Klarinet Archive - Posting 000105.txt from 2003/02

From: "Patricia A. Smith" <patricia@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] C clarinet repertoire
Date: Tue, 4 Feb 2003 11:08:56 -0500

Walter Grabner wrote:

> Allan -
>
> I think you are going to have to be creative here. Almost all published solo and chamber works are for the Bb or A clarinet. However, if you're willing to be adventuresome, you might find some wonderful opportunities.
> Recently I play a woodwind trio gig - with a trio consisting of flute, oboe, clarinet. We had become pretty tired of the familiar repertoire for the goup and were looking for a fresh approach. Our obeo player came up with a group of pieces for two oboes and english horn.
> We wound up playing some of these with the flute playing the first oboe part, the "C" clarinet playing the second oboe part, and of course, our oboe player played english horn. We had a lot of fun, and got good comments.
> Interestingly enough, we tried some of the pieces using the Bb clarinet on the seconf oboe part with me transposing. We did not find the blend anywhere nearly as satisfying. The "C" clarinet really fit more easily with the flute and oboe, at least in that setting.
> Go ahead, be creative! I bet you can find lots of seldom performed music that you can have a ball with!

I agree wholeheartedly. Another possibility - and one I've seen other
clarinetists do with their Bb mostly for upper range development - is to
play flute music. Okay, make sure your doors and windows are closed,
and if you live in an apartment complex, either give notice, or make
sure you put up soundproofing! ;-)

Seriously, though, it can be a great deal of fun, and I know I found
myself really listening in the upper register, and working on different
ways of adjusting the pitch and sound to make it better - such as
learning to relax my embouchure and increase my air and not be afraid of
volume instead of cringe and hide under a rock.

Patricia Smith

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