altoclarinetadvocates

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:’) new baby #altoclarinet #clarinet (Taken with Instagram)

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It’s time for rehearsal #concertband #band #christmas #concert #altoclarinet #clarinet

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#altoclarinet

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Well hello there new friend. Pleased to make your acquaintance. I look forward to all the new fun we will be having together :D #altoclarinet #newchallenges #excited

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Here she is! My new alto clarinet! It’s my first wooden clarinet. It’s a Noblet 60N alto clarinet that was made in France in 1964 and was just reconditioned. I have decided to name her Atago.

Also decided to continue being Vandoren trash and bought a B44 mouthpiece and actual alto clarinet reeds instead of continuing to use JAVA alto sax reeds. 

I’ve been playing it for a bit and the combination of alto clarinet reeds and the B44 show a huge leap in quality over the JD Hite I was using. Needless to say, this alto blows the Bundy I already have out of the water.

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please appreciate this #rare picture of me playing alto clarinet in one of the community bands i’m in

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An alto clarinetist’s life

In one sense, an alto clarinet's life can be a lonely one. The alto clarinet being an uncommon instrument, there are not many who can teach it or give advice on how to play it, so it's something the alto clarinetist must figure out on their own, in many cases. It can make you feel alone. But in another sense, the alto clarinetist's life is not lonely. The alto clarinet, not being much of a solo instrument, is found in ensembles such as wind bands and clarinet choirs, and playing with others can combat loneliness.

#alto clarinet #alto clarinets are cool

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I multitracked my alto clarinet in this 4-part arrangement of a Christmas carol.

Looking back on the year, it’s been a good year for the alto clarinet. I joined a wind orchestra. Nice to have an opportunity to play the alto clarinet.

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!

#alto clarinet #christmas #multitrack #video

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This is me, the blog owner, playing my  own arrangement of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" on the alto clarinet.

Merry Christmas from Alto Clarinet Advocates!

#alto clarinet #christmas #christmas music #alto clarinet advocates #alto clarinet christmas #clarinet #clarinet christmas

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Brazilian music on the alto clarinet.

#altoclarinet #alto clarinet #brazilian music

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daily drawing week 10

clarinet 3: alto clarinet

#alto clarinet #alto clarinet drawing

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This has to be one of the most balanced clarinet ensembles on YouTube, ever. Of course, the Eefer and the bass clarinet are a bit too loud at times, and I would like to have another alto in place of one of the sopranos, but even the lone alto clarinet can be heard throughout the whole piece. And the contrabass truly gives that alla organ pedal note bass that is characteristic of a good clarinet choir.

Case in point, this is what a clarinet choir should sound like. Balanced, with a full sound, ringing in the upper ranges, and supported by a strong low end. The other video I posted, the one with the clarinet choir playing Danse Macabre, doesn’t even come close to the balance and unity of sound that Ensemble Infinity is able to achieve. This should be our model for clarinet choirs, not a bunch of Bb’s augmented by just an alto, bass, and contrabass.

I must admit, slur2tongue2, you were right. Here you have an ensemble of only 8 clarinetists, and yet their sound fills the whole hall. If better results are achieved with less, then that may show in this video as well.

I am really fond of this group Ensemble Infinity. Sure, you could watch some of their older videos and dismiss them as just amateur musicians, but some of their other videos, including the one of Clarinet Dances that I posted and subsequently got quite popular, are some of the finest clarinet ensemble playing I have ever heard.

Speaking of which, anybody would care to inform us about what this wonderful and moving piece of music is that Ensemble Infinity is playing? My knowledge of Japanese is only very basic, and I don’t think Google Translate is going to help…

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Pretty good, for someone who's just been introduced to the instrument.

#alto clarinet

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• Ahh, I have so many unpopular opinions on these…

• I want to try the piccolo clarinets (G & Ab)

• Eb clarinet is a sopranino. NOT a piccolo.

• Eb clarinet should be more fully explored. Too often it is only used for its piercing high range, instead of the sweet lower clarion and compact...

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The Alto Clarinet Orchestration Guide

1. Introduction

Since the alto clarinet is something of a rare instrument these days, there is not much information out there on how to write music for it. I'm an alto clarinetist and a composer/music arranger, and I've decided to write this guide on how to compose music for the alto clarinet. I hope you will find it useful.

2. Range

Theoretically, the alto clarinet has about the same written range as the other clarinets. The alto also has a key for a written low E-flat, beneath the low E that is the lowest note on a B-flat clarinet.

The alto clarinet's lowest sounding note is the G-flat on the bottom of the bass staff. The upper range limit depends on the abilities of the player and the condition of the instrument. I'd say a safe upper limit/highest note would be the B-flat above middle C (sounding note), but feel free to write higher if you know you're writing for a good player.

3. Transposition

The alto clarinet is in the key of E-flat and is a transposing instrument.

The transposition for the alto clarinet is the same as for the alto saxophone. It sounds a major sixth lower than written, so write the notes a major sixth higher than they sound.

If writing or arranging tonal music in a specific key, add 3 sharps or subtract 3 flats from the key signature.

4. Registers

Although many alto clarinet parts will stick to the lower registers, the other registers can be useful too.

Chalumeau register: Sounds somewhat similar to the bass clarinet or the low notes of the B-flat clarinet. Many consider this to be the alto clarinet's best, most characteristic register.

Throat register: As in other clarinets, these notes can sound pale or weak, but a good player should be able to compensate.

Clarino register: This register can be beautifully expressive, and sound almost saxophone-like.

Altissimo register: Can be expressive, but may also sound shrill. Fingerings here can be difficult, so try not to over-use this register.

Click here for a video demonstration of the alto clarinet's different registers.

5. What to Write for the Alto Clarinet

In a band or clarinet choir, the alto clarinet is generally used for filler harmonies or accompaniment figures, and can manage some bass lines, as long as the bass lines fit its range. Solos are rare, but can be effective, given a good instrument and a good player. As the alto clarinet is not a very loud instrument, solos must have a light background.

6. When to Write for the Alto Clarinet

Wind band pieces may or may not include parts for the alto clarinet. Smaller and less professional wind bands rarely have alto clarinets. Alto clarinets are extremely rare in orchestras, the basset horn being more popular for this use. The alto clarinet is almost always used in the clarinet choir. There exist a few compositions and arrangements for alto clarinet and piano, a combination that works well and has much potential. It is also possible to use the alto clarinet in some chamber music - trios made of two B-flat clarinets and alto can work well.

7. Some Additional Tips on Writing for the Alto Clarinet

Staccato notes in the higher registers may be difficult to produce on some instruments.

If writing for the alto clarinet in a wind band piece, it may be best to cue any non-doubled alto clarinet parts in other instruments in case the band playing the music doesn't have an alto clarinet.

The alto clarinet is capable of a large dynamic range, but isn't generally a loud, piercing instrument, and may not project as well as the higher clarinets. To make sure that the alto clarinet can be heard, the background music must not be too loud and heavy.

Don't be afraid to use the alto clarinet's clarino register, especially in solo passages - this register is often overlooked, but can sound unique and beautiful.

8. Conclusion

I hope this guide is useful, and that maybe it'll inspire the creation of more music for the alto clarinet.

#alto clarinet #alto clarinets #how to write for alto clarinet #alto clarinet orchestration #orchestration #music arranging #concert band arranging #clarinet choir #writing for clarinet choir

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