Reed 2 comments: The bass clarinet has a decent number of notes below Eb, so a low C bass is highly desirable; taking the notes up an octave would not be ideal. Two other things re: bass – the score calls for entering cold on an altissimo note (D#, D, C#) several times in one of the numbers, and it’s quite exposed. Also, while there is a lot of important bass clarinet, it’s all in Act 1; you can pack it up at intermission.
The book overall is a fairly even split. I’d estimate very roughly 50% clarinet, 25% tenor sax, 25% bass clarinet. There are some very fast switches, but they give you heads-up in the score.
Technically, it’s pretty easy but a fun book to play.
Added based on information received from Deborah Avery, reed 1 in the Broadway production.
Reed 2 comments: The bass clarinet has a decent number of notes below Eb, so a low C bass is highly desirable; taking the notes up an octave would not be ideal. Two other things re: bass – the score calls for entering cold on an altissimo note (D#, D, C#) several times in one of the numbers, and it’s quite exposed. Also, while there is a lot of important bass clarinet, it’s all in Act 1; you can pack it up at intermission.
The book overall is a fairly even split. I’d estimate very roughly 50% clarinet, 25% tenor sax, 25% bass clarinet. There are some very fast switches, but they give you heads-up in the score.
Technically, it’s pretty easy but a fun book to play.
Added rental version as a new listing. Thanks!