Klarinet Archive - Posting 000462.txt from 2005/05

From: willy kostucki <wk@-----.be>
Subj: [kl] Bb versus C Clarinet?
Date: Tue, 31 May 2005 20:19:06 -0400

QUESTION TO THE PANEL OF EXPERTS.

Hello,
Can someone explain to me the real "advantages" of the Bb compared to
the C clarinet?
Some questions:
-Historically spoken is the Bb anterior or posterior to the C? Do we
need to consider the Bb an evolution or an improvement of the C?
-The C clarinet allows one to play the "real" notes and not notes
that are one whole tone of difference with the non-transposing
instruments. Isn't this an "advantage"?
-Is the fingering system easier on a Bb than on a C for the usual
scales in west music?
-Why do so few clarinetists play on Bb (beside the fact most of the
classical pieces are writen for Bb).
-Is the C clarinet more likely to be out of tune than a Bb because of
construction differences (smaller)?
-Why is most classical music writen for Bb and not for C?
-Who buy today a C clarinet and for what purpose?
-Other comments welcome.

Thanks forwards,
WILLY.

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