Klarinet Archive - Posting 000541.txt from 1997/05

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: clarinet and trumpet
Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 14:22:41 -0400

Bill,
You're closer than you think to the roots of the clarinet. It used
to be called the "Mock Trumpet" in England. You can see the title page
of that in Brymer's book. It's name comes from the word
"clarionet", referring to the clarion or 'clarino' range of the trumpet.
Originally it was called a chalumeau but once a speaker key was added to
it to make the upper ocataves easier, the brilliant high range made it
obvious that the name 'clarionet' or 'clarinet' made more sense. There is
a fascinating recording by Alan Hacker of early clarinet peices in which
he plays on various chalumeaux and one in particular sounds _exactly_ like
a clarino trumpet (y'know - like in Bach Brandenburg?). Q.E.D

Fred Jacobowitz
Clarinet/Sax Instructor, Peabody Preparatory

On Tue, 20 May 1997, Fogle, Bill wrote:

> While I was playing this weekend, I thought again how when I am playing at
> my best the clarinet most resembles a trumpet. Not the sound, but the
> attack. This is my image for playing. Although any image would serve
> whatever purpose you have in mind, I hear a trumpet when I play. Even at
> pp.
> --Bill F.
> Washington, DC
>