The clarinet is a transposing instrument-its part in the score is written at a different pitch from the one actually sounded. The clarinet is a versatile member of the orchestra, the principal treble woodwind of the concert band. There are also soprano clarinets (range D3 to F6) and bass clarinets some 94 cm in length which cover D2 to F5flat. The B-flat clarinet is about 60 cm (23.6 in) long and has a range of more than three octaves. The instrument most commonly used today is known as the B-flat clarinet the next most common is the clarinet in A. The body of the instrument is typically constructed of wood. The base width specification is 11.55 mm and the tip 13.05 mm. The base of the reed is at least 3 mm thick and the reeds for the clarinets used in the U.S. The reed is made from cane, and reeds from southern France are favored.

It's mouthpiece holds a single reed, in contrast to the double reed of the oboe family. The clarinet consists of a closed cylindrical air column with a bell-shaped opening at one end. Hard and black, this wood is capable of taking a high polish. The traditional wood is an ebony from Africa, Asia or South America commonly referred to as grenadilla wood.

B flat clarinet mouthpiece no symbol