Klarinet Archive - Posting 000892.txt from 1997/10

From: ROBERT HOWE <arehow@-----.net>
Subj: Re: Looking for Bass Clarinet in A
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 1997 07:42:41 -0400

I have alto (Buffet), bass (Cabart, anon.), contraalto (Selmer) and
contrabass (LeBlanc) clairnets and an alto Sax (Buffet) with double
register keys. These were standard (on the clarinets) until WW2, and
are much simpler to regulateand build. THe register key regulation on
my Buffet Prestige is the only real weakness on the horn. The double
touch-piece bass clarinets are dreadful ergonomically, as stated, but
can be fine, fine horns. Jazzer Mike Marcus ONLY uses such a Buffet
bass because of its sound and ability to use the "wrong" vent for
special sounds. Linnea Nereim used such a Buffet Bb bass in the
Clevelnad Orch for a short time in the early 90s.

Bassoonists can do amazing thumb things.....why not clarinet players??

Robert Howe

Roger Garrett wrote: they DID make bass clarinets with two octave
> keys: one to use through about E, and the other to go beyond. It is easy
> to see why this system never won any prizes for ergonomic design! Modern
> instruments make this switch automatically, freeing bass clarinet players
> from the onerous task of growing two left thumbs.