Klarinet Archive - Posting 000076.txt from 1997/03

From: Roger Shilcock
Subj: Re: How many kinds are there? (fwd)
Date: Mon, 3 Mar 1997 04:08:23 -0500

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sun, 2 Mar 1997 17:29:08 -0600
From: Edwin V. Lacy <el2%EVANSVILLE.EDU@-----.UK>
Subject: Re: How many kinds are there?

On Sun, 2 Mar 1997, Kathi A wrote:

> A, Bb, Eb, C, D, alto, bass.....how many types of clarinets are there?

Just from memory, without consulting any reference materials, here is an
attempt at an answer to this question, which may at least serve as a basis
for compiling a more complete list.

>From highest to lowest:

Ab Sopranino, Eb Soprano, D Soprano, C Soprano, Bb Soprano, A Soprano,
Basset horn in F, Alto in Eb, Bass in C, Bass in Bb, Bass in A,
Contra-alto in Eb, Contra-bass in Bb. I'm sure there have been still
larger ones constructed as at least single examples. In addition, there
are other types, some formerly considered obsolete but now being built as
reproductions of historic instruments, such as the Basset clarinet in A.

That might serve to start a list....

Ed Lacy
el2@-----.edu
There are also "sub-soprano" clarinets in G, especially in Turkey, and
this was also the usual key for the extinct clarinette d'amour. Clarinets
in B natural have also been written for - this probably manifested itself
as a C clarinet with corps de rechange, i.e., extra bits of tube.
Basset horns in G also pretty certainly existed around 1800, and altos in
F , i.e., without the basset extension; perversely enough, these were
called "tenor clarinets".
Roger Shilcock