When an E flat soprano clarinet is needed, who will be playing it, the principal or assistant principal clarinet? The only times I remember hearing the E flat clarinet playing classical pieces is when there is a guest soloist playing.

it depends on the difficulty of the parts, and the amount of solos. If the effer has a better part and more solo`s, it`ll go to the principal. Usually the assistant principal will get it though. I`m principal in my orchestra and I enjoy receiving the Eb parts.

I am assistant principle and the Eb is ALWAYS foisted off on me... which is sometimes fun, and sometimes aggravating considering how finicky the instrument can be.

Thank you for the responses

I had an opportunity to try an E flat clarinet. I knew that I was not experienced enough to play it yet, but I couldn`t resist trying.

My hats off to the clarinetists who can tame that beast. The small size of the reed and mouthpiece and trying to get my hands to adjust to the size difference proved challenging. I had some trouble with clarion G and up. Trying to get a decent sounding altissimo C# or D was almost impossible.

keep working at it..i was a soprano sax player before i began the Eb clarinet so it wasn`t much of an adjustment for me in terms of size of the mouthpeice. If you work hard at your tone, you will be pleasently surprised how fun the Eb clarinet can be.

I don`t know about orchestras, but some groups (like the one I was lucky enough to find in my area) have someone that plays it all the time. In a few cases, I have no part and if the part is not too difficult, transpose B flat parts. Otherwise, I`ll sit that peice out.

Thanks

Gary

Actually I just started playing the e-flat clarinet in my orchestra and if there is no e-flat piece I`ll just take the Bb-clarinet piece (on my Bb-clarinet). I think that is the most common way to do it. At least it is so in Denmark.

hi

i play the Eb clarinet for our schools concert band full time.

i used to be the Bb 3rd part but i
wanted to do something diffirent and i had to change instruments because i don`t really get along with the other clarinettists - the rest of the band is great- but my part is just the Bb 3rd clarinetist part transposed a 5th lower so that it sounds the same as his part.

i love the Eb clarinet and it is fun. it is not that difficult to play it...

to play the Eb clarinet in an orchestra who apreciates it must be great...

the 4th clarinettist part is higher than my part at the moment...

all the solos still go to the principal clarinettist but my own part written for me and not just transposed would be great...

but anyway. . .

the EB is a great instrument.