 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Elke Schmidt
Date: 2000-07-20 20:41
Can anyone out there tell the difference in sound between an A and Bb Clarinet? There are indeed notes that are radically different because they switch from many closed tone holes to very few. How do others use their A clarinets in addition to playing music written specifically for it? I enjoy improvising with my A clarinet because I feels and sounds fresh and different.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-07-21 16:54
I was hoping some of our pro's would respond, but no [so far] so here is a semi-pro opinion! I find quite a diff. with the A being "more-mellow", less brillant, partic. for me, up high. Playing little highly classical music any more, this is from memory , as the only transposition to A I made [for ease of fingering reasons] was a difficult, multi-# place in "Music Man". Before that, I did read some symphonic A parts on Bb [if not too difficult and "accidentalled"]so as to not have to change mp to another [cold] horn. Others, please help! Don
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Author: mandy
Date: 2000-07-24 02:23
i know this semester in Orchestra we performed Peter and the Wolf, and there are a couple of low Ebs written which cannot be played on my Bb. so our director had 2 clarinets play and we divided up the soloistic parts between the two of us so i could switch between the two clarinets.
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2000-07-25 06:34
Just an info since I do not play A clarinet.
French clarinetist Guy Dunguin(spelling?) wrote in a book that longer tube length of A clarinet requires far reaching exhaling. He describes this as longer "colom d' air". Many French proffessinals exercises quite often by A clarinet to keep this air column necessarily long and this exrcise can improve the tone of B flat clarinet playing. (This may be a kind of trade secret of pros.)
So,after you concentrate on A clarinet for days and then try B flat clarinet you may find this phenomenon. Long tone exercise may enhance this improbement. Just a guess.
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Author: Elke Schmidt
Date: 2000-07-25 14:35
Hiroshi,
There are times when I will spend a whole weekend on my A clarinet and when I return to my Bb it does feel as if I am pushing less air. Especially in a small room sometimes I notice more volume as well.
Returning to the original question, I can say that when I play with a piano that I prefer my A clarinet. Many clarinetists I know use their Bb regularly and only use their A's when a score specifically calls for it.
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Author: Mario
Date: 2000-07-26 23:02
This is an interesting topic. Indeed, A clarinets tend to be mellower, darker, more intimate than Bb. But it is an accident of construction, not something systemic. A clarinets are built in such a way that the player can reuse the same mouthpiece and barrel (enabling rapid switching between the instrument). This means that the bore of an A is always, in proportion to the tube length, a little smaller than the bore of a Bb (read carefully here, I am not talking about absolute bore size, but of bore size relative to the tube length). This smaller bore promotes the unique properties of the A, in particular its increased resistence leading to a dard and intimate sound.
But, it is perfectly possible to build an A with a bigger bore that will sound very close to a Bb.
I just love my A.
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Author: Mario
Date: 2000-07-26 23:09
That being said, this increased resistence of the A can cause problem (especially in the clarion long tube note - B being the main culprit) can cause problems. It is often necessary to use a different reed on the A - usually a little bit softer, but more importantly one with a little more "pop" and responsiveness in staccato passages in the low clarion. If you play a recital with an A piece, do not be shy top go all the way and use a mouthpiece that works particularly well on the A. It is perfectly alright to have a Bb set-up with an occasiontal switch to A, and a pure A set-up for make those beautiful A pieces perfect.
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Author: Elke Schmidt
Date: 2000-07-27 14:25
Mario,
I am not entirely sure that you are the gentleman who owns the Rossi clarinets.
However, an acquaintance owns a Rossi A clarinet which I just recently heard. I had been walking by the practice rooms at my university when I heard the beautiful sound of an A Klarinette. Normally I would never interrupt the practice session of someone whom I don't know except by sight. However I was so taken by the sound that I had to find out what type of Clarinet it was. With the one piece upper and lower joints and the unstained grenidilla wood I knew immediately that it was a Rossi. He continued playing and allowed me to try and the sound was absolutely wonderful: rich, full velvety. More so than any other A clarinet that I have heard, his Rossi A clarinet really did have all the strengths and none of the weaknesses. His Bb is a Buffet and he says that he uses it when scores ask for it. However, when he improvises he ONLY uses his Rossi.
When I improvise I too only use my A Klarinette but that is because I prefer its sound as an A Klarinette. He, however is much more comfortable on his Bb but enjoys the sound of his Rossi so much; that is why he plays it.
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Author: Mario
Date: 2000-07-28 14:44
Hello Elke:
Yes, I have the good fortune of owning two Rossi's (Bb and A). I am told by other Rossi Users that my pair is actually quite incredible, even by Rossi's exacting standards. My two instruments are Rosewood American Bore (R-13 type of bore).
However, my observations comparing Bb to A still apply,even within the Rossi family.
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