Modular Membrane Clarinet BY BRAS

One Membrane Clarinet. Two heads. Five instruments in one. The Modular Membrane Clarinet BY BRAS combines five configurations in one modular instrument: a simple membrane clarinet and a two-head drone membrane clarinet with four different drones available. Looking for the other versions? Explore the Membrane Clarinet or the Modular Membrane Clarinet with extensions Play the clarinet on its own, add the drone, or change its note using the three included extensions. The parts are removable and interchangeable, allowing you to assemble, take apart, and transform the instrument as you explore. One melody, four different drones The melodic instrument plays in D Mixolydian, while the drone body and three included extensions give you a choice of A, G, D, or E drones. 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, opening up different modal colours, musical directions, and ways to phrase. 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 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, sustained drones, and new combinations. 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. 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 between the A, G, D, and E drones gives you different tonal centres 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 Mouthpiece Clarinet brings together two central ideas from this exploration: accessible sound production and modular parts that invite you to transform your instrument. 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 Available drone notes: A, G, D, and E Design Five 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 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 Materials 3D-printed parts: PLA Pipes: PVC Membranes: vinyl glove