Modular Membrane Clarinet BY BRAS with Bass Extensions

One Modular Clarinet. Two heads. Four bass extensions. Nine instruments in one. The Modular Membrane Clarinet BY BRAS with Bass Extensions combines nine configurations in one modular instrument: a simple membrane clarinet and a two-head drone membrane clarinet with eight different drones available. Looking for the other versions? Explore the Membrane Clarinet or the Modular Membrane Clarinet Play the clarinet on its own, add the drone, or change its note using the included extensions. This version includes the complete Modular Membrane Clarinet setup, plus four additional bass drone extensions that provide the same drone notes one octave lower. The parts are removable and interchangeable, allowing you to assemble, take apart, and transform the instrument as you explore. Deeper drones, a new dimension When experimenting with very low drones, I found that the combination sounded so good that I wanted to make this extended range available as part of the instrument. The higher melodic voice of the Membrane Clarinet stands out beautifully against these deep, sustained sounds. Taking the drones down an octave adds an incredible depth and physical presence to the instrument, opening up new possibilities for melodies, slow phrases, and rhythmic playing. This led me to develop four bass drone extensions, taking the Modular Membrane Clarinet to another level. One melody, eight different drones The melodic instrument plays in D Mixolydian. The standard drone body and three included extensions give you a choice of A, G, D, or E drones. The four bass extensions provide these same notes one octave lower, giving you eight drone options in total. Both voices sound together through the double mouthpiece, combining the expressive sound of the melodic instrument with a sustained tonal foundation. The fingerings stay the same, but each drone changes the relationship between the two voices. Explore different tonal centres with A, G, D, and E, then take each one an octave lower for a whole new depth of sound. Modular by design The instrument is designed to be assembled and taken apart. Two double rings hold the melodic instrument and drone together, while a sleeve connects the interchangeable drone extensions. The four bass extensions lengthen the drone’s air column, allowing you to explore much lower sounds with the same membrane system. The double mouthpiece has a special design that lets you comfortably play either the melodic instrument alone or both voices together. You can also remove the drone setup and return to the simple clarinet with its simple mouthpiece. The same parts become different instruments, letting you move between melodic playing, standard drones, and deep bass drones. Two voices, simple to play Both voices use the same membrane acoustic system as the other instruments in the Membrane Clarinet family. Unlike traditional clarinets or reed instruments, they do not require embouchure technique. You simply blow: the membranes respond naturally, producing a rich and expressive sound. There are no keys, pads, or complex mechanisms. The melodic fingerings remain direct and intuitive, while breath controls the dynamics and phrasing of the combined sound. The membranes are made from vinyl gloves. The instrument comes with two gloves, giving you plenty of spare material to replace the membranes when needed. A melodic voice made for drones One octave above the Bass Membrane Clarinet, the melodic instrument joins the Bass and Double Bass models as the alto voice of the family. Its higher register sounds especially good against the deeper voice of the drone, particularly with the additional bass extensions. The melodic instrument is tuned in D Mixolydian, a scale that also allows you to play in E natural minor. Complete scale: D – E – F# – G – A – B – C – D – E The low D is accessible with the little finger. Changing the drone gives you different tonal centres and registers to explore with this same melodic scale. An instrument shaped by experience Nicolas Bras has been exploring alternative wind instruments and unconventional acoustic systems for over 20 years, combining performance, research, and hands-on instrument making. The Modular Membrane Clarinet with Bass Extensions continues this exploration: accessible sound production, modular parts, and an extended drone range developed through hands-on experimentation. Technical overview Tuning Melodic scale: D Mixolydian Also playable in E natural minor Low D accessible with the little finger Melodic register: one octave above the Bass Membrane Clarinet Standard drone notes: A, G, D, and E Bass drone notes: A, G, D, and E, one octave below the standard drones Eight drone options in total Design Nine configurations in one instrument Soft-reed / membrane-based acoustic system Specially designed double mouthpiece for comfortable playing with or without the drone Keyless, no mechanical system Removable, modular assembly Three interchangeable standard drone extensions Four additional bass drone extensions Can be reconfigured as a simple clarinet Parts Simple mouthpiece Double mouthpiece Connecting pipes Two membrane clarinet heads Membrane clarinet head rings 3D-printed membrane clarinet body Drone body pipe Two double rings Sleeve Three drone extensions with tuning rings Four bass drone extensions Materials 3D-printed parts: PLA Pipes: PVC Membranes: vinyl glove