Klarinet Archive - Posting 000059.txt from 1995/10

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Bob Spring's B clarinet
Date: Wed, 4 Oct 1995 15:28:32 -0400

On Wed, 4 Oct 1995, Mike Lockhart wrote:

> I too am curious as to what high-pitch vs low-pitch means relative to the same
> (?) instrument? I recently obtained a c-Melody sax which has "low-pitch"
> engraved on the body. I have been told that high-pitch C-melody's are "a dime
> a dozen", but to avoid them as it is impossible to tune them to a piano?
>
But at the school where I teach, we have a Conn bass saxophone from about
1918 which is marked "low pitch," and it is a little more than a quarter
tone flat to A-440. To play it in an ensemble, you have to pull the
mouthpiece out as far as possible, use a soft reed, and transpose
everything up a half-step. As the band usually plays in keys like F and
Bb, therefore putting the bass sax in G or C, that means you have to play
in G# or C# major. Not too much fun, I assure you (from experience).

Ed Lacy
el2@-----.edu