Editing Contra-alto clarinet (section)

== Description and technique ==

The range of most contra-alto clarinets extends downwards to its low E♭ ([[Concert pitch|concert]] G♭<sub>1</sub>). Some models go down to D (concert F<sub>1</sub>) or C (concert E♭<sub>1</sub>). For this the instrument must be longer and have additional keys which the player operates with the right thumb and/or little fingers (as with the basset horn). In the altissimo range, the fingerings on the contra-alto clarinet are sometimes different from those on the higher clarinets.<ref>{{cite web|title=Alternative fingering chart for Boehm system alto, bass and contra-alto clarinet – Altissimo register:C6# to E7b|periodical=|publisher=|url=https://www.wfg.woodwind.org/clarinet/basscl_alt_2.html|url-status=|access-date=|archive-url=|archive-date=|last=Timothy Reichard|date=|year=|language=|pages=|quote=}}</ref>

Modern contra-alto clarinets have a double (or even triple) automatic stop key. {{Citation needed|date=October 2021}}

The contra-alto clarinet has a curved bell, mainly made of metal, which is necessary for sound projection. It is located in the lowest part of the instrument. On the curved clarinets ("paper clip") the bell is in the upper part of the instrument.

The instrument can be played sitting down or standing up with the help of a peg or a strap.

In [[instrumentation|orchestration]], the contra-alto clarinet's playing is as fast as that of the bass clarinet. Unlike other low wind instruments (contrabassoon, tuba, ...) it can play a wide range of nuances from "fff" to "ppp" and articulations ("legato", "staccato", slap, ...). In [[Contemporary classical music|contemporary music]], composers use its ability to produce polyphonic sounds. {{Citation needed|date=October 2021}}