Bb vs A Clarinet in the orchestra

Hi friends

I've been reading that in terms of timbre, Bb and A clarinet are a little bit different but nothing to become a handicap, at least in an orchestral (no solo) set.

So, the choice of between Bb and A clarinet should rely on the tonality tof he piece. Two or more sharps would call for A clarinet. Also, changes from Bb to A (or viceversa) are possible (as doublings).

What do you think about that.

Or Bb clarinet always?

The Bb and A clarinets can be used because of their timbral difference. They're in the space where it's noticeable enough to make use of, but small enough that it doesn't affect a piece of you don't want it to.

The thing about clarinets is that their resonance is very different from other wind instruments (partly due to the fact that the registers change in tenths rather than octaves.) This means that the further the key is from C major, the worse the clarinet will sound. A clarinets are better for sharp keys, and Bb better for flat keys. The A clarinet is never seen in a concert band setting, because dedicated concert band pieces are almost always in flat keys.

All professional clarinettists will own both a Bb and A, and it's common to switch during a piece, depending on the key of the piece. You can actually make use of the less resonant tone in extreme keys, such as writing for Bb Clarinet when the piece is in A major. A drier sound will emerge.

Nb: Berlioz, in his Symphonie Fantastique wrote for Clarinets in Bb, A, C as well as Eb and Bass clarinets. The C clarinet has a noticeably brighter timbre, however it is rarer.

@aMusicComposer

thanks! Very useful information.

1 hour ago, aMusicComposer said:

The Bb and A clarinets can be used because of their timbral difference. They're in the space where it's noticeable enough to make use of, but small enough that it doesn't affect a piece of you don't want it to.

The thing about clarinets is that their resonance is very different from other wind instruments (partly due to the fact that the registers change in tenths rather than octaves.) This means that the further the key is from C major, the worse the clarinet will sound. A clarinets are better for sharp keys, and Bb better for flat keys. The A clarinet is never seen in a concert band setting, because dedicated concert band pieces are almost always in flat keys.

All professional clarinettists will own both a Bb and A, and it's common to switch during a piece, depending on the key of the piece. You can actually make use of the less resonant tone in extreme keys, such as writing for Bb Clarinet when the piece is in A major. A drier sound will emerge.

Nb: Berlioz, in his Symphonie Fantastique wrote for Clarinets in Bb, A, C as well as Eb and Bass clarinets. The C clarinet has a noticeably brighter timbre, however it is rarer.

 

Please forgive me being so bold but the clarinet overblows at the 12th. Its conical bore means the even-numbered harmonics in its timbre are all but missing. Hence overblowing at the 3rd harmonic. That's why the upper end of the bottom (chalumeau) register sounds "dry", (the G, Ab, A, and Bb, as written - our clarinettist calls them the throat notes), it needs this extra bit to join up with the next (clarino) register. 

Incidentally there'll probably be a greater timbral difference between German/Austrian and French clarinets, than between Bb and A instruments, and much also depends on the player.

A most useful instrument - long compass and, until getting up to C6 (written), can play from almost inaudible to fff. 

Also incidentally, most Bass Clarinets these days have an extension down to (concert pitch) C2 

Just looking at Petroushka, Stravinsky indicates Bb or A. And that part covers all registers. But he also specifies Cln I for Bb and Cln II, III for A, even though they are both playing unison, on a high A passage. ??

I think you could ask the same question of the Double horn, F and Bb. Apparently this is for versatility, as a player can choose which 1/ is easier to play or finger, 2/ sounds better, or 3/ is more in tune. Lesser skilled horn players might choose the Bb for high parts. Whether it sounds better, I don't know.

Bb is standard; HOWEVER all orchestra players have both.  if I were to write in the key of a, I would arguably have two parts!!!!

12 hours ago, Quinn said:

Please forgive me being so bold but the clarinet overblows at the 12th. Its conical bore means the even-numbered harmonics in its timbre are all but missing. Hence overblowing at the 3rd harmonic.

Thank you for noticing that! Yes, the clarinet overblows at the 12th (not the 10th that I said before.) You can see this if you look at a clarinet fingering chart - each note in the clarino register is almost the same as one a twelfth below, but adding the register key and possibly some other different ones.