clarinetist
A musician who plays the clarinet.
In Depth
A clarinetist produces sound by blowing air between a single reed and the mouthpiece, causing the reed to vibrate. The left hand operates the upper keys while the right hand covers the lower keys and tone holes. The embouchure — the position of lips, jaw, and facial muscles around the mouthpiece — is critical to tone quality and control.
The clarinet's enormous range (nearly four octaves) and timbral variety — from the dark, warm chalumeau register to the bright, singing clarion — make it one of the most versatile woodwind instruments. Legendary clarinetists include Benny Goodman (jazz/classical crossover), Sabine Meyer (orchestral), and Don Byron (contemporary/eclectic).
Benny Goodman was the first musician to give a jazz concert at Carnegie Hall in 1938. He also commissioned classical works from Bartók, Copland, and Hindemith — bridging jazz and classical worlds.