Klarinet Archive - Posting 001131.txt from 1998/07

From: Dodgshun family <dodgshun@-----.nz>
Subj: Re: [kl] Mozart and the right clarinet
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1998 01:24:27 -0400

At 11:32 PM 26/07/98 EDT, you wrote:

<snip>
>Now it's in the late Romantic and Contemporary eras when the clarinet was
>improved, so more difficult keys weren't a big deal, and the instrument was
>chosen for it's sound. (Like using Eb and Bb and perhaps C for different
>sounds.) But even my teacher feels that even today, A and Bb are basically
>the same. Sure, there are tonal differences, but they are so slight that you
>have to be an expert to really notice a difference, and it's not a difference
>that would make you cringe. Sometimes playing an A clarinet makes for a
>simpler key to play in, less accidentals to worry about, and less alternate
>fingerings to rely on. And less headaches!
>Now, I'll stress that what I have mentioned is the opinion I have formed based
>on the opinions of my teacher. Does anyone else feel the same way I do?

I used to, but now I've changed my mind. My teacher is big on playing
things on the right instrument wherever possible (and I've now taken her
view on board), but sometimes there is a limit. Like the Symphonie
Fantastique - C clarinets over here are not common at all, so we all
transpose. And what about bass clarinet? I notice this hasn't been
mentioned yet in this debate. We played Dvorak's "The Noon Witch" earlier
this year. I looked at the b-cl part and read "Bass clarinet in A".
#%^#@-----. I'm not a huge fan of transposition, and it
meant that this piece would be in a nasty key. But there was no way I was
EVER going to be able to find an A bass clarinet in NZ without going to
enormous expense and trouble. Frankly, transposing it was a much better
option. If I had been able to get my hands on an A bass, I would have used
it, but I couldn't.
Incidentally, bass playing is something I'm doing a lot more of recently.
I'm just about to take out a loan to buy a second-hand LeBlanc bass, down to
bottom C, which I fervently hope will be a good investment, because I can't
really afford it, but I can't afford not to have it! The bass I have at the
moment is an awful old Bundy (not mine - I wouldn't dare own up to owning a
Bundy!) and I'm sick of it. This LeBlanc is a lovely instrument (I've
borrowed it before!), been really well looked after and in great condition.
I'm looking at about $2100 US for it - what sort of price is that? It's
about 4 or 5 years old, not had huge use, and with a crystal mouthpiece (not
sure what type) as well as the original one. I don't know what model the
instrument is though. Any thoughts much appreciated!

Sorry about the length, but I couldn't really shorten it!

Anna

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