Klarinet Archive - Posting 000137.txt from 2008/05
From: "Daniel Leeson" <dnleeson@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] Bass in A
Date: Wed, 21 May 2008 21:33:28 -0400
Rien, it is incorrect to assert that for all pro players, all keys are of
equal ease. As the number of sharps rises, so do the fingering complexities
related to the notes b-natural to e-natural because there is a left-right or
right-left order that has to be preserved. For example, the order in which
the notes are played sometimes offers no alternatives. For example (and I am
talking about a Boehm system instrument), the notes b-natural, c-sharp, and
d-sharp when executed sequentially require a player to establish which of
the two b-naturals s/he is going to use, the one in the left hand or the one
in the right. And having made the decision, the next note (c-sharp) forces
the fingering to fall in the pinky of the other hand. And now danger arises.
If the b-natural that began the sequence was executed in the left hand, and
the c-sharp in the right hand, then the d-sharp presents a problem for any
player who does not have a d-shapr/e-flat key on both sides of the
instrument.
Now all of this happens in the blink of an eye, and this type of analysis
becomes almost automatic. But don't kid yourself and think that such
fingering issues are trivial.
So after missing the sequence a couple of times, the player becomes
accustomed to the problem of which hand to begin a sequence when a b-natural
in going to be part of the music. And then, suddenely, new music is
introduced in which that sequence happens not to work.
That problem never occurs in the keys of C, F, and G; that is, there is
rarely a cross fingering problem when going over the break in the simpler
keys. But as the number of sharps occur, the cross fingering problems over
the break become more complex. Different people have different reaction
times and things like that have the ability to create difficulties.
The problems get worse with bass clarinet because it is bigger and, in my
opinion, clumsier. And for basset horns, the problem is very severe because
the number of left/right touchpieces increases, and their placement may not
be as familiar as on the clarinet or bass clarinet.
So I'm not going answer your specific question of, "What's the problem with
me." It presumes that your execution is so grand that these problems don't
affect you. But for lesser mortals like me and perhaps a few others, those
issues make playing in the keys of A, B, C-sharp, and E awkward.
Dan Leeson
-----Original Message-----
From: Rien Stein [mailto:rstein@-----.nl]
Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 5:17 PM
To: klarinet
Subject: RE: [kl] Bass in A
Dan Leeson wrote:
<<
The Mahler symphonies often require both B-flat and A bass, with one of =
the symphonies having a singer for the last movement. In that movement =
the bass
in A is called upon to play in a very awkward key signature, I think =
something like 5 sharps
>>
Maybe I have a somewhat simplistic mind, but I have always thought the =
number of sharps and flats should never pose a problem to pro players! =
And even to an amateur like me five sharps, the key of B-major, is well =
playably. I played the "Rhapsody on Dutch folksongs" by Geza Frid with =
a professional piano player.The tonality varies between five sharps (B =
major) and six flats (g-flat major), and she said, when she saw the =
piece the first time (my six flats were eight for her!): "I should not =
be a pro if these tonalities were a problem to me." (But she was absolutely
not apt to able tp transpose a semi- or full tone, what I think is
fundamental to any clarinet player playing in an orchestra!
Thus, Dan, what's the problem with you?
BTW I used to consider myself a very mediocre player. Four years ago I =
discovered I was better than average. There were a couple of reasons to =
revise my selfesteem, one of them being precisely this rhapsody. It took =
me nearly twenty years to master this piece completey, but of course I =
did make some progress in these twenty years.
And with Dan I completely agree that there definitely is a difference in =
the sound of A- and B-flat instrument. But as an amateur I cannot afford to
buy the full range of instruments, and even played horn parts, both in E
flat and F on my B-flat instrument
Sorry, Dan but that 's the way it is!
Rien!
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