 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Susan
Date: 2001-08-11 16:58
Can anyone give me some pointers on how to learn to play the Eb clarinet? I currently play bass clarinet exclusively and am planning to audition for a local symphony for the bass clarinet/utility clarinet position. The position will be primarily bass clarinet, however they want to know how well we play Bb and Eb also. ANY suggestions or helpful hints will be greatly appreciated. Wish me luck -- I think I'm going to need it !!
Thanks !!
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-08-11 17:48
Do you mean Eb alto clarinet, or Eb soprano? In my limited experience, I should think the latter for a "utility" player, I've never seen alto cl parts in symp music, there are some sop parts I've heard [Till Eulenspiegel {sp?} etc]. That wouldn't involve any transposition of course [I have heard that Till may be in D !! tho]. Don
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2001-08-11 17:59
If your hands are big enough to comfortably play bass you might find the Eb sopranino a little cramped. The bass fits my hands like an old shoe but I have a hard time with the eefer.
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Author: David Pegel
Date: 2001-08-11 19:56
Or do you mean EEb Contralto? (Contra-alto, Contrabass, whatever)
Eb Soprano: I'm not qualified to give you advice on this jump, so take this for what it's worth. That's a very awkward transition that may require working your way through the Bb Soprano clarinet first (standard)
Eb Alto: This makes more sense. Remember that it's not going to sound like a bass clarinet OR a soprano. Then it's a breeze through after you master the firmer embouchure.
Eb Contra: By far the easiest jump you'll have. Fill up your lungs greatly, and you may want to use a softer reed. Cloth ligatures really help.
Let us know how it works out!! And Good Clarineting!!
David Pegel
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Author: Robert Gifford
Date: 2001-08-11 21:39
Its usually good practice that the smaller the insturment the harder the reed the larger the insturment the softer the reed. I don't quite do that, but thats usually the practice. I echo what David says about Eb Alto, its weird in its on sense, then again an Eb Contra won't sound like a Bass either. Eb Alto will require you to have a fimer embouchure and Eb Contra will require you to have a looser one. I think the most trouble you'll prob have is just getting used to the fact your in Eb now, and getting used to the new sound. After that its all kinda downhill.
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Author: Susan
Date: 2001-08-12 02:43
I'm referring to the Eb soprano ... Sorry I didn't clarify that earlier
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Author: Blake
Date: 2001-08-13 15:34
Some Effer pointers - know your horns intonation inside and out.. I often times will keep my tuner around handy particularly if i have a long sustained pitcht in the altissimo. If youre not used to playing up there your ability to determine intonation may not be as honed as your ability to "hear" the lower registers. A good horn and good mouthpiece definitely help. Most importantly.. ive found most of the parts are playful so have fun with them. Only "mournful" Eb solo I can remember playing is some transcription of the old musical 1776 and then one in Poll's Dance from Pineapple Poll/the Gilbert/ Sullivan post copywright anthology. I had an intersting passage in PrivateRyan overture where the woodwinds were on this long unison lick that the Bb's were struggling with so I took the Eb Alto part and played it on Effer to give the Bbs a break. Feel free to contact me privately if you have more questions. Blake
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Author: Anna
Date: 2001-08-20 11:06
Eefer can be nasty. Spend some time coming to grips with the instrument's intonation - often you'll have to use bizarre finger combinations for the altissimo register to be in tune. You need just as much air for eefer as you do for bass; the more support, the easier it is to play in tune! Don't blow harder, blow faster. A harder reed may help!
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