
Bb Clarinet – The go-to for beginners and seasoned players alike. It is fairly standard for orchestral players to own both a Bb and A clarinet as these are the most commonly composed for orchestra.
Alto Clarinet (in Eb) – A step lower than the Bb clarinet, used in concert bands and clarinet choirs.
Basset Horn (in F) – This instrument is incredibly rare now and was most commonly favoured by composers such as Mozart and, surprisingly, Stockhausen! A mellow, slightly darker-toned clarinet between the alto and bass in range; used in classical and chamber music.
Bass Clarinet to low C or Eb (in Bb) – One octave lower than the Bb clarinet. The bass clarinet is very versatile and is popular in bands, orchestras, and solo repertoire, both in jazz and classical.
Contra-alto (in Eb) and Contrabass (in Bb) – Very low-pitched instruments, adding depth in large ensembles like clarinet choirs or symphonic bands.

These instruments form the “harmony” section much like tenor and bass voices in a choir, supporting and enriching the ensemble’s sound.

Why Use Harmony Clarinets?

Adding harmony clarinets to your repertoire offers several benefits, including:

1. Ensemble Balance and Colour

Harmony clarinets add additional voices above and below the standard Bb clarinet, expanding the range and richness of the ensemble in clarinet choirs, concert bands, and orchestras.

2. Expanding Musical Opportunities

Being able to switch to a harmony instrument can make you a more versatile musician, therefore highly valuable in any ensemble setting. These doubling skills across the clarinet range can open doors to new roles and leadership opportunities, for example, in school and community ensembles.

3. Improved Musicianship

Playing a harmony clarinet requires adjusting to transposition, embouchure adjustments, and new fingerings (particularly on larger horns). This strengthens your overall musical awareness and adaptability.

4. Exploring Unique Repertoire

Each instrument has its own catalogue of solo and chamber music. The basset horn, for example, is featured in several works by Mozart and has seen a resurgence in modern compositions. The bass clarinet is especially prominent in contemporary and jazz repertoire.

Tips for Switching to a Harmony Clarinet

1. Start with a Familiar Key

If you’re transitioning from a Bb clarinet, the bass clarinet in Bb is a logical first step. The key is the same, and while the physical feel is different, the written music is familiar to your ear.

2. Adapt Your Embouchure

Larger clarinets use larger mouthpieces and reeds, requiring a more relaxed and open embouchure. Take time to experiment and avoid overblowing – sound production relies more on diaphragm support and resonance than pressure.

3. Equipment Matters

Don’t underestimate the importance of a mouthpiece and ligature for harmony instruments. Consider upgrading once you’re more comfortable to find a set-up that suits you. Reed choice also makes a big difference. For example, a soft reed is often the culprit for squeaks, whereas a hard reed can make sound production a struggle.

4. Practice Low Register Control

Most harmony clarinets shine in the chalumeau (low) register. Practice long tones and interval jumps to improve tone stability and clarity down low.

5. Learn from the Pros

Listen to recordings of players such as Hannah Shilvock (bass clarinet) and others who specialise in harmony clarinets. You’ll gain a better sense of tone ideals, expressive capabilities and repertoire ideas.

Final Thoughts

Switching to a harmony clarinet isn’t just a technical challenge – it’s a musical adventure. Whether you’re drawn to the sonorous tones of the bass clarinet, or the commanding presence of the contrabass, exploring harmony clarinets will expand your voice as a clarinetist and deepen your understanding of ensemble playing.

Check out the video below to see how unusual the clarinet family can be with these vintage Uebel clarinet pair!