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  4. Clarinet Question - Special Edition 1

  • Clarinet Question - Special Edition 1

    M
    M
    I'm wondering why the Bb Clarinet has a range that goes down to C, an octave below middle C? The actual range of this instrument is the D below middle C, according to everything I can find on the subject. (I'm not a clarinet player). This is actually useful, as it covers the range of the clarinet in A, which goes down to C#, and is used occasionally in classical music (which is what I write). I've never been able to use this note, now I can! But I still wonder why this is so. Is there some kind of attachment that can produce this note? If so, I have never heard of it. Any clarinet scholars out there who can answer this question?
  • B
    B
    There are clarinets that have an extra key that allow it to play down an extra half tone to a written Eb instead of E. This key is mainly used on Bb clarinets so they can transpose from an A clarinet part and still hit the low written E on the A.
  • M
    M
    Hi! Thanks for the reply. Very interesting. May I quote you to the forum on Northern Sounds? A clarinetist there has also replied, but he did not mention anything about an attachment.
  • B
    B
    Sure you can quote. The extra key is not an attachment, the instrument is built with the extra key. The instrument also has to be a bit longer to accommodate.
  • DietzD
    VSL Team
    DietzD

     This might be helpful, too:

    -> http://www.vsl.co.at/en/70/3161/3173/3175/5581.vsl

    Kind regards,

    /Dietz - Vienna Symphonic Library
  • C
    C

    Personally I really like that VSL would use special instruments that have the kinds of capabilities that are occasionally required but often overlooked!
  • M
    M
    Thanks, I appreciate it!
  • M
    M
    Absolutely. it's very thoughtful!