Klarinet Archive - Posting 000153.txt from 1997/10

From: Roger Shilcock <roger.shilcock@-----.uk>
Subj: Re: Bass Clarinet...clefs...transposition!
Date: Mon, 6 Oct 1997 19:16:12 -0400

Frederick S.:
1] Not really - there are plenty of parts like this written in the 20th
century.
2] True
3] True, I suppose
4] & 5] True
6] Are there any?

Roger SHilcock

On Fri, 3 Oct 1997, Frederick S. Sterns wrote:

> Date: Fri, 3 Oct 1997 11:22:37 -0400
> From: "Frederick S. Sterns" <fssterns@-----.net>
> Reply-To: klarinet@-----.us
> To: klarinet@-----.us
> Subject: Bass Clarinet...clefs...transposition!
>
> Having recently reviewed a sizeable collection of messages on Sneezy I am
> bold enough now to suggest that I may actually *understand* the
> complexities of the notation schemes for bass clarinet and for transposing
> parts in A or C on the Bb instrument. 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.
>
> [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.
>
> [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.
>
> [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.
>
> [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.
>
> 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?]
>
> 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.
>
> Any comments/thoughts/advice will be much appreciated. Fred S.
>
>
>
>
>
>

   
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