Klarinet Archive - Posting 001077.txt from 1997/09

From: Virginia Scarfino <scarfinv@-----.net>
Subj: RE: Eb clarinets/cornets in band
Date: Tue, 23 Sep 1997 22:37:42 -0400

Well, I play Eb Clarinet in Wellington Winds, a semi-pro wind
ensemble based in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario. As a result I
may be a little prejudiced in my response. :)

There are lots of times when Eb doubles flutes or pics or 1st
clarinets, but there are also lots of situations where it has a
part in its own right. Our conductor would never dream of
dropping the Eb part, and will in fact add a 2nd player every
now and then to ensure split parts can be covered.

I started Eb on an old instrument provided by the Waterloo band
many years ago. I had to fight with it, but I managed to play
it in tune with every one else. I then got my own horn (a
wonderful little Buffet R-13), and seldom have to fight to play
in tune. When I have to play in unison with the flutes and
piccolo, a little listening on my part and theirs seems to be
all that is required.

I use a closed mouthpiece (because that's what I use on my Bb),
and regular Vandoren (not the V12's) Bb Clarinet reeds with the
bottoms hacked off - strength 4.

My personal opinion is that you have to have a good ear to play
Eb - you have to be able to pitch a note mentally before you
play it. When I'm tired, and not listening for intonation as
well as I should be, my tendency would be to play "flat below,
and sharp on top", opposite from what you mentioned!

So I guess my long-winded opinion is yes, those tendencies can
be overcome, and please keep plugging the Eb!

P.S. I think learning to play Eb well has made my Bb playing
even better, with one exception. My teacher keeps telling me I
need to expand my dynamic range (the forte end of it) on Bb -
the soft end is fine. I think I don't play as forte as I could,
because I'm used to playing my Eb only loud enough to make it
speak comfortably. And that is usually quite loud enough -
wouldn't want to drown out trumpets or anything. Once in a
while I get to let loose on Eb, and that's a real hoot! (We've
done a wind ensemble arrangement of Til Eulenspiegel!)
-----Original Message-----
From: peter.stoll@-----.ca]
Subject: Re: Eb clarinets/cornets in band

Actually, being a Herbert L.Clarke fan (great cornet soloist of
Sousa's
Band, led a band in Huntsville, Ontario, Canada!), I just found
and
photocopied an article from the Instrumentalist magazine back in
1972
arguing for the continuance of the cornet, both as a learning
instrument
and in the band; I love it's mellow sound.

I really wonder about Eb; should it be left out in favour of
piccolo, kept
in but take down the high unison stuff when picc's up there, or
is it
possible to play the high A (an octave above the one above the
staff!) a
student just showed me as an option in Copland's "Outdoor
Overture"?

When I adjudicate music festivals, I've always put in a plug for
the Eb,
believing that with a proper mpc.and hard enough reeds, the
"sharp below,
flat on top" phenomenon can be overcome. Any opinions?

Peter Stoll
Instructor of Clarinet and Chamber Music
University of Toronto