Klarinet Archive - Posting 000997.txt from 1998/10

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Basset Questions
Date: Fri, 23 Oct 1998 03:37:53 -0400

> From: MX%"klarinet@-----.10
> Subj: Re: [kl] Basset Questions

Well, both men are knowledgeable and respected acousticians. Nothing
they said conflicts in any way with what I said which was, the bore
of a basset horn is too narrow and the instrument is acoustically
defective because of this. That is exactly why LeBlanc came out
with an alto clarinet in F.

> I have talked with O.Lee Gibson and Tom Ridenour, and read what they have to say on the
> subject of optimum bore size. I also have made my own observations and experiments.
> I have concluded that the optimum bore for a given key of clarinet is determined by the
> perfection of the middle twelfths. The interval Bb-F is the ideal example. Play a low
> Bb then open the register key and don't change your embouchure. If the needle on your
> tuner doesn't move the bore is the right diameter. If the interval is too large [ the
> F is relatively sharp to the Bb] the bore is too small. If the interval is too small
> the bore is too large. Get this middle twelfth interval right and a very large part of
> a clarinet's intonation and, believe it or not, tone problems are solved. I'm a
> machinist and have actually manipulated bores. What I write is true. Harrumph!
>
> What does this have to do with our Basset Horn discussion? Everything! The bore of
> those original basset horns was too damned small for their length. That's why most
> players prefer playing on those glorified Alto clarinets in F. A classical, small
> bored basset horn has that funky real basset horn sound but it's an acoustical mess!
>
> Ed Maurey
>
> Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.edu wrote:
>
> > > From: MX%"klarinet@-----.65
> > > Subj: RE: [kl] Basset Questions
> >
> > > On Thu, 22 Oct 1998, Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.edu wrote:
> > > > > Is it accurate (but simplified) to say that a basset clarinet is just an A
> > > > > clarinet extended to low C, and a basset horn is an Eb alto clarinet extended
> > > > > to low C?
> > > >
> > > > Per the above comments, is is not accurate to state this.
> > >
> > > Well, actually, according to your own statements, yes it is. The Leblanc
> > > and Buffet instruments really have slight dimensional differences, but
> > > very slight. I play and blow through the Buffet Alto Clarinet and the
> > > Buffet Basset horns the exact same ways - same voicing, same pitch
> > > issues......???
> > >
> > > Same with the Basset Clarinet vs. A clarinet for Buffet. So, it is
> > > simplified, and somewhat accurate to state generally what is above. Is it
> > > exactly correct.....no.....and that may be what Dan is saying (or what I
> > > hope he is saying).
> >
> > I haven't very much of an idea of what you said in the above. What I
> > stated was, I believe, absolutely accurate. Namely this:
> >
> > It is incorrect to suggest that a basset horn is simply
> > an E-flat clarinet extended to low C. I mean no disrespect
> > to either Buffet or LeBlanc but they don't make basset horns.
> > They make alto clarinets in F with extensions down to low
> > C and they call them basset horns. They are marvellous
> > instruments, beautifully in tune, wonderful to play, a joy
> > to listen to. But they are not basset horns. They sound
> > like basset horns to a considerable degree but the bore size
> > difference cannot be dismissed. More important than the
> > bore size (in my opinion) is the fact that the larger bored
> > instrument requires an alto clarinet mouthpiece and that does
> > affect the character of the sound far more than the bore
> > size. It is true that a basset horn's narrow bore presents
> > the player with a host of problems. I'm not dismissing them.
> > But they are basset horn problems, not alto clarinet in F
> > problems.
> >
> > I am confident that neither LeBlanc nor Buffet would agree
> > with my view of this, but they sell the instruments and
> > thus their position on this sort of thing has to be looked
> > at with a grain of salt. But both manufacturers make
> > wonderful, melifluous, alto clarinets in F that descend to
> > low C.
> >
> > >
> > > > > For those who have played basset instruments, does the longer air column make
> > > > > it more difficult to play those very low notes? Does the longer tube affect
> > > > > the sound of the horn? For example, do clarion register notes on a basset
> > > > > clarinet sound different than the same notes on an A clarinet?
> > >
> > > Only on a few notes.....as with the extension of a bass clarinet. The
> > > short Buffet Bass Clarinet and the extended bass clarinet have the same
> > > feel EXCEPT on a couple of notes that are negatively affected by the
> > > extension on the latter.
> > >
> > > > If one is playing a basset horn, the narrow bore presents a variety of
> > > > problems including a tendency to squeak, intonation difficulties, and
> > > > a few other things such as mouthpiece selection. But there is no
> > > > difficulty in playing the low notes on a b.h. They speak beautifully.
> > >
> > > I just measured my Buffet Basset Horn......the bore is not even close to
> > > the same size as an A clarinet bore - did I misunderstand what you said?
> > >
> > > > German: It means "little bass."
> > >
> > > Finally! So nice to have it stated for the record.....I am cutting and
> > > pasting to my syllubus materials as we speak!
> > >
> > > Roger Garrett
> > > IWU
> > >
> > >
> > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > >
> > =======================================
> > Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
> > leeson@-----.edu
> > =======================================
> >
> > -------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
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Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
leeson@-----.edu
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