Klarinet Archive - Posting 000085.txt from 2010/06

From: kurtheisig@-----.net
Subj: Re: [kl] Alto Clarinet in Concert band?
Date: Sat, 05 Jun 2010 18:10:24 -0400


The thing with the alto is the richness it brings to the whole section-IF it has a proper mouthpiece and reed.

Years ago I sat in in a local college/community band to show this to my students. The conductor was shouting over the band, "I forgot how good an alto clarinet sounded!"

The problem is primarily one of ignorance. A good alto clarinet in good adjustment with good mthpc and reed is a marvelous instrument. The Vito plastics for years have been very fine inexpensive horns.

It is shame better parts are often not available, but this is largely the fault of clarinetists that have neglected this wonderful instrument and the tremendous richness it brings to a section.

Kurt

-----Original Message-----
>From: William Foss <billfoss47@-----.net>
>Sent: Jun 5, 2010 4:19 PM
>To: The Klarinet Mailing List <klarinet@-----.com>
>Subject: Re: [kl] Alto Clarinet in Concert band?
>
>My experience is that Concert Band Alto Clarinet parts mostly
>duplicate the Alto Sax or 3rd Clarinet parts with little arranger time/
>brain power being utilized to use the instrument for its own
>(?)values(?).
>
>I am sure there are other works that have important Alto Clarinet
>parts, but the only one I can think of is the transcription of Elgar's
>Enigma Variations.
>
>Bill Foss
>U.S. Army Retired
>USC Aiken, Retired Woodwind Professor
>Director of Bands, Aiken Prep
>
>
>
>
>
>On Jun 5, 2010, at 4:13 PM, Robert MacMillan wrote:
>
>> I understand that alto clarinets are more useful in a small group
>> than in a concert band, because they generally duplicate the alto
>> sax parts on concert band charts.
>>
>> Opinions please.
>>
>> Rob
>> _______________________________________________
>> Klarinet mailing list
>> Klarinet@-----.com
>> http://klarinet-list.serve-music.com
>
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