die  Klarinette

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/klaʁiˈnɛtə/

🎶 What exactly is a Klarinette?

The German word die Klarinette refers to the clarinet, a woodwind instrument with a single reed. It's typically made of grenadilla wood, or less commonly other woods, plastics, or metal. Its characteristic sound is produced by the vibration of the reed attached to the mouthpiece.

The Klarinette has a large tonal range and remarkable dynamic flexibility, making it popular in many music genres, from classical music and jazz to folk music.

Because the word ends in '-e' and originates from French/Italian (clarinette/clarinetto, diminutive of clarino), the article is feminine: die Klarinette.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Klarinette

The noun 'Klarinette' is feminine. Here are the declension tables:

Singular

Plural

Example Sentences 📜

• Sie spielt seit fünf Jahren die Klarinette. (She has been playing the clarinet for five years.)
• Der Klang der Klarinette ist sehr warm. (The sound of the clarinet is very warm.)
• Ich höre gern Musik mit einer Klarinette. (I enjoy listening to music with a clarinet.)
• Im Orchester gibt es mehrere Klarinetten. (There are several clarinets in the orchestra.)

🎵 How is 'die Klarinette' used?

The term 'Klarinette' is used almost exclusively for the musical instrument.

• In Music: People talk about "Klarinette spielen" (playing the clarinet), "eine Klarinette kaufen" (buying a clarinet), "dem Klang der Klarinette lauschen" (listening to the sound of the clarinet). It is found in symphony orchestras, wind bands, jazz bands, chamber music ensembles, and as a solo instrument.
• Types: There are different types of clarinets (e.g., B-Klarinette (B♭ clarinet), A-Klarinette (A clarinet), Bassklarinette (bass clarinet), Es-Klarinette (E♭ clarinet)), all of which can be referred to by the general term 'Klarinette', but are often named specifically.
• Figurative meaning: The word is very rarely, almost never, used in a figurative sense.

Confusion is unlikely as the word is very specific.

🧠 Mnemonics for Klarinette

Article Mnemonic: Many German nouns ending in '-e', especially those borrowed from Romance languages like '-ette', are feminine (die). Think of die Toilette, die Zigarette, and die Klarinette. Picture an elegant lady (die Dame) playing die Klarinette.

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of the sound: it can be 'clear' (similar to German 'klar') and 'neat' or 'nice' (somewhat like '-nette'). The Klarinette often has a clear, yet 'nice' or mellow sound.

🔄 Similar and Contrasting Terms

⚠️ Be careful: Don't confuse die Klarinette with the Trompete (trumpet, a brass instrument) or the Oboe (oboe, a double-reed instrument), although they often play together in an orchestra.

😂 A Little Joke

Was ist der Unterschied zwischen einer Klarinette und einer Zwiebel?

Niemand weint, wenn man eine Klarinette zerschneidet! 😄

---

What's the difference between a clarinet and an onion?

Nobody cries when you chop up a clarinet! 😄

🎼 A Poem about the Klarinette

Aus dunklem Holz, mit Silbertasten fein,
so liegt sie da, die Klarinette mein.
Ein Blatt schwingt zart, vom Atem sanft berührt,
ein Ton erwacht, der Herz und Seele spürt.
Mal klagend weich, mal fröhlich, hell und klar,
im Orchesterklang und auch als Solostar.
Von Mozart einst zur Königin ernannt,
reist ihr Gesang durch jedes Musikland.

---

(From dark wood, with silver keys so fine,
There it lies, this clarinet of mine.
A reed vibrates gently, touched by breath so light,
A tone awakens, touching heart and soul's delight.
Sometimes mournful soft, sometimes joyful, bright and clear,
In orchestral sound and as a solo star held dear.
Once crowned a queen by Mozart's skilled hand,
Its song travels through every musical land.)

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich bin aus Holz, doch singe klar,
habe Klappen, silbern, wunderbar.
Ein kleines Blatt bringt mich zum Klingen,
im Jazz und Klassik hörst du mich singen.
Mein Artikel, der ist feminin.

Wer bin ich? ... Die Klarinette

---

(I'm made of wood, but sing out clear,
Have keys of silver, wonderfully dear.
A little reed makes me resound,
In jazz and classics, my voice is found.
My article is feminine.)

What am I? ... Die Klarinette (The Clarinet)

💡 More Fun Facts

• Inventor: The clarinet was developed around 1700 by Johann Christoph Denner in Nuremberg, Germany.
• Name Origin: The name "Klarinette" comes from the Italian "clarinetto", a diminutive of "clarino" (a type of Baroque trumpet), because the sound of early clarinets in the high register resembled that of a trumpet.
• Famous Works: Mozart's Clarinet Concerto and Clarinet Quintet, Carl Maria von Weber's Clarinet Concertos, George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue (featuring the famous opening clarinet glissando).
• Systems: The main systems are the German (Oehler) system and the French (Boehm) system, which differ slightly in fingering and tone.