This is a practical guide to the world of the clarinet. It offers students and performers a composite survey of the history and repertoire of the instrument from its origins to the present day, as well as practical guidance on teaching and performing.

1. Single reeds before 1750 Colin Lawson; 2. The development of the clarinet Nicholas Shackleton; 3. The clarinet family: clarinets in B flat and A, the C clarinet Colin Lawson; The high clarinets Basil Tschaikov; The basset horn Georgina Dobrée; The bass clarinet Michael Harris; 4. The development of the clarinet repertoire Jo Rees-Davis; 5. Players and composers Pamela Weston; 6. The mechanics of playing the clarinet Antony Pay; 7. Teaching the clarinet Paul Harris; 8. Playing historical clarinets Colin Lawson; 9. The professional clarinettist Nicholas Cox; 10. The contemporary clarinet Roger Heaton; 11. The clarinet in jazz John Robert Brown; 12. The clarinet on record Michael Bryant; Appendices.