 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Kathy Handyside
Date: 2001-05-26 00:15
Hello Everyone -
This may be a dumb question, but I'll risk looking dumb in order to get an answer. I've only played a Bb clarinet - never one pitched in A. Is there a different technique involved in playing an A clarinet?
Thanks much.
Kathy
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Author: KevinS
Date: 2001-05-26 02:35
Your question is not dumb. I was perplexed by the thought of clarinets in different keys until I bought an "A" clarinet.
There is no difference in technique as far as fingering goes. If the music you're playing is written for A clarinet and orchestra or piano, then reading the notes is the same as well. (no transposition) There is a slight difference in the way the clarinet feels in your hands. It's slightly longer than a Bb clarinet, and the toneholes may be spaced slightly different than your Bb. This difference is hardly noticeable, and you adjust to it almost subconciously. The horn has a slightly lower pitch than a Bb, and it may take some time for you to get used to that so you produce the same type of tone you get on your Bb. You may need a different mouthpiece/reed/ligature combination for the A clarinet. That will depend very much on you and the particular A clarinet you might be using.
Hope this was helpful.
Kevin Stockdale
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Author: Micaela
Date: 2001-05-26 15:27
I agree with Kevin. I learned to play the A clarinet a little over a year ago. You won't have any trouble playing it right off and it only takes a few days to adjust fully. However, quick switches between clarinets can be a little confusing (there's a nasty one in the Grieg piano concerto).
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Author: Marcia Nottle
Date: 2001-05-26 22:12
I have been playing on my "A" for about ten years. It is not "slightly" lower in pitch, it is a semitone lower. tsk tsk tsk! As for fast changes-make sure the mouthpiece is well greased. I love my "A". I would not want to play all my orchestral music on Bb. It would mean some horrendous key signatures.
I find because it is about two inches longer that it takes just a littl more "oomph" to play it than the Bb. So I do most of my practising on the "A".
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Author: Micaela
Date: 2001-05-27 15:52
The extra "oomph" is part of what makes changes confusing for me- suddenly I have to blow harder and my fingers have to reach further and it's a little tough adjusting quickly, even if you make the physical change easily enough. I guess it's something to practice...
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Author: Marcia Nottle
Date: 2001-05-28 00:52
When I first started playing my "A" I noticed a significant difference between the two, but now after so many years I hardly notice. Keep it up and you will soon get used to it.
Marcia
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Author: Kathy Handyside
Date: 2001-05-28 01:25
Dear Kevin, Marcia and Micaela,
Thank you so much for the responses to my note. Yes, they were very helpful. I have an Evette-Schaeffer Buffet Master Model Bb clarinet which my parents purchased for me when I was in high school band back in 1968 - it's wood (including the bell - which I understand from another posting are usually plastic with the Evette-Schaeffer model), silver keys (I think - when I polish them with silver polish, they brighten up), it came with two barrels and a leather case and it's been a wonderful clarinet. I wouldn't trade it for anything, but I'm also interested in learning to play the A clarinet. I have the current Woodwind/Brasswind catalog and there's an A clarinet listed under the Buffet -Evette listing and I thought that might be a good one to start out with (since I can't afford a Buffet R-13 A clarinet).
Thanks again!
Kathy
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-05-29 23:48
Kathy -
Your E&S Master Model began life as the top-of-the-line R-13 model, but was got the E&S trademark because it had minor blemishes in the finish that didn't affect the playing. It's a top-grade instrument, as you say yourself. You should feel no need to upgrade just to get a better label. People in the know will recognize what you have.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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