The purpose of this study is to trace the development of a comparatively young orchestral instrument, the bass clarinet, and its use in the symphony orchestra. The first chapter concerns the development of the bass clarinet from the earliest imperfect specimen to the modern day instrument. The second chapter discusses physical characteristics that are peculiar to the bass clarinet. The third chapter deals with the particular methods of using the bass clarinet in orchestral literature by various composers, from its introduction into the orchestra by Meyerbeer through the present.