Klarinet Archive - Posting 000223.txt from 2009/02

From: Michael Nichols <mrn.clarinet@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Brahms quintet
Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2009 01:45:10 -0500

On Tue, Feb 10, 2009 at 6:23 PM, Tony Pay <tony.p@-----.org> wrote:

> Why is that a problem? You only have to play for 4 bars (the pitch
> won't change noticeably in that time), so you organise the pitch of
> the clarinet in advance to take account of the flatness. (Short
> barrel, for example.)

That's true. You could do that. Although if your Bb is warm at the
start of the quintet (because you played some other piece on it) and
then cools down over 20 minutes, then you'd have to figure out how
much to detune it before you start, although that may not be as hard
as it sounds. I've never tried to estimate that sort of thing, so I
don't really know.

Truth is, even if I knew I could get the Bb in tune that way, I'd
probably still be more inclined to stay on the A, anyway, even though
the fingering is clearly easier on the Bb. The reason is that I'd
rather not deal with the distraction of having to switch instruments
right before the climax of the piece. I think that, for me at least,
those four beats are better spent concentrating on the music rather
than on juggling equipment. I think I'm going to make more exciting
and intense sounds if I'm ready to go (physically and mentally) with
my A clarinet than if I'm having to make a quick swap and jump back in
with my Bb. My A and Bb instruments don't sound different enough from
each other to make the switch seem worth the effort, anyway.

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