Klarinet Archive - Posting 000311.txt from 1997/11

From: YeomanHuff@-----.com
Subj: Re: Bass clarinets and The Short.
Date: Fri, 7 Nov 1997 20:08:33 -0500

In a message dated 97-11-07 14:15:13 EST, dap@-----.net writes:

<< Stephen,
If you're at all serious about bass clarinet, get the low C model.
The extended range is used in the orchestral world. It does not affect the
tone color of the low F, E, Eb. Before you look for a good bass make sure
you have a good (great) mouthpiece. It doesn't make sense to spend a
couple of thousand dollars on a new pro model bass and NOT get the extended
range.

Dan >>

Dan,

I'm jumping in on Stephen's questions because I am looking into bass
clarinets myself.

My main concern about the low C horns it this: I have small hands (not
ridiculously small, but kind-of small), and I found that the one low C I've
played on (It was a Selmer of some sort) was extremely cumbersome and
physically difficult for me to play with all the extra mechanism. I was
wondering if it was just that this particular horn (a school instrument)
might have been a pig, or if most are more awkward than the horns to Eb.
I've also played on a borrowed Buffet not-to-low-C bass and found it to be
beautiful... But then it was owned by my teacher and in great shape... Oh,
I also had to stretch my bach or sit in higher chairs to play the low C horn.

I'd appreciate comments and suggestions from those of smaller proportions.
:)

Teri Herel.