Clarinet

Hello there. I am a clarinet. I am a long, shiny tube made of wood, and I have lots of shiny silver keys that you can press. When you blow into me, I sing. Whee. My voice can be very quiet and soft, like a whisper. Or it can be loud and happy, like a song you dance to. Before I was born, there was an instrument that looked a little like me. It could sing low notes, but it wanted to sing higher and higher, like a little bird.

My inventor was a kind man named Johann Christoph Denner. He lived in a place called Germany a very, very long time ago, around the year 1700. Johann loved making instruments. He had an instrument called the chalumeau. It had a nice, low voice, but Johann wanted it to sing high notes too. He thought and thought in his workshop. Then, he had a super idea. He added a special new key to the instrument. It was like a magic button. When he pressed the new key and blew, a brand new sound came out. It was me. I could sing so high and bright. I was so excited to sing my new songs for everyone.

Soon, other people heard my happy voice. They wanted me to sing in their bands. I joined big groups of instruments called orchestras. It was so much fun to play with the violins and the big drums. I can play sleepy songs to help you nap, like a lullaby. Shhh. I can also play bouncy, jumpy songs that make you want to clap your hands and dance. Today, I still sing for people all over the world. I love making music and making people smile. It makes me feel so proud to share my songs.