 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2011-02-13 23:07
Do you think that a very soft entrance with a decending triad, dolcissimo, starting on a high F#, would be hard to pull off?
What there were a half dozen more of these?
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2011-02-13 23:18
how high and what notes in the triad? and how fast?
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2011-02-13 23:22
Hmmmm,
Difficulty is related to speed and finger coordination as much as reed/mouthpiece considerations. I don't think you'd have too much trouble with this (I am assuming a Bmaj triad starting on the fifth?).
At any rate, it is funny that you should bring up response. This has been my big, most recent "break through" via the use of a VERY LOOSE ligature setting. That is, only apply just a slight torque to the screw (or screws) so that you can still nudge the reed back and forth with some ease. This allows MUCH greater response from the reed in attacks in all registers and smooths out larger intervals. Thus, I would recommend this with your mystery passage.
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2011-02-14 00:44
A friend working on an orchestratation asked me this, and I would like to get a consensus.
Starts one octave above top-line F#, as written, for Bb clarinet. Letts call the notes descending F# (8th note), C# (8th note), A# (quarter note), quarter rest, then repeat.
quarter note == 88MM
Softly, behind singers.
Can he give this to a clarinet? Or should he give it to a flute?
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Author: davyd
Date: 2011-02-14 00:53
If the composer really wants it pianissimo, flute would be a better choice in that register.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2011-02-14 02:39
Shouldn't be too bad for clarinet. I'm thinking (initially) long F# would be easier to sneak in softly and be better in tune, making for a fairly easy transition to C#, and the A# however you feel comfortable (I'd probably use 1 and 1 to keep it soft and minimize right hand movement throughout if it's in tune.)
But would probably sound better behind singers if it were a flute. Cause I would probably think a clarinetist would try to play with a "flute-like" quality for this riff anyway. The only problem I would have with a flute playing this, personally, is that 99% of the time I don't like the sound of the flute player. Just that instrument isn't pleasing to my ear. But maybe I just haven't heard the right players.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2011-02-14 02:42
I'd agree. It cane be done, but I think in that range, and for a truly great pianissimo, flute (or even piccolo, written an octave down of course) would be even better.
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2011-02-14 02:50
concertmaster3 wrote:
> I'd agree. It cane be done, but I think in that range, and for
> a truly great pianissimo, flute (or even piccolo, written an
> octave down of course) would be even better.
>
Yeah. But isn't there SOMETHING else other than flute? lol. Just kidding. Yeah, flute would probably be more pleasing to an audience to hear behind singers.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Wes
Date: 2011-02-14 05:48
On the flute, that would be E3, B3, and G#2. One could assume the flutist has a split E which is provided to allow that note to speak easier. Professional players can come in soft in tune on E or other third register notes but lesser players would find it difficult. Many players play high Es too sharp but good players don't.
It is comfortable on the piccolo an octave lower, but many non professional piccolo players also find it difficult to play softly and in tune.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2011-02-14 10:02
Hey guys..........
Is this the FLUTE Board?????
I'm thinking a moment similar to Strauss' Last Four Songs. Clarinet would be lovely. Of course it should be ONE clarinet, and darn good one. I couldn't imagine a full first section of a concert band doing this justice, but come on, clarinet would sound dashing!
................Paul Aviles
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Author: srattle
Date: 2011-02-14 11:18
F# in pianissimo should be no problem for any good clarinetist. I think it is often easier for a clarinet to play its high register quietly than a flute, and definitely a piccolo.
I would say that's it's not the MOST comfortable thing in a clarinetists arsenal, but definitely not that difficult.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2011-02-14 12:17
It depends a lot on what's really needed in terms of pianissimo. Almost any instrument, including the clarinet, sounds louder in its extreme high register than it does in its lower registers, so pp that high is certainly not as soft as it would be in the low chalumeau. Depending on the actual context, this may not make a difference. I assume from Ralph's description the figure would be behind a vocal soloist or solo ensemble, not a chorus. As soft as possible (literally pianissimo) should be acceptably quiet from a clarinet (played by a skilled player) in that setting. If behind a chorus, the player might even need to play louder than pp to be heard.
Karl
Post Edited (2011-02-14 12:43)
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2011-02-14 14:58
You say "behind the singers."
Than means that the clarinet's voice should be audible; so maybe as loud as one of the sopranos in the group --not without support and presence.
Start with breath attack using the long F#:
TR XXO|XXX Eb
Slip to X#
TR OXX |XX0 (No Eb)
Use 1-1 A#
TR XOO | XOO
It works for me
And, while there is a disproportionate number of cuties with flutes, keep the gig for yourself.
Bob Phillips
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2011-02-22 23:17
Attachment: Fragment.JPG (61k)
OK - here is a fragment in concert pitch - how playable is this for 2 clarinets in a sensitive moment?
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Author: normancult
Date: 2011-02-23 00:27
any woodwind can play this passage pp or ppp.
two flute will have less volume than two clarinets in this register.
two oboes would play it as well but because its timber is very penetrating, I would not use in the passage.
a good option maybe is to use the alto flute (in g) or trumpet with mute or even a combination of 2 or more instruments.
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