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Re: Bb Bass & Eb Soprano

Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2019-09-07 17:29

The big major orchestras have four clarinet players. A principal and second of course, then an Eb player that is usually also an assistant or associate principal, they somewhat split the 1st book, and a bass clarinet player that has to be proficient on clarinet as well and often plays some second in rotation. Many bass orchestral parts are third and bass on one part.
An orchestra that has only three players doesn't have a separate ass. 1st player and usually then the second player plays Eb and may play some 1st parts or the bass clarinet player is also the ass. principal. It varies from one orchestra to another. Small orchestras that only carry two players usually hire a bass and or Eb player on a as needed bases per service. Those orchestra are usually not full time orchestras.
When I taught at Peabody i encouraged all my performance majors to learn either bass or Eb or even both as I did. Bass often require some lessons to help with voicing because it's so different from Bb clarient, Eb usually just requires practicing to learn the voicing. I gave my students lessons on either when needed. I took up the Bass and Eb in my third year of conservatory so i could compete for any position in an orchestra. Worked out pretty well for me.

ESP eddiesclarinet.com

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