Klarinet Archive - Posting 000316.txt from 2004/01

From: "Karl Krelove" <karlkrelove@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Transposition (Slightly OT)
Date: Sun, 11 Jan 2004 09:47:05 -0500

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Joseph Wakeling [mailto:joseph.wakeling@-----.net]
>
> The "German notation" used to use bass clef (as it's a bass
> instrument) with
> the notes written sounding a major second below what was written.
>
> The "French notation", which dates from a little later, uses the treble
> clef, with the notes sounding a major ninth below what's written (i.e. an
> octave below the normal clarinet).
>

Does anyone have any idea why, of all the wind instruments, recorders never
were treated as transposing instruments? They all are written at concert
pitch. Actually, I suppose the soprano is transposed - it sounds an octave
above its written compass - but a written C still sounds a C. But alto and
bass recorders (and I guess the sopranino - I've never played one) are based
on an F scale, so the fingering for C on a tenor or soprano sounds an F on a
bass or alto (or sopranino?). If players moving among C, Bb, A and F
clarinets didn't like re-naming all the fingerings for each instrument, why
did they not follow the same practice when it came to recorders?

Just something I've always found curious.

Karl

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