Is There such thing as a C clarinet?

Never heard of one but I`ve heard of C melody saxophones so if there is a c melody sax then there probably is a clarinet.

A clarinet in C does exist. The only manufacturers I can think of are Leblanc, Buffet and Selmer. I can`t think of any classical pieces where a C clarinet was required.

There`s a ton of classical literature for clarinet in C: Beethoven symphonies, Mahler symphonies, Barber of Seville, Bartered Bride, etc. The list goes on for awhile. Although C clarinets are made, most clarinetist transpose the C parts so that they can be played on Bb. C clarinets sound horrible, and are way too expensive.

when i said classical literature, i meant classical music as a whole, not the classical period.

How and why do C clarinets sound bad?

C clarinets don`t sound any worse or better than any other instrument as a matter of course.

Where there is a bit of problem is that many folks with a C clarinet play it with a Bb mouthpiece and reed (too big) instead of the right equipment.

Another problem is that many sax doublers use these to avoid transcribing. They play them as though they are a sax with way too much vibrato.

The timbre of the C is much brighter than the Bb but not as bright as the Eb. It`s a wonderful little instrument when used in the right forum. It leans more toward the Eb/D than the Bb/A timbre.

It can be used in place of a Bb to avoid transposing but you end up with a too high/tinny kind of sound in the typical setting.

I primarly play sax, but I have played C-Melody saxes and know the history. This may or maynot apply to the C-clarinet. C-Melody saxes have not been made commonly since the late 1920`s. Maybe this is do with the C-clarinet? They made Saxaphones different then, the walls on the bells where thicker. so the tone was worse on most. My Selmer C-Melody doesn`t have that problem. I could go on, but i`ll refrain unless asked to continue. PS: I might try to sell my C-Melody; if you know anything about prices please check out the sax furum; C-melody price.

A C clarinet just sounds bad because its in a different key, so if you and try to play B flat clarinet parts with a C clarinet it will sound quite stupid

That`s why you transpose

john doe,

why would a sax player use a c clarinet to avoid transposing? Alto and bari are in eb and tenor and soprano are in bb. Playing a c clarinet would force sax players to transpose.

To play with a piano or guitar, or flute. church is a good example. my church has no sax music, so i got a c-melody for that

haha

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