Klarinet Archive - Posting 000096.txt from 1993/12

From: Cary Karp <nrm-karp@-----.SE>
Subj: Re: Why the choice of Bb and Eb instead of C and F (or G)?
Date: Tue, 7 Dec 1993 12:03:56 -0500

On Tue, 7 Dec 1993, Dr. Ronald P. Monsen wrote:

> Though this is a clinet list--I may add that the saxophone family was designed
> along the Eb-Bb line and the F-C line. The F-C grouping for use in orchestral
> settings. It never worked out--talk to a so called C melody saxophonist.

The C-F sax family never caught on, but the C melody saxophone sure did.
The historical record is unambiguous about this. Also, there are a good
number of present day saxophonists who seem to like the C melody just
fine and many seriously feel that it will make a comeback. I can think
of at least one knock-your-socks-off presently available solo CD.

The contemporary headache with the F & C saxophones is that although
instruments may be found (C's are common, F's are rare) suitable
mouthpieces are rarer than hen's teeth. I'd guess that the "so-called
C melody saxophonists" differ from the real thing in direct proportion
to their degree of success in solving this problem.

Apropos the subject of this message, I'm also quite enamored of my C
clarinet. They were in more widespread use through to the 1930's than
many people realize, albeit not on the orchestral stage.

   
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