Klarinet Archive - Posting 000299.txt from 1994/02

From: "Jay Heiser, Product Manager, Govt Systems" <jayh@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Big A
Date: Mon, 21 Feb 1994 10:51:03 -0500

-->From sco.sco.com!vtbit.cc.vt.edu!vccscent.bitnet!klarinet Mon Feb 21 09:03:43
1994
-->Date: Mon, 21 Feb 1994 08:42:03 EST
-->Reply-To: Klarinet - Clarinettist's Network
<KLARINET%VCCSCENT.BITNET@-----.EDU>
-->Sender: Klarinet - Clarinettist's Network
<KLARINET%VCCSCENT.BITNET@-----.EDU>
-->From: "Dr. Ronald P. Monsen" <RPMONS00@-----.EDU>
-->Subject: Re: Big A
-->To: Multiple recipients of list KLARINET
<KLARINET%VCCSCENT.BITNET@-----.EDU>
-->In-Reply-To: Message of Fri, 18 Feb 1994 12:17:03 -0500 from <jayh@-----.COM>
-->Message-ID: <9402210612.aa09492@-----.COM>
-->
-->The idea as it was explained to me--was--that the extra length for the low A
-->on the alto would somehow improve the low register--something the beloved
-->Mk VI was not particularily good at. Everyone thought it was a great idea
-->but it never took off. They are rare--when I first started teaching college
-->students I would get them a new MkVI alto with optional f#--tre-pak case,
-->cover, Teal mouthpiece and or/appropriate jazz mouthpiece from a dealer in
-->South Dakota. The students bought this package for $600.00 delivered. Of
-->course this may make me really old--but then you could be a VW bug right off
-->the transporter for $1750.00. Ron Monsen

I've never played an alto with Low-A, but based on some limited
experience on Low A baris (& Gerry Mulligan's opinion), I have
to say that I have my doubts about the extra length improving
the low register.

A clarinet, on the other hand, doesn't seem to be adversly affected
by the extra length. Bass Cl players seem to compete on who's
is longest. Anyone feel that an extra key or two adversly affects
the tone of a bass clarinet?

Most floutists (me included) would feel self-conscious w/o the
B-foot, but I'm not convinced that it actually improves tone.
The gizmo key does help the double-high C speak better though.

Note that the Selmer Trepack doesn't provide the room for either
a B-foot or an open hole flute (which has a longer body joint).
There's room in the compartment for both a flute AND picc, and
I wish I could get a tray to fit them.

My Mark VII cost about $750 in 1977 and is worth double that now.
Those who paid $600 for Mark VIs have quadrupled their money.
I had to mow a lot of lawns to pay for my half.
======================================
Garden Status:
Started pruning the grapes.
Getting the courage up to prune my
fruit trees (I'm a virgin)