Clarinet in B flat, boxwood, ivory mounts and barrel. In five sections. Thirteen brass keys, round, flat, mounted in turned blocks and ring and three keys in saddles. Long keys rollered. Sounding length (length without mouthpiece) is 59.7 cm. Block of C sharp/G sharp key repaired. Several blocks pinned; crack at saddle of throat G sharp key pinned. Some pads missing or loose. Ebony mouthpiece probably original. Stamped: Key Charing Cross London (Unicorn mark).
The B flat Clarinet has a large range and produces different tone colours as it passes from one register to another. The lowest is the 'chalumeau', named after the clarinet's predecessor. It has a deep, resonant sound. When the player puts the thumb on the speaker key, they enter the 'clarinet' or 'clarino' register. Its sound was thought to be like that of the clarino trumpet. It is the most used register. The highest and most shrill part of the clarinet's range is referred to as the 'altissimo' or 'extreme' register.
