Editing Alto clarinet (section)

{{Short description|Musical instrument of the clarinet family}}
{{Infobox Instrument
|name=Alto clarinet
|image=Altklarinetten BC+Dietz.jpg
|image_size=180px
|caption=<br>Alto clarinet BC to low Eb (Boehm system) and Dietz to low C (German system)
|classification=
*[[Wind instrument|Wind]]
*[[Woodwind instrument|Woodwind]]
*[[Single-reed instrument|Single-reed]]
|range=
*'''Written''': E{{music|flat}}<sub>3</sub> to G<sub>6</sub>
*'''Sounding''': G{{music|flat}}<sub>2</sub> to B{{music|flat}}<sub>5</sub>
|related=
*[[Clarinet]]
*[[Clarinet d'amore]]
*[[Basset horn]]
*[[Bass clarinet]]
*[[Contra-alto clarinet]]}}

The '''alto clarinet''' is a [[woodwind instrument]] of the [[clarinet family]]. It is a [[transposing instrument]] pitched in the key of E{{music|flat}}, though instruments in F have been made. In size it lies between the [[soprano clarinet]] and the [[bass clarinet]]. It bears a greater resemblance to the bass clarinet in that it typically has a straight body (made of [[grenadilla]] or other [[wood]], hard [[rubber]], or  [[plastic]]), but a curved neck and bell made of metal. All-metal alto clarinets also exist.  In appearance it strongly resembles the [[basset horn]], but usually differs in three respects: it is pitched a whole step lower, it lacks an extended lower range, and it has a wider bore than many basset horns.<ref>[http://depts.washington.edu/uwwinds/cbdna/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/A.%20Cl.%20Paper.pdf  Typical basset horn bore is {{convert|15.5|-|15.7|mm|abbr=on}}; typical alto clarinet bore is {{convert|18|mm|abbr=on}}.  A few modern instruments with basset keys have larger bores, but these use alto clarinet mouthpieces, and are properly considered hybrids between the two instruments.] Depts.washington.edu</ref>

The range of the alto clarinet is from the concert G<sub>2</sub> or G{{Music|flat}}<sub>2</sub> (in the second octave below middle C, bottom line of the [[Clef#Bass clef|bass clef]]) to E{{Music|flat}}<sub>6</sub> (in the second octave above middle C), with the exact upper end of the range depending on the skill of the player.  Despite the broad range, the instrument is always scored in the treble clef.

Most modern alto clarinets, like other instruments in the clarinet family, have the [[Boehm system (clarinet)|Boehm system]] or [[Oehler system]] of keys and fingering, which means that this clarinet has virtually identical fingering to the others. The alto clarinet, however, often has an extra key allowing it to play a low (written) E{{music|flat}}, and a [[half-hole]] key controlled by the left-hand index finger with a vent that may be uncovered to assist in playing the [[altissimo]] register.