The document discusses the clarinet family of woodwind instruments. It describes how the clarinet was invented in 1690 by German instrument maker Johann Christoph Denner. There are seven main types of clarinets: B-flat clarinet, bass clarinet, contra-bass clarinet, alto clarinet, contra-alto clarinet, saxophone, and saxonette. Each type varies in size, pitch, and use. The most common clarinet is the B-flat soprano clarinet used in bands and orchestras.