contrabass clarinet
The largest member of the clarinet family, sounding two octaves below the standard B-flat clarinet.
In Depth
The contrabass clarinet is a massive instrument that can stand over six feet tall, producing the deepest tones in the clarinet family. Most modern instruments are pitched in B-flat, sounding two octaves below the soprano clarinet, with a range extending down to the lowest notes of the piano. Its tone is remarkably smooth and warm despite its extreme depth, lacking the roughness often associated with very low-pitched instruments. Used primarily in large wind ensembles and contemporary orchestral works, the contrabass clarinet adds a foundation of dark warmth to the woodwind section. Composers like Percy Grainger championed its use in wind band music, and it appears in orchestral works by composers from Schoenberg to John Adams. Modern manufacturers have made the instrument more ergonomic and reliable, increasing its adoption.
Some contrabass clarinets are so large that the player must stand on a platform, and the bell of the instrument rests on the floor.