 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: wjk
Date: 2005-05-09 15:34
Has the A clarinet been used in jazz? Will its use facilitate playing with guitar/bass/ piano?
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Author: ron b
Date: 2005-05-09 16:56
There was a thread not too long ago on a similar topic, wjk, I believe regarding Ragtime. The A clarinet has, and still is, used in ragtime combos. It often makes it much easier to play some numbers with guitar which otherwise would put the clarinet in the more difficult (many sharps or flats) keys. Some clarinetists who enjoy playing country-western find the A clarinet a very handy asset.
In any improvisational style of playing, you'll find that just about any and all combinations of instruments you can imagine has been tried -- and more than likely is being played... right now... as we speak 
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: DougR
Date: 2005-05-10 03:28
wjk, the answer to your question is yes--it WILL.
Dan Higgins (one of the 1st call reed doublers on the W. Coast) often takes an A clarinet to sessions, just in case the session is arranged by a rock guitarist comfortable in the sharp keys, who needs some improvised clarinet somewhere in the mix.
This may be taking "forearmed is forewarned" to a fairly rigorous degree, and Higgins could undoubtedly play a mean F# blues, but he prefers to do that kind of stuff on the A in more comfortable keys.
Your question "HAS it been used in jazz?" ... I'm stumped. I have no idea.
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Author: allencole
Date: 2005-05-10 06:25
I've wondered if it might be used in some Eddie Daniels things.
Allen Cole
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Author: ned
Date: 2005-05-10 07:13
The A clarinet would be useful when playing with rhythm players who don't, won't or can't play in the so-called jazz keys of Ab, Bb, Db, Eb, F......etc.
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Author: FrankM
Date: 2005-05-10 13:55
I sort of interesting that classical players will argue that the A clarinet is used for it's sound as much as for playing in sharp keys. These threads seem to only address the key issue...maybe the "mellow" sound of an A clarinet would be great on ballads !
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Author: allencole
Date: 2005-05-11 07:09
I've used the A clarinet to play Faded Love and Tumbling Tumbleweeds with sharp-keyed rhythm players. And you're right, I do enjoy that extra little bit of body in the sound. I also like the roundness of its sound in the high register. A nice blending instrument.
Allen Cole
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Author: music_is_life
Date: 2005-05-11 12:29
do people actually use C clarinets for klezmer or anything? I have never actually seen one for sale in a music store. just a random thought. It seems like it would make things easier... I personally think transposing from A to Bb is easier than C to Bb. *shrug*
-Lindsie
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Author: allencole
Date: 2005-05-12 09:35
The folks on the other BB could probably answer that question best, but I imagine that you'll find both C and D clarinets in a number of Klezmer things.
Allen Cole
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