Backun Alternate Fingerings Volume 3, Altissimo Range Introduction The purpose of this booklet is to maintain our collective curiosity about the myriad of ways to be expressive with the clarinet. There have been many books on fingerings printed in the past. Hopefully, there will be many more in the future. However, if you are able to find even one of these fingerings useful, the mission of this booklet will be accomplished. More than anything, we would like to encourage you to use your imagination to further expand on the information given. There are several pages in the back of this booklet with blank fingering diagrams for you to record your own alternate fingerings, or to share with your colleagues. It should also be noted that some fingerings may vary in effectiveness, depending on the brand of instrument and mouthpiece played, and ultimately, on the ability and sensitivity of you, the artist. How to Use This Booklet The highlighted tone holes are those that need to be covered. Please keep in mind that, at times, alternate fingerings will call for semi-closed tone holes. The highlighted keys are the ones that need to be actuated. It is very important to understand that while having alternate fingerings is useful, they are only as useful as one’s level of musicianship and sensitivity enables them to be. This is a guide to encourage critical musical thinking and, as such, it should remind us to think of the clarinet as a tool of expression About Altissimo Fingerings The following altissimo register fingerings work very well, provided that the proper voicing on the clarinet is used. For our purposes, the definition of proper clarinet voicing is the combination of a high tongue position and fast air stream, along with a firm yet flexible embouchure. Many instruments of the past have had acoustical maladies that made the upper register, beginning with clarion A, tune sharp. That has required players to lower the tongue position and slow down the air speed to compensate for the shortcomings in tuning. Making all those adjustments will contribute to an unsteady embouchure, loss of control of the intonation and deterioration of the quality of tone. The completely re- engineered bore and tone hole designs found on Lumière, CG Carbon, and other Backun Clarinets virtually eliminate the shortcomings found on other clarinets. CG Carbon™ The future and beyond The world’s most technologically advanced clarinet, the CG Carbon features a body crafted from carbon fibre with an exotic wood core. Using a patent pending process, carbon fibre is fused to the precision machined core, resulting in a clarinet with the robust projection and unmatched intonation that Backun is known for. Years of material analysis and real-world testing have proven the fusion process can endure wide-ranging temperatures and humidity conditions without expansion or contraction of the clarinet body. Tonally, the playing characteristics stay true to that of a wooden clarinet with the new Backun Scale. This signature model, designed for Maestro Corrado Giuffredi, represents a giant leap into the future… and beyond. Available in B♭ and A, unstained grenadilla or cocobolo body with gold or silver keywork. Volume 3, Altissimo Range - Introduction & CG Carbon Clarinet @backunmusical - 2 Fingerings for Altissimo G♯ 1. A simple, yet very effective fingering. It responds well at all 3. A nicely centered, covered and in-tune fingering. dynamics. It has a slightly brighter tone and some players Example: Weber, Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in E♭ Major, Op. 74, may voice it high, but with the variations it remains a versatile Second Mvt. – m57 fingering. Spohr, Clarinet Concerto No. 3, WoO 19, First Mvt. – m81 Example: Messager, Solo de Concours – Cadenza Messager, Solo de Concours – Cadenza 2. This chromatic A can be a little low on the B clarinet. However, ♭ ♭ 4. This fingering works well in scale work. *The C /G key can help it works well on the A clarinet. ♯ ♯ raise the pitch if voicing the note seems low. Example: Ravel, Daphnis et Chloé – Four measures after Rehearsal 219 Example: Messager, Solo de Concours – Cadenza Messager, Solo de Concours – Cadenza Strauss, Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks, Op. 28 – Seven measures after Rehearsal 35 11 11 1a1a1a1a1 11b1b1b1b1a 1a22 221b 1b33 332 244 44 3 3 4 4 BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN Volume 3, Altissimo Range - Altissimo G♯ @backunmusical - 3 Fingerings for Altissimo A 1/1a. Of the two, 1a is preferable for its ability to slur