Klarinet Archive - Posting 000248.txt from 1998/10

From: John Dablin <johnd@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] simple question
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 1998 05:01:26 -0400

> It's a Bb, but it goes down to low Eb.

I'm working from memory here because I'm not at home, but in
"Orchestration" by Walter Piston, a book I usually find authoritative
about orchestral instruments and which was published ca. 1960, he states
that some players use a B flat clarinet with an extension to low E flat
to play all parts, transposing A clarinet parts as necessary. I think
he said that purists might not consider such a clarinet a true B flat
instrument. He wasn't confused with bass clarinets, because he said
that the bass was always made with the low E flat, as no one had ever
seen a bass clarinet in A.

Since then I've never actually heard of anyone really doing this, but
then I've never moved in professional orchestral circles. If it was a
trend it seems to have died out. Have any of the professionals on the
list ever encountered this?
--
John Dablin
Aylesbury UK

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