Klarinet Archive - Posting 000051.txt from 1969/12

From: kurtheisig@-----.net
Subj: Re: [kl] Alto Clarinet in Concert band?
Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500


With an alto clarinet set up correctly and with a good mthpc--like my HEISIG ones, it is very easy to get it to speak easily with warm tone and a huge volume.

The problem with alto clarinet has been that school teachers just don't know much about it.

#1 From the factories there are usually a few leaks and maladjustments in some of the complicated mechanisms. Most repairmen aren't used to balancing things like that out, though a good oboe repairman should find it no problem.

#2 The stock mouthpieces are awful, and the factory "pro" ones like popular brands often discussed here aren't very good either.

#3 Choice of wrong reeds,

With proper set-up/overhaul, good mthpc and proper reeds the alto clarinet is REALLY easy to play, and play very well. It has a great rich tone and makes a section sound wonderful.

Kurt

-----Original Message-----
>From: John Brophy <johnbrophy0@-----.com>
>Sent: Jun 13, 2010 4:07 PM
>To: The Klarinet Mailing List <klarinet@-----.com>
>Subject: Re: [kl] Alto Clarinet in Concert band?
>
>Alto clarinets are nomally found in original works, such as the Holst
>suites, and Percy Grainger. Not arrangements such as by the Godfrey family.
>They fell out of favour 1925-30 and though they are coming back, you can't
>always be guaranteed a part. I play alto in the CWU (Dublin) band. Check
>Facebook But then, very few bands use Eb sopranino clarinet, or soprano sax,
>probably because nobody will do enough practice to ensure decent intonation.
>
>You're right about the Vitos Mine cost $150 inc. shipping.Asregards
>interesting parts, a lazy arranger will just transcribe the viola parts--and
>in 4-part harmony the alto part is the last to be done. Also, arrangers
>don't realise that it takes a lot more puff to get alto to speak.
>Conta-alto and contrabass are normally found only in US arrangements.
>I'll keep a lookout for good alto parts and let you know of any
>discoveries
>JB
>
>
>
>On Sun, Jun 6, 2010 at 5:55 PM, <BarDu@-----.com> wrote:
>
>> Also found in Dello Joio"s Variants on a Medieval Tune
>>
>>
>> In a message dated 6/6/2010 12:43:05 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
>> BarDu@-----.com writes:
>>
>> Percy Grainger's Lincolnshire Posey has an important alto clarinet part
>>
>>
>> In a message dated 6/6/2010 12:33:18 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
>> dnleeson@-----.net writes:
>>
>> Bill Foss commented on the use of the alto clarinet in concert band. He
>> expressed disappointment that so few works have important alto clarinet
>> parts.
>>
>> Percy Grainger wrote some very special alto clarinet parts in his
>> original
>> compositions for wind band, not the folk song arrangements. I always
>> found
>> them (in the few times that I played these rare works) to be remarkable
>> compositions for winds. I can;'t remember the names of the two works I
>> have
>> in mind but I think that one of them was for 23 winds.
>>
>> Does anyone remember the names of the works I have in mind?
>>
>> Dan Leeson
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "William Foss" <billfoss47@-----.net>
>> To: "The Klarinet Mailing List" <klarinet@-----.com>
>> Sent: Saturday, June 05, 2010 1:19 PM
>> Subject: Re: [kl] Alto Clarinet in Concert band?
>>
>>
>> > My experience is that Concert Band Alto Clarinet parts mostly
>> > duplicate the Alto Sax or 3rd Clarinet parts with little arranger
>> time/
>> > brain power being utilized to use the instrument for its own
>> > (?)values(?).
>> >
>> > I am sure there are other works that have important Alto Clarinet
>> > parts, but the only one I can think of is the transcription of Elgar's
>> > Enigma Variations.
>> >
>> > Bill Foss
>> > U.S. Army Retired
>> > USC Aiken, Retired Woodwind Professor
>> > Director of Bands, Aiken Prep
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > On Jun 5, 2010, at 4:13 PM, Robert MacMillan wrote:
>> >
>> >> I understand that alto clarinets are more useful in a small group
>> >> than in a concert band, because they generally duplicate the alto
>> >> sax parts on concert band charts.
>> >>
>> >> Opinions please.
>> >>
>> >> Rob
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>
>
>
>--
>John Brophy
>16 St Brigid's Road
>Clondalkin
>Dublin 22
>
>+ 353 1 459 2136
>+ 353 87 244 7718
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