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Quarter Tones For Clarinet

The document discusses the technical challenges of playing quarter-tones on the clarinet. It notes that the scale from A3 to D6 presents few issues, but that the transition from the throat to clarion registers contains weak quarter-tones. It also states that from Bb4 to D#4, there are no practical fingerings for quartertones. Above B6, the pitches require altered embouchure and air that make them difficult to produce accurately, especially when leaping between notes. The document recommends practicing quarter-tones by first playing the surrounding half-step and then adding the quarter-tone interval.

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1K views2 pages

Quarter Tones For Clarinet

The document discusses the technical challenges of playing quarter-tones on the clarinet. It notes that the scale from A3 to D6 presents few issues, but that the transition from the throat to clarion registers contains weak quarter-tones. It also states that from Bb4 to D#4, there are no practical fingerings for quartertones. Above B6, the pitches require altered embouchure and air that make them difficult to produce accurately, especially when leaping between notes. The document recommends practicing quarter-tones by first playing the surrounding half-step and then adding the quarter-tone interval.

Uploaded by

elube
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Clarinet Quarter-Tones

The following quarter-tone scale extends from A3 to D6; it contains relatively few problems for the clarinettist. However, somewhat weak conjunct sections of the quarter-tone scale are found across the "break" from the throat register to the clarion register (B-flat 4 to Dsharp 4).32 From B-flat 4 to C4 there are technical problems because of awkward finger placement requirements. From C4 to D-sharp 4 there are no practical fingerings for quartertones, since virtually the entire length of the instrument is employed. Cross fingerings can not be utilized. This is the same consideration that inhibits quarter-tone production below chalumeau A. Another section of the quarter-tone scale that is weak consists of pitches above B6. The altered air and embouchure pressure necessary to produce these pitches (often on different partials), as well as awkward fingerings make them treacherous, especially if approached quickly by leap.

TABLE #6 - Quarter Tone Scale

The clarinettist should practice tuning these quarter-tones by first playing the half-step, and subsequently adding the quarter-tone. This process will lead to an improved level of quarter-tone intonation.

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