Klarinet Archive - Posting 000465.txt from 2001/05

From: "Dee D. Hays" <deehays@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] register names
Date: Sun, 20 May 2001 00:27:27 -0400

----- Original Message -----
From: "William Wright" <Bilwright@-----.net>
Subject: Re: [kl] register names

> <><> Ragnhild asked:
> Could someone please provide the names and notes for the different
> registers on the clarinet? thanks!
>
>
>
> I was taught that the names aren't absolutely rigid because of alternate
> fingerings; but in general:
>
> Chalumeau = lowest note through A (2nd space on staff)
>
> Throat = open G through A (2nd space on staff)
>
> [thus chalumeau and throat overlap a bit]

Throat *tones* are not a separate register but are a specific subset of the
chalumeau.

The chalumeau register consists of those notes (including the throat tones)
that are the fundamental harmonic (also called 1st harmonic) of the tube
length as determined by the length of open tube. So the chalumeau is from
the lowest note to the Bb in the middle of the staff. The notes open G
through Bb are sometimes called throat tones. These do tend to have a
noticeably different character due to the very short amount of open tube
used. This is why they are often given the specific identifying tag of
throat tones. As you mention, alternate fingerings can let you sound some
other notes as chalumeau although the normally are not (i.e. trill
fingerings from A to B or Bb to C for example).

The clarion register is the 3rd harmonic (the 2nd harmonic is not accessible
on clarinets). As you stated it begins at the B natural in the middle of
the staff and goes to the C that is two ledger lines above the staff.
Alternate trill fingerings let you also play the C# and D as clarion notes
if needed although the more common fingerings put them in the next register
up.

The altissimo register consists of notes played as the 5th, 7th, 9th, etc
harmonics (note that the even harmonics are not accessble). This normally
starts at C# that is two ledger lines above the staff and goes up. As noted
above, the C# and D can be played with clarion fingerings. It is also
possible, but rare, to play the C just above the staff and even the B above
the staff as altissimo notes. This is useful in playing tremolos such as C
to altissimo E or B to altissimo D.

There are other naming schemes but the three names of chalumeau, clarion,
and altissimo are pretty much standard in classical teaching materials such
as Klose. Classical texts may or may not mention throat tones but when they
do, they are part of the chalumeau but may require some special attention in
getting them to sound good.

Dee Hays
Michigan

---------------------------------------------------------------------
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