Klarinet Archive - Posting 000248.txt from 2000/03

From: "BHunter" <bhunter@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] A Clarinet - hymn transpostion
Date: Wed, 8 Mar 2000 11:01:34 -0500

>On Mon, 6 Mar 2000 22:22:08 -0800 "BHunter" <bhunter@-----.com> =
writes:
>>=20
>> >> complain about the number of sharps some of the hymns transpose=20
>> into.=20
>>=20
>> Kristin jordheimco@-----.com writes:
>> >How about the organist transposing down to meet you ??
>>=20
>> I would appreciate someone taking the time to explain this situation=20
>> to me. Why is it that the person who has to read/play 3 lines with=20
>> two clefs, with possibly 3 key signatures, and maybe 3 time=20
>> signatures and up to five notes with each hand (plus feet), is=20
>> expected to transpose, sometimes sight-transposing for people=20
>> reading/playing one line, one clef, one time signature, one key=20
>> 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
>clefs 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 Organists) - and I'm not quite
>at the proficiency level where I can take that exam.
>>=20
>> I understand about instrument ranges, and possible fingering=20
>> difficulties, but this seems to be an automatic reaction as soon as=20
>> a transposing instrument gets involved.
>
>Church organists are working in a paid position. The instrumentalist =
is
>often a volunteer from the congregation. I would rather do my job well
>and make the musical offering simpler for the instrumentalist by not
>scaring her with 5 sharps!
>
>=20
>For the practicality of the situation:
>
>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.=20
>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=20
>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

Kristin,
Thank you for your explanation of why *you* do it in your specific =
situation. It certainly makes perfect sense in that situation, and after =
all, the idea is to get the music out.

Bruce

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