well. Fingering 1a 2a. This fingering works better on the A clarinet. also corrects intonation if a player prefers lighter reeds. Example: Ravel, Daphnis et Chloé – Five measures after Rehearsal 219 Example: Widor, Introduction et Rondo, Op. 72 – Nineteen measures after Più 3. This fingering slurs very well and plays in tune. Depending on Largo the voicing, it can play a little low. Saint-Saëns, Clarinet Sonata, Op. 167, Fourth Mvt. – m105 Example: Rossini, Introduction, Theme and Variations for Clarinet – 2. This is a preferred A fingering for the B♭ clarinet. Three measures before Allegretto Example: Rossini, Theme and Variations for Clarinet, Introduction – Fourteen Bozza, Bucolique – Two measures before Rehearsal 1 measures before Allegretto 1 11 1111a 1a1a1a1a1a2 22 2222a 2a2a2a2a2a3 33 333 4 44 444 BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN Volume 3, Altissimo Range - Altissimo A @backunmusical - 4 Lumière™ The evolution of Backun The Lumière takes the clarinet to a level of breathtaking clarity and focus from the highest altissimo down through the low register. Less is more, as the Lumière flaunts European flair with uncompromising intonation and fluidity. Completely redesigned from the bell up, and the first clarinet to feature the new Backun Scale, this custom clarinet is a perfect match for those who desire the highest quality playing experience in a more traditional French-style instrument. Available in B♭ and A, unstained grenadilla or cocobolo body with gold or silver keywork, or silver keys with gold posts. Volume 3, Altissimo Range - Lumière Clarinet @backunmusical - 5 Fingerings for Altissimo B♭ The next few fingerings are the most sensitive and susceptible to 2. Similar in application to Fingering 1, but easier to slur. voicing variations, embouchure and reed strength. 3. Considered the “Long B♭“ fingering. It is best used in louder dynamics and tends to be direct, centered and bright. 1. This fingering works in most situations, including slurs and dynamic variations. Depending on one’s voicing, minor Example: Weber, Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in E♭ Major, Op. 74, First Mvt. – m241 adjustments for pitch can be achieved with the F♯/C♯ key, or the sliver key. This is notated in Fingering 1a. Example: Weber, Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in E♭ Major, Op. 74, First Mvt. – m241 Spohr, Clarinet Concerto No. 2, Op. 57, First Mvt. – Eighteen measures before end of mvt. Martino, A Set for Clarinet, First Mvt. (1a with F♯/C♯ key) 11111 11a1a1a1a1a 1a22222 233333 3 BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN Volume 3, Altissimo Range - Altissimo B♭ @backunmusical - 6 Q Series™ Classic feel and playability The Q Series clarinet offers those who prefer a more traditional French-style instrument the chance to experience the world of Backun. We combine modern manufacturing techniques and treatments, including a carbon fibre middle joint ring, with naturally unstained grenadilla wood and brilliant silver-plated keywork to produce an instrument with truly familiar feel and playability. An affordable masterpiece, the Q Series is the classic choice. Available in B♭ and A, unstained grenadilla body, silver keywork. Volume 3, Altissimo Range - Q Series Clarinet @backunmusical - 7 Fingerings for Altissimo B 1. The standard fingering. Responds well, but tends to be sharp. 4. More secure than Fingering 3, this is a good, solid fingering that Example: Martino, A Set for Clarinet, First Mvt. responds well, especially on wide leaps. This fingering is perfect for slurring up to altissimo B. You can also play this without the 1a. Similar to Fingering 1, this is less resistant but well focused. A♭/E♭ key if the intonation is too high, but doing so will increase 2. A warmer quality fingering that is lower in intonation. the resistance. 3. A fingering that is in tune and easy to slur up to, it has a darker quality, which makes it easy to match the flutes in orchestral playing. The optional G# will give you a quicker response, but will make the note sharper. Example: Berg, Wozzeck, Final Scene 111 11 1 1a1a1a1a1a 1a222 22 3332 33 444 434 4a4a4a4a4a BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN BACKUN Volume 3, Altissimo Range - Altissimo B @backunmusical - 8 Alpha™ March to your own beat The Alpha Clarinet is crafted from an ideal blend of synthetic materials for maximum resonance and durability. Designed to be the optimal indoor and outdoor student clarinet, it is at home in the classroom, on the concert stage, or on the marching field.