About the Membrane clarinet
A membrane clarinet replaces the reed with a stretched elastic membrane. Blow into the mouthpiece and the air pushes past the membrane, making it vibrate. This printed mouthpiece is based on plans and ideas from a well-known maker of membrane instruments, whose original video is linked below. It needs no playing technique, which makes it great for kids.
Stretch a piece of balloon or latex glove over the ring, clamp it with the collar and a small M3 bolt, and trim the excess. Then screw the ring onto the mouthpiece and tighten it while blowing until it sounds. Screwing the cap in or out changes the membrane tension, and different membrane materials change the tone. The body is plain electrical PVC conduit. Cut it to about 475 mm, then trim until the lowest note is an E, and drill the finger holes from the supplied pattern. Leaving out the upper E hole makes it easier for children.
The designer's two assembly videos show the build, while admitting his own isn't perfectly tuned.
What you'll need
Printed parts
- Mouthpiece
- Membrane ring
- Membrane collar
Bought parts
- 16 mm PVC tube (electrical conduit works); a 20 mm version is included
- M3 × 10 bolt and nut
- A balloon or latex glove
Tools
- Saw or tube cutter
- Drill and a file
- A tuner
Build overview
- Print the parts. PLA, 3 walls, 15% infill, supports touching the build plate.
- Fit the membrane. Stretch the membrane over the ring, clamp it with the collar and bolt, and trim it.
- Tension it. Screw the ring onto the mouthpiece and tighten while blowing until it sounds.
- Make the tube. Cut the PVC to about 475 mm and trim until it plays E.
- Drill the holes. Drill to the supplied pattern and file the edges.
Print settings
- Material: PLA
- Walls: 3
- Infill: 15%
- Supports: Touching the build plate only
- Threads: If tight, adjust flow or horizontal expansion
Videos
Play video: PVC clarinet assembly, part 1 (loads YouTube)
Play video: PVC clarinet assembly, part 2 (loads YouTube)
Nothing loads from YouTube until you press play. Video thumbnails are © their creators.
How to build the membrane clarinet (original plans, YouTube) the idea this mouthpiece is based on
Photos
All photos: Fabien T., from the design page on Printables, licensed CC BY-NC-SA. We resized them and converted them to WebP. These adapted versions are shared under the same licence.