Klarinet Archive - Posting 001067.txt from 1998/12

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Basset horn vs. basset clarinet
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 23:47:13 -0500

At 09:47 AM 12/28/98 -0800, Gary Van Cott wrote:
>The basset horn is pitched in F (below the range of soprano clarinets and
>just above the alto clarinet). Many of the recently manufactured
>instruments have a bore size similar to an alto clarinet, which some claim
>does not make them a true basset horn. "Traditional" basset horns had a
>bore size similar to a soprano clarinet, which gives them a unique sound,
>but (I have read on the klarinet list) makes them difficult to play. The
>range of the basset horn extends down to low C.
>
>The term "basset clarinet" generally refers to an A clarinet with a range
>down to low C. However, there is at least one opera that calls for a
>basset clarinet in Bb. So it might be proper to say that a basset clarinet
>is a soprano clarinet with a range extended below Eb.
>
Would it then be reasonably accurate to say that a basset clarinet is a
basset horn pitched in A (or possibly Bb)? Or am I missing some obscure
detail?

Bill Hausmann bhausman@-----.com
451 Old Orchard Drive http://www.concentric.net/~bhausman
Essexville, MI 48732 http://members.wbs.net/homepages/z/o/o/zoot14.html
ICQ UIN 4862265

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is too loud.

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