Klarinet Archive - Posting 000415.txt from 2001/08

From: Daniel Leeson <leeson0@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Ab and C Clarinets
Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2001 12:53:39 -0400

Now here, in Kevin Callahan's note (copied below), is a perfect example
of how fundamental clarinet playing information gets lost over short
periods of time.

The origin of the clarinet family, and what technical and acoustical
characteristics of the clarinet caused the anamoly of multiple pitched
clarinets to happen in the 18th century is one of the most important
elements of the history of the clarinet. And that phenomenon has
enormous consequences to players right up to this day. And yet a young
man who appears to be an up and coming player is completely unaware of
the sequence of events that caused it. That is, because no one
considered it an important part of his music education, he appears to
know nothing about the subject. That is not a criticism of him as much
as it is a crticism of the entire music education system for clarinet
players.

One can argue that it is information that one does not have to know to
be able to play the instrument well, but I would suggest that anyone who
plays the clarinet and knows very little about its history, will never
be master of the instrument.

Kevin, ask your music librarian if she or he has a set of the Mozart
Jahrbuch. Then get a copy of the 1998 volume and read the article
entitled "Mozart's deliberate use of incorrect key signatures for
clarinet." That article will give you a thorough explanation about why
there are so many pitched clarinets.

It is because information of this nature is not even considered to be
part of a young player's musical education, that the vast preponderance
of players wind up ignoring written directions to play certain music on
clarinet in C. Instead they simply transpose it.

It is a subject that we have discussed many times, and the reason why
transposition is almost always done rather than use the clarinet
requested is part of the answer to Kevin's question.

Dan Leeson

Kevin Callahan wrote:
>
> I always see Bb clarinets used, obviously, and usually I see Ebs used too,
> but I've been wondering for some time, just what Ab and C clarinets are used
> for. Were they originally created by a certain composer just to turn the
> music world on its ear? Are they really needed with other instruments
> capapble of playing in the same range? And for that matter, are Ebs really
> all that necessary either?
>
> Kevin Callahan
> Student SFASU
> School of Music
>
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--
***************************
** Dan Leeson **
** leeson0@-----.net **
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