Double Bass Membrane Clarinet BY BRAS

Even deeper, still simple to play

The Double Bass Membrane Clarinet BY BRAS is an extremely low soft-reed wind instrument based on a membrane acoustic system, combining the physical depth of a very long air column with an exceptionally simple and intuitive way of playing.

One octave below the Bass Membrane Clarinet, this instrument reaches into a true double bass register: deep, massive, and resonant, with a sound that feels almost physical.

Unlike traditional clarinets, contrabass clarinets, or reed instruments, this instrument does not require embouchure technique. You simply blow: the membrane responds naturally, producing a stable, rich, and expressive low sound.

Its acoustic system and overall form are unique, both in sound behavior and in physical design.

The membrane is made from a vinyl glove. The instrument comes with two gloves, giving you plenty of spare material to replace the membrane when needed.

An extremely low instrument, surprisingly easy to play

At the heart of the Double Bass Membrane Clarinet is an extra-long air column, giving the instrument its incredibly deep and grounded voice.

Despite its very low register, the instrument is designed to remain simple, direct, and physically manageable. For an instrument playing in this range, it stays remarkably compact and easy to handle.

There are no keys, pads, or complex mechanisms.

This makes the instrument approachable for beginners, while offering a powerful and unusual sound palette for experienced musicians, composers, and experimental performers.

Tuning

The instrument is tuned one octave below the Bass Membrane Clarinet.

It plays in E natural minor, with an additional low D accessible with the little finger.

This allows the instrument to be used both as:

D Myxolydian / E natural minor

Complete scale:
D – E – F# – G – A – B – C – D – E

In this double bass register, the scale becomes especially powerful for drones, slow melodic lines, modal playing, deep rhythmic phrases, and cinematic bass textures.

The layout encourages musical exploration while remaining intuitive and physically comfortable.

Designed for depth, simplicity, and performance

The special shape of the Double Bass Membrane Clarinet has been carefully developed to make an extremely low instrument as compact and playable as possible.

For this register, the instrument remains surprisingly small, light, and simple to use.

Its design avoids the complexity usually associated with very low wind instruments. Instead of keys, pads, and advanced reed control, the instrument keeps only the essential elements: breath, membrane, air column, and fingers.

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 Double Bass Membrane Clarinet reflects this long-term exploration: an instrument with the depth and physical presence of a contrabass voice, but stripped down to its most direct and accessible form.

It is extremely low, deeply resonant, and surprisingly simple to play.

Design

Soft-reed / membrane-based wind instrument

Extra-long air column

Double bass register

Keyless, no mechanical system

Compact ergonomic shape for its register

Designed to remain playable for all hand sizes

Parts

Mouthpiece, Membrane clarinet head, Double bass membrane clarinet body in D Mixolydian, Connector pipe, Body pipe

Materials

3D-printed parts: PLA

Body: PVC