Woodwind orchestra - Clarinet 1/2 - Philipp Dangas

Woodwind orchestra - Clarinet 1/2 [Sound combinations]

General information about sound combinations with the clarinet

The sound of the clarinet is quite adaptable. The merging ability of the clarinet sound with that of the other woodwind instruments is particularly distinctive. This is evident in both the unison and octave combinations.

General information about the unison combinations with the clarinet

Many effective unison combinations with other orchestral instruments result for the clarinet. First of all, the combinations with the other woodwind instruments should be mentioned. The combination of the clarinet with the flute increases the substance and the brilliance of the tones. The clarinet in particular contributes to this combination.

For clarinet and bassoon in unison, only the chalumeau register and the weak middle register come into consideration. A melodious combination is that of the clarinet with the horn.

The unison combination of the clarinet with the string instruments results in an effective, substantial overall sound. The connection between the clarinet and the cello is particularly noteworthy. The middle register of the clarinet usually comes into consideration for this.

Example of unison combination [clarinet-oboe-flute]

What is remarkable about this example is the addition of the large flutes in fortissimo.

Downloads for the [Unison combinations: clarinet-oboe-flute]

Music by Dmitri Shostakovich
Sound file for the score
 „9th Symphony 2nd movement“ 
Download-size: 139 Kilobytes
PDF file for the score
 „9th Symphony 2nd movement“ 
Download–size: 45.3 Kilobytes

Note on the score with an example of the [unison combinations]

A graphic with an extract from the score follows. Excerpt from “Symphony 9, 2nd movement”. Composition by Dmitri Shostakovich. An example of the [unison combinations] of the clarinet with the oboe and the flute. The graphic can also be enlarged. It is Link-Sensitive [Clickable].

2/2.Example of the chord combinations with the clarinet