Klarinet Archive - Posting 000607.txt from 2000/05

From: Jcadie@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Fwd: Re: Wagner bass clarinet
Date: Wed, 10 May 2000 21:41:07 -0400

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Return-path: <Jcadie@-----.com>
From: Jcadie@-----.com
Full-name: Jcadie
Message-ID: <4c.54de907.264b696a@-----.com>
Date: Wed, 10 May 2000 21:39:54 EDT
Subject: Re: Wagner bass clarinet

In a message dated Wed, 10 May 2000 2:20:42 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Thomas William G SPOR <ThomasWG@-----.MIL> writes:

<< Janis,

Regarding bass clarinet parts in Die Walkure:

Bass clef - sounds in the same octave as written. Top space G is the open G
on the bass clarinet and sounds in the same octave (but a step lower) as
that note (written top space G) played on piano.

Treble clef - in everyday bass clarinet parts (American, English, etc. - not
Wagner) second line G is played as open G (as on the soprano clarinets), but
it sounds an octave lower (and a step) than written second line G played on
piano. Thus, the treble clef bass clarinet parts actually are written an
octave higher then they sound (let's forget about the 9ths and 2nds for
now).

But, in the Wagner, Strauss, and some other composer's parts (most (?) of
them where you go back and forth between bass and treble clef) both the
treble clef and the bass clef are written where they actually sound. So,
you have to read the treble clef parts an octave higher than you normally do
- second line G is played as clarion G (left hand plus octave key). This is
usually indicated in the Strauss parts that I have played with a footnote.
However I don't believe I have seen it written out in the Wagner parts but
the logic of the parts seem to follow suite. And sometimes when the part
goes back and forth it is unclear what the composer wants. Good luck with
them.

And then for those messy bass clef in A sections!!! Good luck.

Billy Thomas
bass clarinet w/ Virginia Symphony
>>

Billy,

Thanks for the helpful info! That really answered my question. I have to say I am getting much better at the A transposition. I used to write the parts out but after writing out Rachmaninoff second symphony a few years ago (it took me hours and hours), I thought I should just become better at reading it.

Janis

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