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A.S. I'm sorry if this question may seem stupid. I've been playing a the viola since years in many orchestras but I'm still a complete ignorant in the field of woodwinds.

I've been trying to transcribe Wagner's Tannhauser in East West Symphonic Orchestra.

This VST limit the extensions of every instrument by default: while writing the clarinet part I've noticed I couldn't play any note below D2. In the VST, instruments extensions are very accurate when it comes to string so I assume they're correct also for woodwinds and therefore D2 is the lowest note you could play with a clarinet.

However, take a look at this:

enter image description here

Let me explain the problem. The whole ouverture is in E major and the first note is a B2 for all the instruments that plays.

As soon as I saw the notes, I've noticed they need to be transcribed. In the case of the photo above, they need to go down of -3 semitones.

However, if you do that you'll notice that the lower part will go below D2 (and I can't play below D2!).

Why not transpose the clarinet of +9 instead of -3? Perhaps you're just getting the wrong octave? Nope. Unless I'm becoming deaf, there's just one note being played at the beginning and that note is B2 (not B3) so the octave I'm trying to achieve is the correct one. Here, check by yourself: Tannhauser on Youtube

So, what's going on? Is Wagner fooling with the woodwinds? Is the VST fooling with me? Is the score wrong?

Being a string instrument player I've always been in a what you see is what you play mindset. Can someone explain me how does the transportation above works?

EDIT: Yep, according to this page I'm right. Clarinet in A means -3 semitones. How then is even possible to play the part above if a clarinet doesn't go below D2?

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    The A clarinet goes down to Db. Are you perhaps notating for a Bb clarinet? – Ulf Åkerstedt Aug 25 '13 at 22:05
  • It looks like East West VST provides you with sample for a not better specified "Clarinet". This sample only goes down to D2 unless hacked into thinking he's playing above D2... – Saturnix Aug 25 '13 at 23:13
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This is a good question as transpositions notoriously trip people up.

First off, Wagner's not playing any tricks, and you've got the right octave, so rest easy. :)

The "normal" Bb clarinet's lowest written note is E2 which will sound as you described one whole-step lower than written pitch (D2.)

The A clarinet has the same written range as the Bb clarinet, but sounds a minor third (or three semitones) lower than written pitch. Thus, with an A clarinet, a low C#2 is possible that is otherwise not possible on the Bb clarinet.

It is considered standard practice for an orchestral clarinettist to own (and bring) both a Bb and an A clarinet with them. Many also have bass clarinets (especially if they are 2nd or 3rd chair) and Eb soprano if necessary (again, if they sit second chair.)

Unfortunately, the VST doesn't know any of this, and doesn't distinguish between different transpositions since it's not a real instrument anyway. The problem therefore lies in the fact that the music is written correctly but due to transposition, it is out of the range for the VST, so the VST is incapable of playing the notes.

As a composer, I run into these issues all the time with different instruments, sounds, and effects on a daily (and hourly) basis. I think that composers do just as much "imagining" currently as composers of old, but that's a subject for another time.

My solution to this problem is to use a MIDI patch instead of a fancy VST. Sometimes labeled something like "Smartmusic Synth," the MIDI will play any note entered - regardless if it is actually possible on a real instrument. I find such changes to be helpful when writing things that I know are possible, but are beyond the capability of the computer.

Also, make sure that your staff / instrument's transposition is configured correctly - that will also help with playback.

Hope that helps.

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    Thanks a lot for precious your help! You're right, so the problem lies in the East West VST. However, I've just found a solution here: soundsonline-forums.com/showthread.php?t=24279 It still bugs me that a 1000$ industry standard sample library doesn't have any default support for something so common like a transposed woodwind: still, in a shady and unknown preference box you can fix that. Still glad to know the problem lies in modern technology and not in classical music :) Cheers! – Saturnix Aug 25 '13 at 22:52
  • Glad to help and glad you got it sorted out - sample libraries definitely have their share of disadvantages in addition to advantages. Cheers! – jjmusicnotes Aug 25 '13 at 23:40
  • @CarlWitthoft - correct, like I said, an A clarinet sounds three semitones lower than written while a Bb clarinet sounds two semitones lower than written. – jjmusicnotes Aug 26 '13 at 13:49
  • OK-the text misled me: you wrote that the A clarinet sounds a minor third lower than the Bb(which we agree it doesn't). The notes you named (C# vs D) are correct. – Carl Witthoft Aug 26 '13 at 14:01
  • @CarlWitthoft - ah, I reread my answer and see the confusion, I'll edit that now to make it more clear. – jjmusicnotes Aug 26 '13 at 15:20

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