Klarinet Archive - Posting 000788.txt from 2002/07

From: @-----.uk>
Subj: Re: [kl] Conservative Clarinet Ranges: Well?
Date: Fri, 26 Jul 2002 03:41:19 -0400

Hi!

> No one will confirm if these Ranges are OK
> for Most Players. (*pout!*) Please advise.
I have to admit I assumed lots of replies would come your way, but since they
haven't, my humble submission:-

I play in a "military-style" band and have done lots of classical music and the
common used ranges differ quite a bit.

> 1 E-Flat Sopranino Clarinet:
> Small E (below Middle C)
> to F3 (3 ledger lines above the Treble Clef).
Fine, although in band a further tone upwards is not unusual. I've seen an Ab
written once and it was very painful!

> 2 B-Flat Soprano Clarinets:
> Small E (below Middle C)
> to F3 (3 ledger lines above the Treble Clef).
Here the comon range almost certainly includes the extra tone at the top to G
it is absolutely standard in the band. More modern classical music will
sometimes go higher right up to C4, but the G is the usual maximum.

> 1 E-Flat Alto Clarinet:
> Small E (below Middle C)
> to C3 (2 ledger lines above the Treble Clef).
Can't really comment as I've very rarely played one of these!

> 1 B-Flat Bass Clarinet:
> Small E (below Middle C)
> to D3 (2 ledger lines above the Treble Clef).
Accepted range usually includes the Eb below Middle C (to cover the Bass in A'
E). In my experience C3 is the top, but I have seen D. It is easily possible
to play right up to Eb4 (I have seen this in a modern concerto, which I
personally think is ridiculous!).

> 1 B-Flat Contra Bass Clarinet:
> Small E (below Middle C)
> to C3 (2 ledger lines above the Treble Clef).
Again I have no experience of this, but the range would seem sensible (see
comments on Bb Bass).

I would find it a bit strange to write nearly as high as the possible range on
the Bass and Contrabass because it would be more sensible to write for a higher
pitched instrument (yes I know the sound IS different, but ...)

Well, that's my thoughts. Maybe that will spur on the more experienced pros
out there to give more views.

Roger Hewitt

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