I finally have a chance to play the complete Suite of Gordon Jacob for my LRSM exam. For years I have played only single movements, but never the whole thing.

I have a small problem though. My teacher and I have different views on whether you are allowed to play some movements on the treble and some on the sopranino or that you have to play the complete work - apart from the Tarantella - on the treble.

Personally, I prefer to play the faster movements, like the English Dance and the Burlesca alla Rumba on the sopranino. It makes the movements sound very bright and lively. On a technical point, it is also much easier to reach the high F# on my sopranino.

Can someone pleese tell me if swapping from treble to sporanino is allowed in an exam like the LRSM? Perhaps there is someone out there who has played this Suite like this? I can't see why there would be a problem with that as the treble and the sopranino are practically identical. The only difference being the size.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I have only performed it as written. When you perform the piece with strings (original scoring) then you see how the tone colours of different instruments work together. I imagine (it's a long time since I played it) that you also run the risk of inverting some of the harmonies...

Sorry this isn't much help - my comments may not apply if you are playing with piano... Don't have the music to hand to check

W

Thanks for your very quick reply! You make a very good point, haven't thought about that. I am (unfortunately!) playing with piano only. I hope to one day play with strings.

I've only heard it done with strings - but I'd stick to treble for everything bar the last bit too. Will admit to being biased, though; I find the sopranino painful to listen to. Thinking seriously for a moment - the musician I heard playing the Jacob practises the sopranino bit with ear-defenders on - exposure to that high pitch for prolonged periods of time will damage your hearing - if your ears are buzzing after practice, that's a warning, and if they used to buzz but don't any more, it's already done some harm .

If you play the sopranino a lot, you can get off the shelf or custom made ear plugs which take out the harmful frequencies without distorting the sound too much - may be worth looking into.

I don't "do" the little recorders too shrieky for me (though not as bad as picc )