Klarinet Archive - Posting 000463.txt from 2005/05

From: ormo2ndtoby@-----.net (Ormondtoby Montoya)
Subj: Re: [kl] Bb versus C Clarinet?
Date: Tue, 31 May 2005 21:20:49 -0400

Willy=A0Kostucki wrote:

> Can someone explain to me the real
> "advantages" of the Bb compared to the C
> clarinet?

Probably the most important idea, Willy, is that they are different
instruments with somewhat different sounds. Therefore you should not
be thinking of either instrument as an "improvement" over the other.
They are different instruments.

A few other thoughts:

You will find more music written for clarinet in Bb than in C. The
pitches available on each instrument may dictate your choice because the
composer may have expected you to be able to reach a certain note.

In some situations (or in many situations, depending on the type of
music), other musicians may frown if you play on a clarinet in C when
the composer asked for (say) a Bb or A, even though both instruments can
play all of the notes in the composition. This is because the sound is
a bit different on the two instruments.

A word of warning: some clarinets in C are intended for chidren with
small hands, and they do not have all the keys that a 'normal' clarinet
has. There are also clarinets in C with a complete set of keywork,
however.

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