Klarinet Archive - Posting 000185.txt from 2006/05

From: Martin Baxter <martinbaxter@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Clarinet Quartets, music for, sources of
Date: Fri, 26 May 2006 17:09:40 -0400

I find that the easiest way to read/transpose viola parts is to play
on the Bflat, add 2 sharps, and read the part as bass clef. Although
the alto clarinet allows you to play the violas low C it is a more
difficult transposition. For second violin parts the C clarinet is
ideal,
Martin
On 26 May 2006, at 19:07, Thiel, Mark wrote:

> I thought that I would share some resources for clarinet quartet music
> that some may not be aware of.
>
> First is www.cacophonix.com which mostly arranges for string
> quartet,
> but at my instigation has transcribed some of their arrangements for
> clarinet quartet and are supposed to be working on some more. They
> are
> also open to suggestions for new arrangements and new
> transcriptions of
> what they have. They have a lot of songs that are frequent
> requests if
> you happen to be on the wedding / funeral / gallery opening / bar/bat
> mitvah circuit
>
> Another source of mostly string quartet music is www.latham-music.com
> . They have a few pieces which include an optional 3rd violin for
> viola
> (search for "optional" in their quartet section). My quartet has
> their
> complete Handel Water Music which works pretty well on 3 Bb &
> bass. Of
> course the bass needs to read bass clef and fake something if it goes
> into tenor clef.
>
> Also (if you're into this sort of thing), www.virtualsheetmusic.com
> similarly has a wedding album for string quartet with a treble clef
> 3rd
> part. I haven't tried this one.
>
> Of course the whole world of string quartet music is out there ripe
> for
> pillaging by clarinet quartets. If you agree to take a piece down a
> step, the first and second fiddle and 'cello parts can be read
> directly;
> the problem of course is the viola part. (Side note: My quartet has
> often told our 3rd player that with a little effort his bar pickup
> line
> of: "Hey good-looking -- whatcha drinking there? -- I play in a
> Band -
> and I play ALTO CLARINET" (which causes some amount of confusion)
> can be
> revised to: "Hey good-looking -- whatcha drinking there? -- I
> play in
> a Band - I play ALTO CLARINET --- AND I CAN TRANSPOSE ON SIGHT FROM
> _VIOLA_ _CLEF_!!" (which I'm sure would end any hesitation on the part
> of the addressee).) So lacking the skill or will to develop the
> skill
> to make this transposition one can scan the viola score into music
> software (if only ^%&#@ Photoscore would learn to recognize C clefs
> instead of translating them into random garbage) and produce an alto
> clarinet or basset horn part. Then you just need to deal with
> pizzicato, multiple stops and occasional squeaky-high first fiddle
> parts.
>
> I expect that this message will prompt the usual replies that
> inability
> to transpose is a sign of gross moral turpitude. Well maybe we
> _can_ do
> these transpositions but just happen to make fewer mistakes if we
> don't
> have to. Some of us need all the help we can get.
>
> Mark Thiel
>
>
>
>
>
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