 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: klumpklump
Date: 2011-02-22 15:36
Hi folks!
I am interested in picking up either alto or bass clarinet (I've played soprano for some time) but there seems to be a paucity of information regarding the alto available on the web. I understand that the alto is rather rare and unpopular, but this in itself does not bother me. What does bother me is a couple alto putdowns I've seen thrown around, and I'd like to get to the bottom of these myths:
1st question: "The alto's high range does not extend beyond the bass's high range" (ie. the bass has a larger range). I don't understand how this could be. In theory, isn't every clarinet's high range limited only by the player (and clarinet quality)?
2nd question: "The alto is difficult to play in tune" I don't understand why this instrument would be any harder to keep in tune than higher or lower instruments in the family.
Anyone with alto experience who might be able to weigh in with any info? I'd be happy to hear any thing else you have to offer about why altos suck/rock.
Thanks in advance,
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2011-02-22 15:53
The range of the alto clarinet will be the range of any clarinet, and in my opinion, easier to obtain the higher notes than the Bb and Bass clarinets.
The intonation might be an issue though, and not because of the player, but most alto clarinets aren't made up to the standards of their bass and Bb counterparts. Now, if you find a good quality one, you should be set.
I love my alto clarinet, although I rarely get to play it. It's still a fun little devil to have >:-)
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-02-22 16:01
Altos have a basic range from low Eb to altissimo C which is just under 4 8ves, so on par with any other clarinet and sounding a 4th higher than a bass or a 5th lower than a Bb so their upper range exceeds that of a bass by a 4th.
They're not difficult instruments to play or play in tune - some makes may have better tuning than others but just like any other clarinet, it's up to the player to correct tuning problems wherever they arise.
Not sure the reasoning or where it stems from, but they're treated with the same contempt attributed to violas and tenor (alto) horns.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: jasperbay
Date: 2011-02-22 16:02
Alto's occupy the middle ground between the soprano and the bass, in size at least, and that may be important. Playing range is more up to the individual and the quality of the horn, mouthopiece, reed setup. There are quite a few Alto threads in this forum regarding different makes and tone quality.I've found little difference playing any of the clarinet family in tune, although a good soprano is easiest in that regard. There are probably better mouthpieces available for sopranoes and basses.
My playing level is more for personal enjoyment, not symphony work, so you may get more relevant info from higher level players.
Clark G. Sherwood
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2011-02-22 16:13
Generally, the higher the clarinet, the smaller its range. There's a soft upper limit for high notes, as they become significantly more difficult as they progress. In my experience, this is limited more by the setup and the player than by the size of the instrument... that is, you'll get close to the same upper limit (in concert pitch) on any instrument. Save for a few shaky notes in the middle, I have over 5 octaves on contrabass.
My upper limit is (in concert pitch) approximately C#7 on Eb, C#7 on Bb, and F6 on contrabass. (haven't messed with uber-altissimo on bass recently, I expect it's between F6 and C7). Contrast that with a lower limit of G3, D3, and Bb0, respectively.
It's easier to hit higher notes with greater facility on higher instruments, but the full range tends to be larger with larger instruments.
As far as whether altos suck... anything they can do, another instrument in the clarinet family can do better.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2011-02-22 16:26
Alto clarinet "feels" more like a soprano clarinet, and the parts written for it (which pretty much exist only in concert band and clarinet choir literature) tend to be stay more up in the clarion register than the chalumeau. Bass clarinet, on the other hand, has much more of a 'low clarinet' feel, is definitely a different instrument than the Bb soprano in terms of playing approach, and tends to spend more time in the chalumeau and throat registers.
Both are fun and "mind-expanding"; however the bass clarinet has much more utility in the long term.
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Author: Gary Van Cott
Date: 2011-02-26 00:23
I enjoy playing both. The main issue is where to play the alto. Some clarinet quartets (and clarinet choirs which I don't much care for) and some band literature call for it. I bring both my alto and a bass clarinet to the concert band I play in. Assuming there is another bass clarinet, I play the alto part if there is one and if it is important or interesting.
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Author: audrey
Date: 2011-03-07 10:15
"As far as whether altos suck... anything they can do, another instrument in the clarinet family can do better."
I know this has been discussed a lot already but i'm sorry, i can't help but react.
That's just like saying alto or tenor singers are useless because sopranos do better in the high register and basses in the bass register.
The alto clarinet is the best in the alto register, it's as simple as that!
It has a sound that, whether you like it or not, is unique, and in my opinion extremely beautiful when well played.
So it all depends about your tastes and what music you play.
I play mostly improvised music so i don't have the repertoire issue.
And I just feel great playing the alto, i love the sound of it, have no particular problems with intonation, and also, less importantly, enjoy the handiness of it compared to the bass clarinet.
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2011-03-07 15:27
Maybe I'd "know better" if I were a pro instead of an amateur, but fwiw, I find the alto clarinet's in-betweener range highly useful in writing ensemble music. I own a good alto (Selmer pro model) that seems to me to be a good clarinet -- not "good for an alto" (said with a sneer), but good, period.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2011-03-09 01:45
I play both alto and bass and both in advanced amateur-pro level groups and have Buffet Prestige models of both.
They are very different beasts. The Buffet alto sort of plays more like a "little bass" whereas the LeBlanc I owned previously plays more like a "big Bb". Different sort of feel and even in the way it responds. The Buffet alto really sounds more like a very big sounding basset horn and really sounds great when used for that literature. The Buffet has a hole in the bell joint for venting and it gives a good low D (= the low C on the basset) although you do lose the low Eb note by doing this. Finding a good mouthpiece seems to be more of a problem too. I have tried some really horrible alto mouthpieces but the Lomax is really good on both alto and basset horn. There does seem to be a general "urban myth" that the alto is hard to play. I think this is mainly due to poor alto players than the instrument itself. I know that in my high sdchool band the alto was often given to a poor Bb player. (No, not me I played the eefer in those days!)Anyway, I'm really pleased when I get comments like "gee, the alto can really sound pretty." The Adagio movement of the Mozart clarinet concerto is gorgeous on my Buffet alto. You see why Mozart was thinking basset horn for this piece. In the concert band, the old war horse pieces that were transcriptions of orchestral pieces oftwen have interesting parts although I've played some more modern works that had nice alto parts. The Dahl "Sinfionieta" has a beautiful solo for example. Good alto clarinet players sem to be rarer so this may give you an advantage in getting into a group.
The bass is a big sound and it has a different resistance than the alto. I love the horn and the parts for it tend to be a bit more interesting. I find now that the low C model is more and more required. Even my concert band parts have lots of C's and D's. That does involve a chunk of change for a good one. There seems to be lots of older altos for sale fairly cheap on that web site. Frankly I wouldn't want to be without either of them. It's sort of asking whether you like pizza or lasagna. You can like BOTH because they're different.
Hope that's some help!
Eefer guy
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