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Clarinet
A woody, hollow reed instrument with a liquid tone.
1 · Hear it
Listen twice: once alone, once with the band. The second one is how you'll actually hear it in songs.
2 · What it actually is
A wooden tube with a single reed and a very even, dark sound.
Its job
Melody and counter-melody, especially in older styles.
Listen for
Round and hollow — almost no brightness at the top.
You've heard it in: Klezmer, dixieland jazz, classical orchestras.
3 · Words that go with it