Klarinet Archive - Posting 001266.txt from 1997/10

From: Grant Green <gdgreen@-----.com>
Subj: Re: New keys and sub-contra-bass
Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 17:21:05 -0500

>Date: Tue, 26 Aug 1997 15:24:21 -0700
>From: H@-----.net>
>Subject: New keys and sub-contra-bass
>
>I am experimenting with a new type of "key-design" and have to ask if=20
>there is anybody who is interested. It will take a couple of years=20
>before it is fully constructed, and then I intend to patent the idea. It=20
>will be a totaly new whay of mechanism. The fingering can remain the=20
>same if one would like to, but one could by this mechanism apply what=20
>ever fingering system there is to musical instruments. If you play the=20
>flute but would like to switch to clarinet one could with this mechanism=20
>easily do this and apply the flute fingerings to the clarinet.=20
>Everything that is possible w. todays mechanisms and much more will be=20
>possible - always easy trills etc. The main "problem" is the esthetical=20
>apperance of this system, but I have to work that out later. This idea=20
>would work best with bass-woodwinds.

As a patent attorney and contrabass fanatic, I have to say I'm intrigued.
Part of me wants to ask for all the details of your keywork mechanism, and
part of me wants to advise you to keep it completely secret until you've
filed your patent application. You may want to do a patent search before
you spend too much time on the invention: one frequently finds that its
already been done.

>I also have a wild idea about starting to make=20
>octo-contra-bass-clarinets (it's on the drawingboard) of wood - S shaped=20
>design. I am at least going to make one for myself (but it will ofcourse=20
>take a couple of years to finish. I guess I could start and make more if=20
>there would be an interest. I would guess an instrument in Rosewood,=20
>Imbuya, Cherry, or Maple and silver would be about $35000-$40000 and up=20
>and take 3-5 year to make (If I don't get a lot of response of people=20
>who would like to have sub-contras - then I could for sure do it full=20
>time). I have to say that this instrument will only have a range to low=20
>E or Eb - lower notes will not be possibly to hear Eb being 19.445Hz and=20
>E 20.602Hz (if tuned A 440Hz). There is in fact music written for this=20
>instrument, and deep organ music could be played with a more "alive"=20
>tone.
>H=E5kan Lundberg

This is a thought I've toyed with myself. I was (am?) considering starting
with PVC tubing, which, if it is available in the right inside diameter,
should be easier to work than hardwood. Haven't decided if I should do
metal rods and posts (traditional design), or something like servo-operated
keys (which is then just a wiring problem).

One thought about the range: the BBBb octocontrabass and EEEb
octocontra-alto were both made with range to low (written) C. Since the
composer who wrote for those horns had the opportunity to play Leblanc's
prototypes, he may have scored for the whole range. It would be a shame to
build a new octocontrabass/alto, only to find that it didn't have the range
for the only works composed for it!

Grant Green

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Grant D. Green gdgreen@-----.com
www.contrabass.com Just filling in on sarrusophone
Contrabass email list: contrabass-list@-----.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

   
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