 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jan
Date: 1999-02-21 05:26
Hey all. I just had this question 'bout the Eb. Ok, I'm thinking, when you play the open note on the Eb clarinet (no fingers), it's a C, right? Well, it's the C on the Bb. But is it called open C on the Eb, or is it still called open G? It would be a lot easier for it just to be called G so you don't have to relearn the fingerings associated to each note, right? Please explain to me! Thanks a bunch.
-Jan (I'm new, hehe)
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Author: KImbo
Date: 1999-02-21 08:21
OKay i think this will help your confusion. A when you play a C (just like C on the Bb) on the Eb also known as alto clarinet and a Eb on a concert pitch clarinet like piano or flute it sounds the same. Just like if u play C on a Bb clarient and a Bb on a flute or pianoyou get the same result.The fingering is the same if ur play Eb music. but if u play Concert pitch music you have tio go down 3 half notes so Bb note on a concert intrument becomes a G ( open ) on the Eb.I hope that helps your confusion. I was confused when I started to play alto clarinet
Kimbo
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Author: Dee
Date: 1999-02-21 13:29
No fingers down is called open G on all clarinets. And it is for the very reason that you suggest. So that you DON'T have to learn different names for the same fingerings. The names of the instruments come from the concert pitch that you get when you finger what is called C. Let's use middle C which is one ledger line below the treble staff and is fingered left hand thumb and three fingers. When you do this the Bb clarinet plays the concert Bb one step lower, the Eb soprano plays the Eb that is a minor third higher (i.e.) the bottom line of the treble clef. Alto clarinets and alto saxes play the Eb that is below the concert C.
There are many transposing instruments such as the clarinet. Standard trumpets and cornets are in Bb. English horns are in F. Orchestras may sometimes use an alto flute in G. French horns may be in F and/or Bb and so on.
The clarinet family is available in several pitches. The commonest are Eb soprano, Bb soprano (the 'normal' band clarinet), A soprano, Eb alto, and Bb bass. There are several other sizes available but they are much less common. The clarinet has been made in over 30 different sizes although most are now obsolete.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-02-21 13:31
All clarinets use the same names & notation for the music, no matter what pitch they sound. We have what are called "transposing" instruments, meaning, in essence, that the instrument "transposes" what's written into another key.
<br>
<br>An open G is an open G is an open G on our clarinets - but the pitch it makes varies depending on the type of clarinet. Using C as an example (becuse it's easier :^)
<br>--------
<br><PRE>
<br>Clarinet Fingering Concert (matches a piano)
<br>
<br>Eb Soprano C Eb
<br>Bb Soprano C Bb
<br>A Soprano C A
<br></pre>
<br>etc.
<br>-------
<br>Easier than you thought, right? Now, that means to be in tune with violins & flutes and such our printed <I><B>music</I></B> needs to be transposed to what's right for us. That's the composer's, arranger's, or copyist's job. It ends up written in a different key. We just read it & play.
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Author: Daniel
Date: 1999-02-22 03:04
Mark Charette wrote:
-------------------------------
Now, that means to be in tune with violins & flutes and such our printed <I><B>music</I></B> needs to be transposed to what's right for us. That's the composer's, arranger's, or copyist's job. It ends up written in a different key. We just read it & play.
Unless of course the composer wrote a piece in C clarinet. The the transposition becomes our job. Or bass clarinet in A. Or the even more rare D clarinet as in Til Eulenspiegel, and The Rite of Spring
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-02-22 11:43
Daniel wrote:
-------------------------------
Mark Charette wrote:
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Now, that means to be in tune with violins & flutes and or copyist's job. It ends up written in a different key. We just read it & play.
such our printed <I><B>music</I></B> needs to be transposed to what's right for us. That's the composer's, arranger's,
Unless of course the composer wrote a piece in C clarinet. The the transposition becomes our job. Or bass clarinet in A. Or the even more rare D clarinet as in Til Eulenspiegel, and The Rite of Spring
-------
Or you beg or borrow the correct clarinet for the part - the preferable method, since the tone colors are different between the clarinets and the composer may have wanted it to sound a particular way.
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Author: Daniel
Date: 1999-02-22 23:56
Mark Charette wrote:
-------------------------------Or you beg or borrow the correct clarinet for the part - the preferable method, since the tone colors are different between the clarinets and the composer may have wanted it to sound a particular way.
Unfortunately, not many people own C or D clarinets. And unless one is just swimming in money, can't justify spending $4000 or more for a clarinet that will be used on such rare occaisions.
Besides, most college professors insist students learn transposing C to Bb for that reason.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-02-23 00:24
Daniel wrote:
-------------------------------
Mark Charette wrote:
Or you beg or borrow the correct clarinet for the part
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Unfortunately, not many people own C or D clarinets. And unless one is just swimming in money, can't justify spending $4000 or more for a clarinet that will be used on such rare occaisions.
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Which is why I said beg, borrow, - or rent. I have a thing against transposition of parts written for a different key unless absolutely necessary. If I owned a C or D or Ab you can be sure I'd be renting them out to the local orchestras.
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Author: Dee
Date: 1999-02-23 00:34
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Which is why I said beg, borrow, - or rent. I have a thing against transposition of parts written for a different key unless absolutely necessary. If I owned a C or D or Ab you can be sure I'd be renting them out to the local orchestras.
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I'm not sure whose comment this is (I've gotten confused on the quotes of quotes) however just try renting a C, D, or Ab. The music stores that I have dealt with DON'T carry them for sale or rent. You have to special order to get them and that means you buy them.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-02-23 00:54
I wrote
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Which is why I said beg, borrow, - or rent. I have a thing against transposition of parts written for a different key unless absolutely necessary. If I owned a C or D or Ab you can be sure I'd be renting them out to the local orchestras.
and Dee wrote:
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I'm not sure whose comment this is (I've gotten confused on the quotes of quotes) however just try renting a C, D, or Ab. The music stores that I have dealt with DON'T carry them for sale or rent. You have to special order to get them and that means you buy them.
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Dee, most music stores won't rent them, but if you ask on the Klarinet list you'll find a few private owners who'll selectively rent or loan them out. Actually, the few I know about aren't all that selective - the type of person looking for such an unusual clarinet would be the type to take good care of it.
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