E-flat clarinet

The E-flat (E♭) clarinet is a member of the clarinet family, smaller than the more common B♭ clarinet and pitched a perfect fourth higher. It is typically considered the sopranino or piccolo member of the clarinet family and is a transposing instrument in E♭ with a sounding pitch a minor third higher than written. The E-flat clarinet has a total length of about 49 centimetres (19 in).

In Italian, the term quartino refers specifically to the E♭ clarinet, particularly in band scores. The term terzino is also used, referring more generally to any small clarinet.

The E♭ clarinet is used in orchestras, concert bands, and marching bands, and plays a central role in clarinet choirs, carrying melodies that would be uncomfortably high for the B♭ clarinet. Solo repertoire is limited, but composers from Berlioz to Mahler have used it extensively as a solo instrument in orchestral contexts.

Tonal range

Many books about how to arrange music for different instruments say the highest note the E-flat clarinet can play is G6. This is lower than the highest note for A or B-flat clarinets, which can reach C7.

Use in concert and military bands

The E♭ clarinet became popular in bands in the early 1800s, replacing the high F clarinet. Though not common in school bands, it is often used in college and advanced groups. Usually, only one person plays the E♭ clarinet in a band because it has a bright, loud sound like the piccolo. It often plays special parts with the piccolo and is heard with flutes and oboes.

Some famous pieces for the E♭ clarinet include parts from Gustav Holst’s First Suite in E-flat for Military Band, Paul Hindemith’s Symphony in B-flat for Band, and Gordon Jacob’s William Byrd Suite. It also has important solo parts in newer music like Adam Gorb’s Yiddish Dances.

Use as children's clarinet

Some E-flat clarinets are made from inexpensive plastic for young children who are just starting to learn. These clarinets have a simpler finger system and do not include some of the extra keys that more advanced players use.

D clarinet

The D clarinet is a bit bigger than the E-flat clarinet and was used a lot in the 1700s. Today, it is not used as much as other types of clarinets like the E-flat, B-flat, A, or C clarinet.

Some famous pieces of music were written for the D clarinet. For example, Handel wrote a piece that was probably for two D clarinets. In modern times, especially in North America and parts of Europe, musicians often change D clarinet parts to be played on an E-flat clarinet instead.

Sometimes it can be hard to know why a composer chose to use a D clarinet instead of an E-flat clarinet. For example, in some music by Maurice Ravel, the notes are easier to play on a D clarinet but are written for an E-flat clarinet, making it tricky for the player.

Solo and chamber literature for the E♭ (or D) clarinet

There aren't many solo pieces for the E♭ clarinet, but the number is growing. Some famous works include:

• Johann Melchior Molter: Six Clarinet Concerti (D; among the earliest extant clarinet concerti).
• Concerti by Jerome Neff and William Neil.
• Ernesto Cavallini: Carnival of Venice variations, Fantasia on a Theme from Ultimo Giorno Di Pompeii, and (with Giacomo Panizza) I figli di Eduardo 4th (all for E♭ clarinet and piano).
• Paul Mefano: Involutive for solo E♭ clarinet
• Henri Rabaud: "Solo de Concours" for E♭ clarinet.
• Jeroen Speak: Epeisodos for solo E♭ clarinet.
• Amilcare Ponchielli: Quartetto for B♭ and E♭ clarinets, flute, and oboe, with piano accompaniment.
• Giacinto Scelsi: "Tre Pezzi for E♭ Clarinet"
• William Bolcom: "Suite of Four Dances for E♭ Clarinet"
• Manuel Lillo Torregrosa: "Teren Rof", "Vivencias", "Obviam ire siglo", "Angular": Concerts 1, 2, 3, 4 for E♭ Clarinet and Band
• Arnold Schoenberg: Suite, op. 29 (E♭, B♭, and bass clarinet, violin, viola, violoncello, piano).
• Anton Webern: Drei Lieder fur Singstimme, Es-Klarinette und Gitarre Op.18.

Orchestral and operatic music using the E♭ (or D) clarinet

Parts written for D clarinet are often played on the E♭ clarinet, with the player adjusting the pitch slightly.

Many famous orchestral compositions and operas feature notable solos for the E♭ or D clarinet, including works by Hector Berlioz, Maurice Ravel, Richard Strauss, Igor Stravinsky, and Dmitri Shostakovich. Other composers such as Béla Bartók, Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, and Gustav Mahler also used the E♭ or D clarinet extensively in their pieces.

Recent usage

After 1950, many musical pieces have used the E♭ clarinet. Some notable examples include John Adams's Chamber Symphony, where two players use E♭ and bass clarinets, and Adriana Hölszky's A due for two E♭ clarinets. Musicians have also brought special playing methods from the B♭ clarinet, like multiphonics and flutter tonguing, to the E♭ clarinet.