The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Re: A-clarinets in modern compositions

Author: Simon Aldrich
Date: 2010-05-16 16:13

I do a fair bit of movie soundtracks (two days ago I did a soundtrack for a forthcoming Imax film).
Yes, A clarinets are less common in film soundtracks but not for any of the reasons you cited. With film scores, the composer hands the score to the copyist and the copyist feeds the parts into a program like Finale. This is often done at 4 am the morning before the session. In Finale the default setting for clarinet is Bb so all the parts come out in Bb. There are so many factors in a session (recording equipment not working, syncing sound with image, tight budget, ego clashes) I can assure you nobody is thinking about sharp-heavy keys or clarinet ergonomics.
One ends up playing in F# and B major a lot.
----------------------------------------------------
Simon Aldrich

Clarinet Faculty - McGill University
Principal Clarinet - Orchestre Metropolitain de Montreal
Principal Clarinet - Orchestre de l'Opera de Montreal
Artistic Director - Jeffery Summer Concerts
Clarinet - Nouvel Ensemble Moderne

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics