Klarinet Archive - Posting 000023.txt from 2005/06

From: willy kostucki <wk@-----.be>
Subj: Re: [kl] Bb versus C Clarinet?
Date: Wed, 01 Jun 2005 17:47:42 -0400

Hello Dan,
Thanks for this answer.
If I understood correctly there was an inability (you mean =20
technical?) to play in keys other than C and F. But is this still =20
true today with our modern C clarinets? Is it still easier to play =20
some keys on a Bb versus C?
Thanks forwards,
Willy.
Le 01-juin-05 =E0 04:20, dnleeson a =E9crit :

> Your questions fall into two broad categories. One is historical
> about the evolution of the C and B-flat clarinets, while the
> other questions deal with issues related to quality of instrument
> manufacture. For example you ask if the C is likely to be out of
> tune, and the answer to that question is a function of the
> manufacturer.
>
> The development of the family of clarinets, the C, B-flat, A, and
> others now generally considered obsolete, was due originally to
> the inability of the clarinet to play in keys other than C and F.
> So as long as those keys were used, the C clarinet was fine for
> the job. But if the composer wanted to write in B-flat or
> E-flat, the clarinet change was made to the B-flat clarinet which
> allowed it to continue to play in written C and F, even though
> music was written in other keys. Same thing for the key of A and
> D. The A clarinet was used and it played in written C and F.
> And that's that.
>
> The problem is unique to the clarinet family. No other woodwind
> instrument has this peculiarity.
>
> As for the other questions, C clarinets are made very expertly
> today. Try one.
>
> Dan Leeson
> DNLeeson@-----.net
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: willy kostucki [mailto:wk@-----.be]
> Sent: Tuesday, May 31, 2005 5:18 PM
> To: klarinet@-----.org
> Subject: [kl] Bb versus C Clarinet?
>
>
> 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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