Klarinet Archive - Posting 000286.txt from 1997/09

From: Jim Lytthans <lytthans@-----.net>
Subj: Clefs and clarinets
Date: Sat, 6 Sep 1997 20:57:13 -0400

Bert Six commented:
> The reason why other clarinets (alto, A,...) are not in another clef is
> probably because of the lazyness of clarinetists, as someone said before.

Really, the clarinet family (as well as the sax and flute families),
were designed so the players could switch from one size to another
without going through a long learning curve (thank God!) And, of
course, we are somewhat lazy! Brass players don't have that luxury.
When tubists use a C or Eb tuba, they must use a new set if fingerings.
Most trumpeters in orchestras use C trumpets, and transpose like mad, as
do French horn players.

Regarding alto clef: I spent many hours playing viola parts on the
clarinet in my high school string orchestra, reading the music in bass
clef on the Bb (3rd-line C became D in bass clef). Great fun!

Bert,

Say hello to your dad. We will be in Ostende in 1999!
--

Jim Lytthans "Primo Arundo Donax!"
La Mirada Symphony Orchestra
Claremont Symphonic Winds
(http://www.galcit.caltech.edu/~dooley/csw.html)
My home page:
http://home.pacbell.net/lytthans/index.html

   
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