 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jason M
Date: 2001-10-29 20:32
When clarinetists talk about playing in A, F and say E, do they mean at concert pitch or clarinet Bb? I am tiresome I know, but this helps enormously, thanks
The reason I ask is that I recently read an interview with Pete Fountain who mentions those as predominent keys within the music he plays.
Cheers
J
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Author: Bart Hendrix
Date: 2001-10-29 21:18
They are making reference to the key signature of the piece (how many sharps or flats). E major would have four sharps, A major three sharps and F major one flat. Exactly which key applies depends on the particular piece and, often, the instrument. For example:
The Mozart clarinet concerto is written in A major (concert pitch). That means if you play it on an A clarinet, your individual part is written in C major (no sharps or flats). On the other hand, if you try to play it on a Bb clarinet, you will find your part written in B major (five sharps).
Since different instruments are in different keys, their parts must be written in different keys as well. Usually a reference to the key of a piece is based on concert pitch (parts written for those instrumets which play naturally in the key of C where a fingered Bb sounds as a concert Bb). One way of determining the key of the instrument is by noting what concert pitch sounds when a fingered C is played on the instrument. Another way of saying the same thing is, which concert pitch is the fundamental tone on that instrument for playing a major scale without having to finger any sharps or flats.
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Author: Jason M
Date: 2001-10-29 22:41
Thanks for the reply. The issue that bothers me the most (I am new to writing music with wind instruments) is when a piece is written in F say on a Bb clarinet, and I would like accompanyment on a piano, then I would like to ensure the piece is not a nightmare to transpose on the piano to suit the tone F on the clarinet. As many may aggree, once something is written in a particular key, changing it can be to the detriment of the music, imagine Beethoven's 14th Sonata (Moonlight) in anything other than C sharp (Minor)?
Are there any suggestions when composing (playing around) on a clarinet in general when taking other musicians into account. Such as: if I was to play something on the clarinet in G should I regard it as being in F for all intents and purposes?
Many thanks
J
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Author: Jim (E)
Date: 2001-10-30 04:33
I would suspect that "all" composition is done in the concert pitch, and then transposed to the needed keys for the transposing instruments during the process of orchestration. Composition is generally done on the piano (or other keyboard) not only is it in concert pitch, but it is capable of playing chords, try that on a clarinet!
Search this board for much info about transposing, and the keys of various instruments.
Good Luck!
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-10-30 10:13
When a group of Bb clarinetists (even with trumpeters) are talking about notes they usually mean the notes on their particular instruments.
In situations where there is confusion, say including flutes of keyboards, the only non-ambiguous communication is by using the term "concert pitch", which refers to the names on the keyboard and 'C' instruments.
Good composers and arrangers should be familiar with the strengths and difficulties for each instrument, including particularly difficult keys, and write the music accordingly. In some show music I am astounded at the detailed knowledge that is represented in good arrangements, even to the extent of arranging page turns while the player is playing a note that can be played with one hand. (Then the publisher stuffs this up by photocopying the left pages to right sides, etc, not realizing that there was a reason for leaving a blank page somewhere. I hate that!)
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Author: Rob
Date: 2001-10-31 03:23
I have had that problem with printers for other things too such as the technical computer manuals that I write. I solved it by inserting pages that have nothing on them except the phrase "this page was left intentionally blank" and I haven't had a problem since. Could arrangers do the same thing?
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