Clarinet

The clarinet is a musical instrument in the woodwind family. The instrument has a nearly cylindrical bore and a flared bell, and uses a single reed to produce sound. German instrument maker Johann Christoph Denner is generally credited with inventing the clarinet around the year 1700 by adding a register key to the chalumeau, an earlier single-reed instrument. A musician who plays the clarinet is called a clarinetist, a clarinettist, or a clarinet player. Over time, additional keywork and the development of airtight pads were added to improve the tone and playability. 

Today the clarinet is used in classical music, military bands, klezmer, jazz, and other styles. It is a standard fixture of the orchestra and concert band. Another instrument in the clarinet family used in many of these ensembles is the bass clarinet, which is larger and plays an octave below the clarinet.