Klarinet Archive - Posting 000239.txt from 2000/03

From: jordheimco@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] A Clarinet - hymn transpostion
Date: Wed, 8 Mar 2000 11:01:25 -0500

On Mon, 6 Mar 2000 22:22:08 -0800 "BHunter" <bhunter@-----.com> writes:
>
> >> complain about the number of sharps some of the hymns transpose
> into.
>
> Kristin jordheimco@-----.com writes:
> >How about the organist transposing down to meet you ??
>
> I would appreciate someone taking the time to explain this situation
> to me. Why is it that the person who has to read/play 3 lines with
> two clefs, with possibly 3 key signatures, and maybe 3 time
> signatures and up to five notes with each hand (plus feet), is
> expected to transpose, sometimes sight-transposing for people
> reading/playing one line, one clef, one time signature, one key
> signature, and one note?

Kristin here again - Playing 3 staves isn't any more difficult to me than
playing clarinet scores. I don't read individual notes. I see the music
in shapes and patterns, chords, scale passages and such. Reading two
cleffs is a natural to the trained musician. I wouldn't have suggested
transposition without being able to do it myself. It is a requirement
for AGO certification (American Guild of Organisits) - and I'm not quite
at the profficiency level where I can take that exam.
>
> I understand about instrument ranges, and possible fingering
> difficulties, but this seems to be an automatic reaction as soon as
> a transposing instrument gets involved.

Church organists are working in a paid position. The instrumentalist is
often a volunteer from the congregation. I would rarther do my job well
and make the musical offering simpler for the instrumentalist by not
scaring her with 5 sharps!

For the practicallity of the sitiuation:

Most hymns transpose easily for Bb clarinet. Written C transposes to D
with only 2 sharps, Eb to F etc. The most difficult keys are written A,E
and B, which result in B, F#and C# (5, 6 and 7 sharps) on a Bb Clarinet.
However - - these are most easily transposed down a half step on the
keyboard because the notes are read as the same letter name, but with
4, 3 and 2 flats - now Ab, Eb and Bb. Really - a pianist who has never
done this should be encouraged to try - piece of cake! OK, now the
clarinet is playing in Bb, F or C - did that just get easier??? No more
7 sharps and all the keyboard had to do was ignore those 5 sharps and
think one flat. Go fix those few accidentals down a half step and you're
fine. Keep playing!!

PS - pls tell the keyboardists that his goes for the trumpet, too :)

Have a fat Tuesday!
Kristin
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