Choosing instruments for a score.
When choosing instruments that have different tuning, which one do I choose for a particular score or key signature.
I am transcriping an arrangement of Hard Knock Life from Annie, with the instruments simply labeled as Clarinet, trumpet, saxophone.
In MS, I have a choice of Eb, Bb or A clarinet, which one do I choose.
later I will have the same choice to make with the trumpet and saxophone.
The score is in B major by the way.
I have experimented with all three clarinets, but the passage with the clarinet, flute and piccolo to me, sounds out of tune against the piano and vocal lines.
Attached is the passage in question, all notation is as the score sheet.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| It's_A_Hard_Knock_Life (passage).mscz | 4.05 KB |
Comments
If the score is already written, then you have to use the instruments it was written for. That is, if it was written for Bb clarinet, and you try to have an A clarinet play that part, it will be totally the wrong notes. You'd need to transpose everything a half step in order for it to sound right.
If the score you are copying doesn't tell you what kind of clarinet it was written for, then you will have to figure it out from the key signature. A Bb clarinet will have two more sharps in the key signature than the actual key; an A clarinet will have three fewer sharps. For trumpet, again, Bb has two more sharps, C (the other common choice) has the normal number of sharps. For saxophone, it goes beyond key; you also need to know if it is soprano, alto, teno, or baritone. If it's for alto, then baritone would be in the same key, but be an octave too low, etc.
Basically, you need to do a little research and learn how these instruments work. Wikipedia should help.
In reply to If the score is already by Marc Sabatella
Problem fixed, did as you suggested, did a google search and transposed for the Bb instrument.
Also noticed on score, that when I changed from one clarinet to another in Musescore, the key signature changed from B major to Gb major without my noticing, thus adding to the problem.
Corrected that, transposed for Bb clarinet and all good.
Thanks for your help.