Klarinet Archive - Posting 000110.txt from 2008/03

From: Thomas Carroll <Thomas.Carroll@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Key Signatures for Clarinets
Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2008 20:47:30 -0400

It's not so much difficult as it is more awkward. On a five key
instrument, you'll notice there's no cross key for C#/G#, which means
that a true diatonic scale in the key of D creates the need for a
half/hole/cross fingering for C# if the passage goes down that low.
Likewise, an F# in the clarion register is a cross fingering note and is
therefore not as strong as the rest of the scale. Composers like
Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, etc exploited these weaknesses in the 5-key
horns (the clarion Bb in the second movement of the Mozart Quintet
sounds completely different when played with a key on an early horn than
it does with the cross fingering). In terms of flat keys, I think it
really depends on the keys. Ab would have been a bit harder in fast
passages due to the need to slide in the right hand pinky and the lack
of an Ab side key like on modern horns. Again, the lack of a left hand
Db/Ab key would figure in.

This is why you see so many "early" pieces in F and C (regardless of C,
Bb, or A horns), those were the natural sclaes of the instruments, and
the scales that could be played with five keys.

Of course, there are clever ways to get around some of the problems with
the 5-key horns. Sliding from the C-Eb in the clarion register, as well
as between the two long keys was easy way to get a relatively smooth
connection in more awkward keys (a good example of the need for sliding
is the first clarinet solo in the second movement of the Beethoven
Violin Concerto).

~Thomas

----- Original Message -----
From: Wayne Thompson <wthompson7274@-----.net>
Date: Thursday, March 13, 2008 5:28 pm
Subject: [kl] Key Signatures for Clarinets
To: klarinet@-----.org

> I'm curious to hear from 5 key clarinet players. Is it more
> difficult to play in D than in Bb? I know that I consider flat
> keys easier on my modern clarinet, and I remember flat keys easier
> on the recorder, which is very similar to the 5 key, I think? But
> maybe that is custom and simply the order I learned my scales on
> both instruments.
> Here's a fingering chart for 5 key clarinets, thanks to Anne Bell.
> http://www.anne-bell.woodwind.org/ABCtutor.htm
>
> Wayne
>
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