| The clarinet most often heard is the B-flat clarinet, which is a treble instrument. The high notes can be loud and clear, and the low notes can be quiet. The B-flat clarinet has a smaller, higher-pitched relative called the E-flat clarinet. It has the highest sound of the clarinet family. Some medium-range members of the clarinet family that are less often heard are the alto clarinet and the basset-horn. The bass clarinet is a larger, lower-pitched version of the B-flat clarinet. Its tube is long, and curls up at the bottom, similar to the letter "J." This allows the player to sit down to play it in an orchestra. The contra-bass clarinet is even larger and pitched even lower. Its tube is made of metal and it goes all the way up and down and up again, with the bell at the top. Clarinets are usually played in bands, orchestras, dance bands, and woodwind ensembles. It is often featured as a solo instrument.
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