Composing for Bb Clarinet

OK, my 8 years of clarinet playing is my background for writing this simple guide to composing for the clarinet. If you're playing an instrument that hasn't been covered yet (for now, all instruments except the clarinet :-P), you can post a similar guide. I would love to have such simple "reports" to use when composing!

---------------------------------------------------

Composing for Bb Clarinet

Range*

Range (Concert Pitch)*

*The highest playable note is discussable, but officially, C is considered the highest note playable.

Sound

The clarinet has a warm, wooden sound. In its lowest register (known as the

excelent, how ever, the range can be discussed. I've never seen a piece with a C in and I can't play one either, I belive somewhere around A is the highest thing you can reach in a piece, on my level anyway (5 years, soon 6). And it is possible to get a clarinet up higher then C, we have a stundent who have played 4 years who got it up to E, that's extreme though (he is the best player I know, he's just, arh he is so damned good :) :D :D)

Other then that, greta work, I'd love to see this for more instruments (preferably those I can't play :) )

Perhaps we should make this a section on the site somewhere, tips when composing for these instruments, what do you think?

Just moved this topic to the Performance forum. Looks some like brilliant information there, thanks very much Eirik.

Very helpful. Thanks for sharing that!

Neat! You should consider submitting this as an article.

If I were a clarinettist I would rather switch instruments to play a passage in (concert) A major. Given the choice between reading five sharps and zero, I'd choose zero.

Maybe you should mention something about the break, too.

For easy passages though, using B major is simpler, as the musician doesn't need to keep two clarinets warm during the concert. Also, the switch itself means some tumbling around with the instruments (=noise, =bad, bad, bad).

I have no problems playing in B major, the key system is so developed. The fact that I don't own an A clarinet also pretty much forces me to play B major when we're playing A major in the orchestra. :-P

For easy passages though, using B major is simpler, as the musician doesn't need to keep two clarinets warm during the concert. Also, the switch itself means some tumbling around with the instruments (=noise, =bad, bad, bad).

I have no problems playing in B major, the key system is so developed. The fact that I don't own an A clarinet also pretty much forces me to play B major when we're playing A major in the orchestra. :-P

Yeah, i got so used to adding to sharps to everything that i no longer even care. Different clarinets have a different color, and the Bb one is the most standard one, probably because it sounds the best. I could have bought a C clarinet and never have anytrouble with transposition again, but then again, i picked the Bb one because it's the standard one.

By the way Eirik, what clarinet do you own?

*Firing up primary and secondary bragging engine*

Model? It's a Buffet.

Buffet RC.

Buffet RC Prestige.

With left hand Eb key.

It costed $4000.

Well, that' just about it. Too bad I'm playing the oboe, the clarinet playing ruins the oboe playing and vice versa.

*Firing up primary and secondary bragging engine*

Model? It's a Buffet.

Buffet RC.

Buffet RC Prestige.

With left hand Eb key.

It costed $4000.

Well, that' just about it. Too bad I'm playing the oboe, the clarinet playing ruins the oboe playing and vice versa.

You own a Buffet RC and you don't play it?!? That should be a sin! :blush: :P :P

I hava an Amati ACL 612, and it costs a wee bit ovr a 1000$... I do play it, even though the double-bass is my prime instrument now.

RC, a mate of mine has that one (got it old though) I've got a Buffet E13, works excelent, and it's good for a 14 year old:P

Good guide!

I was thinking of writing a guide for Eb Alto sax, but 1) No one ever writes for it, and 2) Despite having played it for about 5 years now, I still don't feel as if I would do it justice.

Please, go ahead!

I can just play a high E on clarinet

Playing the high notes on the clarinet is much like playing the trumpet or the horn; you'll have to hit the exact harmonics. You can hit a A5, E6 or A6 all with the A6 fingering just by using your embouchure. You'll have to bite your way up to the highest notes.

You'll have to train your way up there. Play the notes one by one upwards until you can play them all.

(The Buffet RC Prestige model clarinet I use is also specifically constructed for those high notes.)

BTW, here are the fingerings I use:

High F = High E plus left hand C#/G# key

High F# = High F minus right hand pinky and ring finger

High G = High F# plus right hand index and middle fingers

High G# = High G minus right hand middle finger

High A = High F, but with pinky on the left hand C key

High A# = I don't quite remember it, most fingerings will work if you bite a lot and decide to play an A#

High B = Thumb on hole + octave key, left hand index finger on G# key, left and right hand index and middle fingers on their holes, left hand pinky on the C key, right hand pinky on the C# key

High C = High B minus both hand's middle fingers

Upwards: Press some random keys and press like **** with your teeth. Stop when you start bleeding from your lips :-P

Actually, any fingering will work for the notes above G6. Most keys are added to compensate for flat/sharp tones. Each individual instrument will have its own "best fingerings" and the jungle is yours to explore.

Is this similar to the altissimo range for sax?

Their is a 5 lick that goes throught the range of the clarinet. :) Do you know how to count that because I can't remeber what my teacher told me. :(

Does anyone know how to compos for A, Eb and C clarinet? :ninja: