Klarinet Archive - Posting 000129.txt from 1997/10

From: Geoff Chadwick <geoff.chadwick@-----.uk>
Subj: Re: Bass Clarinet...clefs...transposition!
Date: Sat, 4 Oct 1997 22:49:53 -0400

The message <l03102800b05c3cf87671@-----.35]>
from "Frederick S. Sterns" <fssterns@-----.net> contains these words:

>May I test my newfound knowledge with
> the group by making a number of statements that can be addressed as "true"
> or "false?"

> [1] Prior to this Century most bass clarinet parts were written in the bass
> clef...and these are to be read in the traditional fashion [the line above
> the staff is C] and the sound in concert key is one half-tone below.

Okay, but watch out for parts WRITTEN in concert! Some are bassoon
parts that are just renamed.

> [2] ...but...for reasons of convenience, often to avoid a stack of ledger
> lines above the staff, some of these parts mentioned above were also
> written in the treble clef...and these should be transposed *up* an octave
> in order to sound a half step below the actual notation.

I play the treble clef as read - like I do for all my clarinets. Note
that the treble clef may have a little figure 8 at the bottom of the
curl. Only thing it means is that the notes are an octave *lower*.
Don't understand your use of the word *up* here.

> [3] Neither of the above "rules" are absolute and it is always desirable
> [necessary?] to examine the score to determine which octave the note is
> actually in...and adjust accordingly.

Beware. The tome colour will change and you might upset the conductor
if you shift an octave (or composer if he is still around). Heck,
what am I saying, I love to drop down an octave when *I* think it
sounds better - especially I now can get to low C!

> [4] To play an A bass clarinet part on a Bb instrument [e.g.,
> Rachmaninoff's Symphony No.2], read the bass clef traditionally but lower
> the notes one-half tone.

Agreed. Agreed also if from the Treble clef. However, I have never
had to do it in anger.

> [5] ...same for any A part written in the treble clef [e.g., Mahler's
> Symphony No. 7]...read the treble clef traditionally but lower the notes a
> half tone.

tick!

> Now we come to bass clarinet parts in C and How to transpose them on the Bb
> instrument?...

> [6]...play the notes a whole tone up [????????? For some reason my mind
> goes out of gear at this point! Can anyone elucidate?]

Correct. If the Bb plays a whole tone lower than you read, the way
to get to play along with any part written in concert is to play a
tone higher than you read. Cancels out the lowering in tone. This is
the easy one. Add two sharps (or take off two flats) to the key
signature. [Gets harder when you want to play the alto or Contra-alto in Eb. ]

> I recognize that all this no doubt is quite basic to most on this list, but
> some of us are making elementary transitions [I, for example, from jazz to
> classical playing!] and need primer advice on many of the fundamentals.

Best wishes. It is fun when you get there. Hey, don't apologize - we
all had to start somewhere. You could probably teach me some jazz techniques!

> Any comments/thoughts/advice will be much appreciated. Fred S.