Klarinet Archive - Posting 000420.txt from 2001/08

From: "Kevin Callahan" <kionon@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Ab and C Clarinets
Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2001 22:11:14 -0400

----- Original Message -----
From: "Daniel Leeson" <leeson0@-----.net>
Subject: Re: [kl] Ab and C Clarinets

> 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.

I'm afraid my band director (as mentioned in another one of my posts) is as
much to blame personally as is the education system that created us both.
And, as I was never taught, I do care enough about the instrument to go and
find out. In reference to my other post, I would never do this for the
trombone. I do not care that much about it.

> 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.

I would agree. Which, again, is why I ask. Even through camps, clinics, and
seminars that I attended and paid for of my own free will, I had not ever
been given an answer to this question, and I'm sure my high school director
would never have willingly replied.

> 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.

I'm printing out your email so I'll know exactly what to ask for.

> 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.

I'll take note of this, and if I cannot find a C clarinet in property of my
college, when and if I need it, I will attempt to find one that will not
kill my already dwindling supply of cash.

> 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

Thank you, Dan. It's a sad thing when information critical to my education
comes not from an educator I'm formally enrolled under, but must be sought
out by myself in other areas.

Kevin Callahan
Student SFASU
School of Music

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