Klarinet Archive - Posting 000037.txt from 2001/02

From: Grant Green <gdgreen@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Re: question about recorders
Date: Sat, 3 Feb 2001 09:37:54 -0500

> > Alto recorder is F, however the music for it is not written in F.
> >
>I wasn't certain what this meant. All my experience with recorder music is
>that the music for the F instruments (Bass and Alto) is written in concert
>pitch (bass sounding an octave lower than written). The fingerings are
>similar to the chalumeau register of a clarinet (low note with all fingers
>down is F). In other words, unlike saxes, clarinets and even trumpets, the
>practice of writing as if each instrument is based on a C scale and
>transposing the written music was not adopted for recorders. Recorder
>players learn two different sets of fingerings, one for the F recorders, one
>for the C instruments (soprano and tenor). There's also a "sopranino" which,
>I assume (I've never played one), is pitched in F and sounds an octave
>higher than written.
>
>Karl

As far as I can tell, the modern practice is to write all recorder
music in concert pitch, often with an "8" above or below the treble
or bass clef, as necessary. The alto and bass recorders are "in F"
in the sense that the lowest note they play is an F, but the music is
not transposed. In recorder ensembles, you will sometimes see parts
indicated for either "F" alto or "C" tenor, that can be played on
either instrument - strictly a matter of the part's range. The "F"
sopranino sounds an octave higher than the alto. There is also a
garklein recorder, pitched an octave above the C soprano (aka
descant) - now *that* has closely spaced fingerholes!

Grant

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Grant Green gdgreen@-----.com
ecode:contrabass http://www.contrabass.com
Professional Fool -> http://www.mp3.com/ProFools
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org

   
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org