Klarinet Archive - Posting 000114.txt from 1998/06

From: Grant Green <gdgreen@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Higher notes on the Contrabass?
Date: Wed, 3 Jun 1998 13:58:19 -0400

At 08:52 AM 6/2/98 +0200, you wrote:
>I have a question about higher notes on the Contrabass clarinet.
>A few months ago I repaired a Leblanc 342 straight Contrabass clarinet.
>The non-oktave key register sounded as expected, but the higher register
>with octave key went completely out of tune above g.
>(left hand fingers closed + octave key).
>Is this normal for this type of instrument?
>Is high playing on Contrabasses on all brands more ore less the same?

Sounds to me like a bad mpc (or choice of mpc), or bad combination of reed
and mpc. Contras (at least the Leblanc 340s I've played) have a tendency
to go flat above the G above the staff, but nothing that can't be cured
with a stiff reed and good embouchure. Perhaps the octave mechanism needs
regulation, or both octave vents cleaned out?

It *is* possible to play the upper registers of the contra: I find myself
playing up to D or E above the staff fairly often (mainly when reading off
bass or Eb contra parts, and transposing to get the pitch indicated).

Grant

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

---------------------------------------------------------------------
For additional commands, e-mail: klarinet-help@-----.org
For other problems, e-mail: klarinet-owner@-----.org