Klarinet Archive - Posting 000096.txt from 1994/03

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Roger Shilcock's very good question
Date: Mon, 7 Mar 1994 22:19:49 -0500

Roger Shilcock ask why I switch bass clarinets rather than transpose
(with the attendant problem of having two b.c. mouthpieces).

Good question, Roger. I transposed for years and years. I simply
wanted to buy something for my 60th birthday and a b.c. in A was my
ultimate choice and probably the last instrument that I will ever
buy. And would you believe that I use the A for B-flat parts even
more than for A parts. Strange, but true. I use it for Daphnis and
for the On The Trail Solo from Grofe Grand Canyon Suite, and, oh yes,
the last measures of Mahler 4. Those are all B-flat parts but more
easily played on the A bass.

I must admit that Wagner operas are a lot easier with an A bass, but
I always hated the A bass cleff transposition.

====================================
Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
(leeson@-----.edu)
====================================

   
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