Concert band clarinets

[tdlucas]

What clarinets will one find in your typical high school/college concert band these days? Eb clarinet? Alto clarinet? Bass clarinets?

[N Grossingink]

Bass Clarinet always, an important color in concert band; Alto pretty much always, although the part usually continuously doubles other instruments and is included so the alto player has something to do; E flat not so much in High Schools - colleges usually own the instrument and have someone to play it if needed. A few serious college students will own their own E flat.

My observations, for what they're worth.

N.

[RMK]

I would say that E-flat soprano clarinets are much more common now than alto clarinets, which are nearly extinct. Most of the newer (by newer I mean past 30 years or so) repertoire doesn't use it at all.

Of course there are always outliers, like the Ingolf Dahl Sinfonietta, which has an alto clarinet cadenza!

Many bands also use the contra-alto or contra-bass clarinets, especially at the collegiate level.

[tdlucas]

Bass Clarinet always, an important color in concert band; Alto pretty much always, although the part usually continuously doubles other instruments and is included so the alto player has something to do; E flat not so much in High Schools - colleges usually own the instrument and have someone to play it if needed. A few serious college students will own their own E flat.

My observations, for what they're worth.

N.

Thanks. Now that my score is almost finished, I'll just give the alto clarinet part to the third Bb clarinets. I assume trumpets 1, 2, 3 and clarinets 1, 2, 3 is not unusual.

[tdlucas]

I would say that E-flat soprano clarinets are much more common now than alto clarinets, which are nearly extinct. Most of the newer (by newer I mean past 30 years or so) repertoire doesn't use it at all.

Of course there are always outliers, like the Ingolf Dahl Sinfonietta, which has an alto clarinet cadenza!

Many bands also use the contra-alto or contra-bass clarinets, especially at the collegiate level.

Thanks. I didn't know that the alto clarinet is gone, but I'm not surprised.

[N Grossingink]

I would say that E-flat soprano clarinets are much more common now than alto clarinets, which are nearly extinct. Most of the newer (by newer I mean past 30 years or so) repertoire doesn't use it at all.

I do freelance engraving work for one of the big US publishers of school band and orchestra music. Almost all of the medium easy to medium difficult band compositions/arrangements include a part for Alto Clarinet. It would be no surprise to me that most of these parts go unused. Interestingly, on opposite ends of the spectrum (easy/very easy and advanced), there usually are no Alto parts at all. I think that's a matter of not wanting to introduce the instrument to younger players (easy), and the reluctance of more talented composers who write advanced band music to use what they deem an obsolete instrument.

Your mention of the Contrabass and Contralto reminds me of a passage that shows the unique color of these low Clarinets - for those who wonder what these sound like in a concert setting. Go to the following link and listen at 1:20 - Bass Clarinet and Contrabass in octaves:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8P78GfYy2g

N.

[motet]

I imagine an alto clarinet part could be easily taken over by an alto sax?

[RMK]

I imagine an alto clarinet part could be easily taken over by an alto sax?

Not really. The lowest note on an alto clarinet is (written) e-flat below the treble staff. Alto sax only goes to B-flat a fifth above that.

Maybe this thread is going into the realm of TMI?

[N Grossingink]

I looked at a few medium level concert bands and saw these 3 scenarios, no doubt among others:

√ Alto Clarinet doubles Baritone/Euphonium quite often.
√ The Alto doubles Clarinet 3 or Cl. 2 & 3, particularily in florid passages (16th note runs, lower on or beneath the staff).
√ As long as the passage stays in the Alto range, the Alto can double Bassoon, Bass Clarinet, Bari Sax, or Tuba (any combination) - in lightly scored passages and where there are "quasi pizzicato" figures.

N.

[tdlucas]

I looked at a few medium level concert bands and saw these 3 scenarios, no doubt among others:

√ Alto Clarinet doubles Baritone/Euphonium quite often.
√ The Alto doubles Clarinet 3 or Cl. 2 & 3, particularily in florid passages (16th note runs, lower on or beneath the staff).
√ As long as the passage stays in the Alto range, the Alto can double Bassoon, Bass Clarinet, Bari Sax, or Tuba (any combination) - in lightly scored passages and where there are "quasi pizzicato" figures.

N.

Thanks for your research! Given all of the above, I will simply create a 3rd clarinet line and give them what I have written for the alto clarinet, adjusting the register where necessary. I'm fairly confident no band director is going to yell, "Where is the alto clarinet part?!?" Unless, of course, I write a solo passage for the alto, taking advantage of its unique tone quality.

[ebiggs1]

I never see alto clarinets anymore and for good reason. Our schools have Bb clarinets, bass clarinet and occasionally a contrabass clarinet.