Exactly How many keys are on a Clarinet?

Question

Bb clarinet to be exact.

Someone said 18 but i dont think thats right. they forgot the four on you hit on the right in the upper joint.

Answer 1

Selmer Paris tells us this about their recital model:
"Recital" (Paris) - Bb Soprano - .567" bore, thick grenadilla wood body, 18 keys-6 rings, silver-plated keys. The Recital has an optional low F resonance key that provides additional venting for a clearer tone on low F."

In this case, the manufacturer says "18 keys-6 rings" with one more optional to 19 keys.

Leblanc tells us this about their model L40KCA
"Key:Bb Bore: 14.85 mm (.584") Key mechanism: 17 key, 6 ring Key style: In-line Jump trill keys Body material: Aged grenadilla wood Pad cup style: Conical
Key finish: Nickel-plated"

In this case, the manufacturer says "17 keys, 6 rings"

The Amati ACL349S says "AMATI Bb Clarinet, semi-professional model, all wood, 22 keys, 6 rings, fork Bb and F key, Eb and F lever, connected octave key, 2 barrels, adjustable thumb rest, silver-plated keywork."

In this case, the manufacturer has provided 22 keys and 6 rings.

while their ACL 342 says "AMATI Bb Clarinet, student model, 17 keys, 4 rings, bore 14.6mm (.575"), wooden body, plastic bell, leather pads, adjustable thumb rest, nickel-plated keywork."

17 keys, 4 rings for the student.

The truly famous Buffet R13 (presently the industry standard professional clarinet) has "17 keys and 6 rings" according to Buffet-Crampon who makes it. But, their RC Prestige model provides "20 keys / 7 rings" with a range to low Eb.

Steven Fox (http://www.sfoxclarinets.com/Classical.html) makes historical reproduction clarinets with 5-12 keys but these aren't like the modern Bb soprano clarinet as we know it. Even so, they are still "a clarinet" and should be considered. A "clarinet" with no keys is a "Chalumeau".

Bottom line, there is no single answer because the manufacturers are free to add or delete certain keys and rings according to the needs of various players.

Typically, a Bb soprano clarinet has between 17-22 keys and 4-7 rings. ☺

Answer 2

Keys On A Clarinet

Answer 3

18

Answer 4

There are 17 keys, and 6 rings which are counted separately from the keys.
Top joint:
Register key
Index finger A
Index finger G-sharp
Four side trill keys
Sliver D-sharp (yes, I said "sliver", not "silver")
C-sharp key

Lower joint::
3 left-hand keys
4 right-hand keys
ring-finger alternate B key

Answer 5

23

3 fingers holes on top
3 on bottom
1 behind
1 key behind
4 at your right pinky
3 at your left pinky
1 under the second hole on top
1 under second hole on bottom
1 above the first hole on top
1 to the side of first hole on top
4 trill keys

Answer 6

17, i think