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Klarinet Archive - Posting 000041.txt from 1994/07

From: Jeff Bowles <jab@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: the issue of clarinet substitution
Date: Sat, 2 Jul 1994 11:33:00 -0400

``This is a simple question of who knew better the character of the
sound they want to hear: the clarinet player in the orchestra or the
composer who wrote for that orchestra?''

Okay, I'll get off my soapbox first, then start writing.

Assuming that the composer knows the instrument family well
(and isn't just picking the instrument in question for
novelty), probably the composer. But it's not that easy.

I read in this mailing list that the "C" clarinet *sounds*
different from a B-flat clarinet, and have a friend who says
that the "A" clarinet *sounds* different from a B-flat. In
neither case are the people referring to the obvious "throat
tone" pitches (first-space F to middle-line B-flat), I assume.
If we're to believe this interpretation, then there *is* a
difference and you should *know* that difference before making
changes in instrumentation.

My contralto has the sweetest cello-like tone in its clarion
register, and to play the same notes in a B-flat's chamaleau
register wouldn't get the same ... effect.

I'll now get on the soapbox.

I'd say that, like a cookie recipe, you don't make changes
until you know what the original product was. Then improvise
with what ingredients you have.

Jeff Bowles