Scales for Clarinet?

Question

Can you give me the sharps/flats for each of these scales....and tell me what notes they start on.(Clarinet only, please.)

F
C
G
Bb

(just to make sure)
thanks.

Answer 1

Clarinet is a transposing instrument in Bb. If the band director calls for a scale for the band, such as Bb concert (you can assume concert if he's talking to the whole band), then you go up two half steps to find which scale you play on clarinet.

example: Bb concert - go up to B then to C (two half steps) and start on C. The major scale on C has no sharps or flats.

Now, make sure you're clear on that first. If a scale is called for the band, you (and the trumpets and tenor sax) have to go up two half steps to find your scale.

The following are in concert pitch:
F = g a b c d e f# g
C = d e f# g a b c# d
G = a b c# d e f# g# a
Bb = c d e f g a b c

The following are untransposed:
F = f g a Bb c d e f (concert Eb)
C = c d e f g a b c (concert Bb)
G = g a b c d e f# g (concert F)
Bb = Bb c d Eb f g a Bb (concert Ab)

What you have to distinguish here is whether you're playing Bb concert scale (which you must transpose for your instrument) or Bb scale which is simply the Bb scale. In a band or orchestra class, assume concert scale; otherwise you and the flutes will be playing different notes.

BTW - you may as well learn all of those above... ☺

Answer 2

The first answer is assuming that the scales you give are concert-pitch scales, and has converted them to clarinet pitch. Some of them are wrong anyway.

I'm assuming that you're giving the scales exactly as they are on clarinet.

F Major = B flat
C Major = no sharps or flats
G Major = F sharp
B flat Major = B flat, E flat

They all start on the note which is the name of the scale. F Major starts on F, etc.

Answer 3

F is our (clarinets) G. Start on a G and has an F sharp
Bb is out C. Starts on a C and no sharps or flats.
G is our F. Start on an F and has a Bb.
Not sure about C but I think its out D and has an F sharp and A sharp.

Best of luck.
(Pretty sure about those)