 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jeff
Date: 2000-12-29 03:23
Hi.
I enjoyed reading the posts on some of these topics. I recently picked up a clarinet at a flea market. I've been playing guitar for a while - I have a background in music. I've been able to learn fingerings from fingering charts I've found online - and just figured out notes by finding them on the guitar. so, I've been figuring out all the notes at concert pitch (what's the reason behind all the different notations anyway? is it just tradition?) -- then when I took the clarinet to have someone look it over, I learned that its an 'a' not a b flat. I guess for me it doesn't make a difference cause I'm thinking in concert pitch anyway. If I ever get a b-flat I'll just be a semitone away.
Can anyone explain if there are any other significant diffs between a and b-flat clarinets that I might want to know about if I plan on continuing to study the instrument. If I go to a teacher with this, will they tell me to get a b-flat and come back?
thanks! - Jeff
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Author: Anji
Date: 2000-12-29 14:31
I'm pretty fresh to the clarinet, so alot of your questions are current for me as well.
The clarinet in "A" when compared to the Bb clarinet is a little longer.
This influences the way it sounds, tonally. It is also somewhat more resistant.
As to history, there were once racks of clarinets available for multiple keys.
The Bb clarinet, given its size was chosen for it's tonal flexibility and being in tune from note to note (compared to the other horns, it was reasonably close).
Smaller clarinets played brighter, yadda-yadda.
This is a relatively new instrument to the orchestra, but has not really developed in more than 100 years.
The scoring convention is pretty entrenched, by now.
If you take lessons, the Bb is the standard instrument.
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Author: Fred
Date: 2000-12-29 15:05
Unless you are really interested in A clarinet, you would probably come out ahead reselling the A and buying a Bb clarinet. Unless the A is in terrible shape, you would probably come out ahead dollar-wise as the A's are scarcer. Advanced players develop a need for them as they work their way into orchestras, so you most likely wouldn't be selling it to a novice. You just won't find that much beginner music for the A. A teacher would most likely prefer to begin you on a Bb instrument.
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Author: William
Date: 2000-12-29 17:17
No matter what, you will eventually need a Bb clarinet. Orchestral parts are written for both Bb and A, but concert band and most jazz ensembles use Bb clarinet exclusively. You will find that the Bb clarinet will play with less resistance than the A due to the shorter length of tube and other accoustical technicallities only God can explain. My advice, keep the A and buy a similar Bb. Then you can join the rest of us who struggle to control the beasties. Good clarineting (and guitaring) and Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-12-29 19:32
I can't say for sure what a teacher will do but there should be no problem learning on an A. It works the same way as the Bb but sounds lower. The only problem that a teacher might have is if they themselves have only a Bb. Then they cannot play along with you. If they have both then they will have no problem.
When you get to the point that you might want to join a community band, you will need a Bb. Band music generally only comes with Bb clarinet parts not A clarinet parts.
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Author: Eoin
Date: 2000-12-30 00:32
If you want to play simple pieces with piano accompaniment, these are always written for a Bb instrument. If you just want to play solo pieces, you can play your A clarinet and pretend it is a Bb. If you want to learn seriously, you should get a Bb.
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Author: Jeff
Date: 2000-12-30 16:55
Thank you all for the input. I am finding that this site is a really great resource for clarinet info. I am going to start looking around for a b-flat. I'll probably keep this one - its old and wood and sounds really nice. Does anyone know anything about Couesnon from Paris? - that's the maker.
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Author: Allen Cole
Date: 2000-12-31 04:45
One nice thing about A clarinets...they're terrific to play in those rock and roll keys like A, G, E and D. You might have some fun fooling around with it.
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