Klarinet Archive - Posting 000041.txt from 1998/03

From: Roger Shilcock <roger.shilcock@-----.uk>
Subj: Re: Clarinet as a Tuning Instrument
Date: Mon, 2 Mar 1998 08:36:43 -0500

Tubas and the like in British brass bands DO get "special treatment". Or,
at leat, traditionally they have done. Whether this still holds good, I
don't know.
RJS

On Sat, 28 Feb 1998, Roger Garrett wrote:

> Date: Sat, 28 Feb 1998 23:31:31 -0600 (CST)
> From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
> Reply-To: klarinet@-----.us
> To: klarinet@-----.us
> Subject: Re: Clarinet as a Tuning Instrument
>
> > The problem is that the assumption in the first paragraph above is
> > incorrect. A trumpet is called a trumpet in Bb because when it plays its
> > written C, it sounds Bb. A trumpet, French horn or saxophone is in Eb if
> > when it plays its written C, it sounds Eb, etc. It actually has little to
> > do in this instance with the overtone series. The trumpet cannot sound
> > the lowest note, or fundamental, of its overtone series without playing a
> > pedal tone. That's because of the relationship between the diameter and
> > the length of its tubing.
> >
> > The rule which simplifies all questions having to do with transposition
> > is, "An instrument playing its written C sounds its key name."
>
> I'm glad you responded Ed.
>
> Why did the Trumpet receive special treatment and the tuba did not?
>
> Is the trumpet the only member of the brass family to "break the rule"?
>
> In other words.....why not call it a C for trumpet also? Same horn except
> for the octave......
>
> These are not my questions by the way.....just passing them on!
>
> Roger Garrett
> IWU
>
>