 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: kurth83
Date: 2024-09-25 08:45
Building on my previous thread for odd keys...
Wondering if it is common to whip out the A clarinet if you get something in say 7 sharps. Or if most pieces are already written for clarinet in A cuz composers already knew they should do that.
Is that the reason most classical clarinetists own a Bb and an A?
In our symphonic band however, nobody brings an A that I can see. But we've never had anything in 7 sharps either. Key of E was probably about as bad as it got (D concert).
In our church orchestra though, the pieces are often in guitar-friendly keys, and 5 sharps is common, which conveniently is A concert. Would you bring an A for that? And E concert (which guitar players love love love) is read as G on an A clarinet.
Aging classical trumpet player beginning to learn clarinet as a second.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2024-09-25 11:01
Ravel uses an A clarinet in his Introduction and Allegro for harp, flute, clarinet and string quartet - the key is 6 flats.
Also using an A clarinet in the Intermezzo in the Hary Janos suite is much easier than using a Bb - with an A, you're in F minor and the solos are then in F Major. With the published part for Bb, you're in E minor and then E Major for the solos.
In Dvorak 9th, just use an A clarinet throughout and play the 2nd movement by changing the key signature from Eb Major to E Major so you don't need to chop and change clarinets for just that movement.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2024-09-25 13:13
kurth83 wrote:
> Wondering if it is common to whip out the A clarinet if you get
> something in say 7 sharps. Or if most pieces are already
> written for clarinet in A cuz composers already knew they
> should do that.
>
> Is that the reason most classical clarinetists own a Bb and an
> A?
>
Yes. Clarinets in C, Bb and A were common (and specifically called for by composers) in the late 18th and 19th centuries. The A and Bb have continued in symphonic and classical chamber music as more or less co-equal siblings through a good deal of the 20th up to the present, though the C clarinet isn't so much called for. Composers chose one or the other of the clarinets in Classical and Romantic times primarily yo keep the key more convenient, but also sometimes for the supposed difference in tone color.
There are many instances where it's common for orchestral players to transpose a section from the clarinet called for to one that for one of several reasons is more convenient - bad keys, instrument changes the composer calls for without providing time (rests) to make the change (famously in Brahms 3rd and some spots in Mahler), or instrument changes that are unnecessary and may cause intonation problems (cold instrument).
> In our symphonic band however, nobody brings an A that I can
> see. But we've never had anything in 7 sharps either. Key of
> E was probably about as bad as it got (D concert).
>
Band composers and arrangers have never adopted A clarinets. Since the clarinets and trumpets make up the core of the band (unlike orchestras where concert pitch rules in the strings), they simply try to stay in keys that are more friendly to Bb (and Eb) instruments.
> In our church orchestra though, the pieces are often in
> guitar-friendly keys, and 5 sharps is common, which
> conveniently is A concert. Would you bring an A for that? And
> E concert (which guitar players love love love) is read as G on
> an A clarinet.
Depends on how awkward - and fast - the part is. Many churches are quite chilly and I wouldn't get my A clarinet out and play it cold unless the part were very awkward on Bb and very exposed. It isn't a question of bringing it or not - I always have it with me. But I probably wouldn't own an A clarinet if the only playing I did were jazz, concert band and church music.
Karl
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Author: kurth83
Date: 2024-09-25 22:15
Thanks guys, interesting to note that orchestral clarinet players do transpose. For us trumpet players transposing is a way of life.
Aging classical trumpet player beginning to learn clarinet as a second.
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Author: Hunter_100
Date: 2024-09-25 22:45
Over many years of playing in concert band, I have played 2 songs that required an A clarinet. Both were orchestra concerto transcriptions that we played with soloists. One was the band version of the Mozart clarinet concerto, which has the accompaniment parts written for either Bb or A (A being much easier). The second was the Reinecke flute concerto which requires 1st, 2nd and 3rd parts for Bb AND a 1st and 2nd part for A clarinet. I think in that case the Bb parts are covering the string parts, and the 2 A parts are just duplicates of the orchestra A parts for clarinet.
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Author: Tom H
Date: 2024-09-25 23:31
My guess is the only reason orchestral clarinetists bring both Bb and A is because the orchestral literature can be written for either. The transposing that orchestral players routinely do is not to say, use an A clarinet because the Bb clarinet music is in a hard key. They use a Bb clarinet to transpose parts written in C (concert pitch) up a step. Or as in my case, use their C clarinet. As for me, I play my Bb clarinet in a band and always just play the part-- writing it out for A clarinet is way too much bother to save a little practicing....
The Most Advanced Clarinet Book--
tomheimer.ampbk.com/ Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001315, Musicnotes product no. MB0000649.
Boreal Ballad for unaccompanied clarinet-Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001314.
Musicnotes product no. MNO287475
Post Edited (2024-09-25 23:32)
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Author: kdk
Date: 2024-09-25 23:32
I thought orchestral trumpet players always play "C horns." (Tongue firmly in cheek) The other trumpets aren't bright enough for them.
Karl
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Author: Slowoldman
Date: 2024-09-26 02:30
My experience with bands is similar to Hunter 100's. The only time I have needed my A clarinet was for the Mozart Clarinet Concerto band transcription. On the other hand, many orchestral parts are scored for A clarinet. Composers are smart enough/sympathetic enough to allow us to play an easier written key.
I usually carry both instruments, even if I'm only using one, simply because it's easier to keep 2 clarinets humidified in one case than keeping them separately.
Amateur musician, retired physician
Delaware Valley Wind Symphony, clarinet 1
Bucks County Symphony Orchestra, clarinet 2 (sub)
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Author: Tom H
Date: 2024-09-26 05:34
Slowoldman, That's interesting as a couple of years ago I played the Mozart Concerto with the band on Bb clarinet. I didn't know there was a band arr. for A clarinet. Must have some interesting keys for the band members?
The Most Advanced Clarinet Book--
tomheimer.ampbk.com/ Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001315, Musicnotes product no. MB0000649.
Boreal Ballad for unaccompanied clarinet-Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001314.
Musicnotes product no. MNO287475
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Author: Hunter_100
Date: 2024-09-26 20:04
The version I played with the optional A parts was arranged by Robert Rumbelow.
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Author: Slowoldman
Date: 2024-09-26 20:57
Ours was also the Robert Rumbelow arrangement.
Amateur musician, retired physician
Delaware Valley Wind Symphony, clarinet 1
Bucks County Symphony Orchestra, clarinet 2 (sub)
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