Meråker clarinet with top - Made by Blåsemaker Grønnesby
Meråker clarinet - Meråker clarinet
Meråker Clarinet - Made by Blåsemaker Grønnesby
Meråker clarinet with top - Made by Blåsemaker Grønnesby
Meråker clarinet - Meråker clarinet
Meråker Clarinet - Made by Blåsemaker Grønnesby

Meråker clarinet

4 000 kr

Handcrafted Meråker clarinet with 8+1 finger holes, adapted to Bb clarinet reeds. Built according to tradition from Meråker in Trøndelag, Norway. The clarinet is made in the key of A (traditional), G or Bb. Supplied with two reeds and a cap. Made to order.



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The Meråker clarinet is a rare Norwegian shepherd's clarinet with roots in the Meråker mountain village in Trøndelag. The instrument combines the best of two worlds: the distinctive sound and history of the old shepherd's instruments and the familiar playing technique of modern clarinets. The instrument is therefore just as suitable for folk musicians as it is for clarinettists and other reed players who want to break into folk music.

Characteristics of the Meråker clarinet

The clarinet has eight finger holes on the upper side and one thumb hole on the underside, and therefore has a tonal range of one ninth. The instrument is delivered in the key of A (traditional), but can also be delivered in G or Bb for those who wants that - enter the desired key in the form above.

The clarinet body is turned from a single piece of birch, while the «beak» of the mouthpiece is made from juniper. The instrument utilises the standard Bb clarinet reed.

The ligature is traditionally - and fittingly - a copper wire, as a tribute to Meråker as a mining town (with Norway's oldest mines for the extraction of copper).

From shepherd's "flute" to folk instrument

The Meråker clarinet was originally known locally as a «flute» and was an instrument used by shepherds and young people in Stordalen in Meråker. In the early 1900s, the instrument almost fell into oblivion along with traditional summer mountain pasture (sæter), but enjoyed a renaissance in the 1950s when Harald Gilland resumed production and modernised the design. After Gilland, the tradition was carried on by Nils Underhaug in Meråker, from whom I learnt the craft.

The clarinets I make are a continuation of the tradition and follow Gilland's modernised design, which has made the clarinet playable in combination with other instruments.

Read more about the history and background of the instrument at my article about the Meråker clarinet.

Care

Wipe dry after use and store the instrument in a dry place. Avoid large temperature fluctuations and direct sunlight. Reeds should be replaced regularly, just like on an ordinary clarinet.

Listen to the clarinet here:

Weight 2 kg
Materials

Birch, juniper
Fundamental

A, G or Bb
Thimble

8 + 1 thumb hole

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Frequently asked questions

What is a Meråker clarinet?

The Meråker clarinet is a rare Norwegian shepherd's clarinet with roots in the mountain community of Meråker in Trøndelag, where it was traditionally called "fløyt". The modern version was revived by Harald Gilland (1912–1992) in the 1950s, and the tradition has been carried on by Nils Underhaug in Meråker, from whom I learned the craft. The instrument combines the distinctive sound of folk music with familiar clarinet playing technique.

What key is the Meråker clarinet tuned in?

The traditional key is A, and the ones I make are tuned there by default. I also make them in G or B♭ for those with specific requests — add your preferred key to your order, or get in touch first if you're not sure.

Is the Meråker clarinet difficult to learn?

The tone comes relatively easily, because the reed generates it for you — much like on a regular clarinet. What makes the instrument distinctive is the intonation: the scale has some characteristic deviations from tempered major, and this is precisely what gives the Meråker clarinet its distinctive sound. You adjust the intonation with lip and breath.

What kind of reed should I use?

You can use both E♭ and B♭ clarinet reeds, but E♭ reeds are the most common. Gilland modernized the instrument precisely by switching from juniper reeds to cut and thinned clarinet reeds — it gives a more stable tone and longer lifespan.

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