My Cart

Close

Understanding The Low Clarinets

by Richard T. Saunders & Edmund J. Siennicki

Composer: Various

Publisher: Shawnee Press

$15.00

Instrumentation:
Movement/Section Duration: N/A
  • Richard T. Saunders (1928–2020) was an American clarinettist, and Edmund J. Siennicki (1920–2014) was an American composer, teacher, and conductor.  Their book Understanding the Low Clarinets, published in 1972, is designed to "...aid the student who has a fundamental knowledge of clarinet playing in transferring from one member of the clarinet choir to another."  Through the collection of exercises, études, and solo material, one can "...overcome tonal and technical difficulties and develop the correct style and approach to peculiar to these instruments."

    There are six pages of brief, basic information about reed selection/care, posture and hand position, embouchure, articulation, intonation, and transposition.

    The 19 daily exercises are spread over seven pages.  The first portion consists of slow, sequential passages, 3–4 lines long, to "warm up" the basic range of the instrument, encouraging proper voicing and smooth note connections.  The second portion focuses on articulation and basic finger technique.  Most exercises are written out in a single key, and instruct to play in all keys and registers.
    Daily exercises:
    Time signature: 3/4, 4/4
    Key signature: no ♯/♭, 1♯, 1♭
    Range: low to high = written E3–C♯6

    The étude section begins with a one-page "Transposition Étude" for the E-flat contralto clarinet with preceding guide; since the instrument usually reads from bass tuba or bassoon parts in bass cleff, transposing such parts for treble cleff is an advisable skill.  This is followed by 11 études, each one page long (a few are slightly longer).  They are organized with increasing difficulty through time signature and key signature variety.  The rhythms start with mostly quarter- and eighth-notes in the early études, and add complexity and density in numbers 9–11 with dotted rhythms, sixteenth-notes, and triplets.
    11 études (plus transposition étude in treble cleff):
    Time signature: 2/2, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 7/4, 12/8
    Key signature: no ♯/♭, 1♯, 2♯, 7♯, 1♭, 2♭, 3♭
    Range: low to high = written E3–D6

    The book finishes with 3 short works for clarinet and piano by Edmund J. Siennicki.  Each work includes a solo part transposed for 4 different low clarinets: E-flat alto, B-flat bass, E-flat contralto, and B-flat contrabass.  The solo and piano parts are attached in a single book binding, so use of the material in rehearsal or performance will require multiple copies.  Nocturne (3.5 minutes) features a slow 5/4 meter for much of the piece, and is marked Moderato cantabile.  Passacaglia (4 minutes) passes through a handful of lively moods, strung together by an ever-present bass-line motif.  Impromptu (2 minutes) is the most technically demanding of the three; it is written entirely in triplets, has frequently shifting time signatures and ambiguous harmonies.
    3 works with piano:
    Time signature: 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 12/8
    Key signature: no ♯/♭, 1♭ (B♭ bass clarinet)
    Range: low to high = written D♯–C♯6 (B♭ bass clarinet)

    As noted by the writers, this book is not meant for a beginner clarinettist, but instead for someone looking to hone their clarinet skills across the low clarinet family members.  The technical demands are very approachable for one early in their development, and the études and solo performance works appearing later in the book will provide a healthy, moderate challenge.
  • Performer / Ensemble Link Comments
    • Performer / Ensemble
    • Link
    • Comments
    • Performer / Ensemble
    • Link
    • Comments
    • Performer / Ensemble
    • Link
    • Comments
    • Performer / Ensemble
    • Link
    • Comments
    • Performer / Ensemble
    • Link
    • Comments
    • Performer / Ensemble
    • Link
    • Comments
  • Pages: 49

    Pages (score): 11


    Publisher Code: LA0115

    UPC: 747510037347

    ISBN:

    ISMN:


    Length: 28 cm

    Width: 21.6 cm

    Thickness: 0.415 cm


    Weight: 196 g