Early 18th century:
- Johann Christoph Denner, a German instrument maker, is credited with developing the first clarinets.
- Denner's early clarinets had a cylindrical bore, a single reed, and a bell-shaped pavillon, similar to the chalumeau.
- These early clarinets were tuned in C and B-flat, and had a limited range of about two octaves.
Late 18th century:
- Improvements were made to the clarinet's key system, making it easier to play and expanding its range.
- The addition of keys allowed for chromatic play and improved the instrument's intonation.
- The range of the clarinet was extended downwards by adding a register key.
Early 19th century:
- In 1809, German clarinet maker Theobald Boehm developed a new key system for the clarinet, known as the Boehm system.
- Boehm's system revolutionized clarinet playing by improving the instrument's intonation, response, and agility.
- The Boehm system is still used on most modern clarinets today.
Late 19th and early 20th century:
- Further refinements were made to the clarinet, including improvements to the bore, materials, and mouthpiece design.
- The French clarinet maker Hyacinthe Klose made significant contributions to the modern clarinet's design.
- The German clarinet maker Oskar Oehler also developed a key system that is widely used, particularly on German clarinets.
By the early 20th century, the clarinet had reached its modern form, with a standard key system, bore design, and materials. The modern clarinet is capable of producing a wide range of tones and has a versatile role in various musical genres, including classical, jazz, and contemporary music.