Contra-alto clarinet
Selmer Contra-alto clarinet | |
| Woodwind instrument | |
|---|---|
| Classification | |
| Hornbostel–Sachs classification | (Single-reeded aerophone with keys) |
| Playing range | |
|
written Es3-F7, sounding Fis1-As5 | |
The contra-alto clarinet, sometimes referred to as the E♭ contrabass clarinet, is a large clarinet pitched a perfect fifth below the B♭ bass clarinet. It is a transposing instrument in E♭ sounding an octave and a major sixth below its written pitch, between the bass clarinet and the B♭ contrabass clarinet.
The contra-alto clarinet is often used in clarinet choirs and ensembles of clarinets and saxophones. It may also be present in a wind band. The repertoire for contra-alto clarinet in the symphony orchestra is limited. In ensembles it is usually used in unison with the other woodwind instruments, such as (bassoon, bass clarinet and contrabass clarinet), or it plays the lower octave in addition.