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Re: Why transposing instruments?

Author: Matt74
Date: 2017-12-11 01:16

My question was about the historical origin of the practice.

Some observations:

All clarinetists have to learn two sets of fingerings. I learned both C and F recorders. It was easy - mostly because as a clarinet player I already knew both sets of fingerings.

I have not played historical clarinets, but I expect that the timber, intonation, and technical problems of forked fingerings are exaggerated. Baroque recorders are fully chromatic, even with no keys (except for large instruments where you can’t reach). The first thing I learned on C recorder was a Bach piece in E minor. The forked fingerings aren’t at all a problem. Four sharps and flats are no more difficult than on modern horns IMO. I actually liked it a lot because you have more options.

Back in the day, when transposed notation was either uncommon or non-existant, they had horns in a lot of keys, and they got played. They did this because it was more convenient and/or sounded better. But today, for all practical purposes we only play Bb, A, and Bass. This leads me question whether it’s really true that transposing notation makes things easier for the player. Our priorities have changed. Instead of practicing differently pitched horns, we spend that time practicing only one horn in all keys. Music is more technically oriented. It’s a change of mindset.

I think what you said about it having something to do with written music is probably true. If you are in an ensemble and have a part there is no issue. The problem comes in when you DON’T have the music. I have been extremely challenged to play in a group when I have the music in the wrong key. I find transposing on the fly to be just about impossible. (For some reason other people seem to think it’s much easier.) Another place where it’s a problem is when you have one ensemble, but the music is for another. One year I had a woodwind trio, and it was terrible finding Christmas music. If we all had C instruments we could have easily arranged something from just about anything. Basically transposing notation makes you dependent on the page and on publishers. People used to play music with whatever instruments they had, but this is much harder now.

- Matthew Simington

Post Edited (2017-12-11 01:19)

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Why transposing instruments? new

Matt74

2017-12-09 23:07