The E flat clarinet is typically considered the sopranino or piccolo member of the clarinet family. Smaller in size and higher in pitch (by a perfect fourth) than the more common B flat clarinet, it is a transposing instrument in E flat, sounding a minor third higher than written. In Italian it is sometimes referred to as a terzino. 

The sopranino clarinet is used in orchestras, concert bands and marching bands, and plays a particularly central role in clarinet choirs, carrying the high melodies that would be treacherous for the B flat clarinet. Solo repertoire is limited. 

The sopranino clarinet is required to play at the top of its range for much of the time to take advantage of its piercing quality. Fingerings in that register are more awkward than on the lower part of the instrument, making high, fast, passages difficult.