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A clarinet for popular keys

Author: Tony M
Date: 2011-05-08 11:58

I am on something of a forced break in playing and practicing for a while and been enjoying the liberty to read and ruminate about the clarinet a bit more than I normally do. I have come up with a question that I cannot answer.

When students go to teachers and say something like 'I want to play clarinet but I'm more interested in pop music than classical', is it normal for them to be directed towards playing an A clarinet? That would seem to be a logical thing because of the ease of playing in the popular keys of C, G, D, A & E (concert).

I only own Bb clarinets and have never played any other but I'm beginning to wonder why not. I play with a guitarist friend who likes concert E because that sounds good on guitar. But I don't like concert E on my Bb, but I would be fine if I had an A instrument.

I know the logic of the answers available (just buy an A clarinet and use it) but I'm more interested in the experience and rationale of teachers. Do you normally encourage students to play both because I associate using both with symphonic or show band players. I look forward to hearing your replies.

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