Noun: chalumeau (chalumeaux) ,shal-u'mow
- A woodwind instrument, the predecessor of the clarinet
"The museum displayed an ancient chalumeau alongside modern clarinets"
- The lowest range of the clarinet, reaching up to written B flat above middle C
"The composer utilized the rich, dark tones of the chalumeau register in the piece"
Derived forms: chalumeaux
Type of: clarinet
Encyclopedia: Chalumeau