Klarinet Archive - Posting 000482.txt from 1999/10

From: "Benjamin Maas" <benmaas@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Altissimo on bass clarinet
Date: Sat, 16 Oct 1999 19:11:12 -0400

> I know there's some book out there with like, 118 fingerings for bass
> altissimo (it's not the Ridenour, but that's an excellent one of Bb, btw),
> and I can't recall who wrote it. Basically, experimenting with a tuner
> and a good ear can find you LOTS of usable fingerings. One trick I
> ESPECIALLY like is used for the first part of the altissimo - c# to f#.
> Instead of just fingering as you would on clarinet, i over blow the throat
> Ab, A, and Bb fingerings, and add trill keys to that. It's a not really
> controllable below forte, so I use them in loud situations (Pines of Rome
> is a good example, or the altissimo Es concluding Rhapsody in Blue).
>

I will second the suggestion for 3rd partial fingerings. However, that only
takes you up to high F. With enough practice and a flexible embouchure, it
is possible to play them soft. It just isn't real easy.

High notes like these are fairly common in contemporary music. so here are
the ones I can remember right off hand....

Others:
D: Octave key (OK) and LH 2
Eb: OK, G#, LH 2
E: OK, A, LH2
F#: Th, OK, 1/2 hole, 2, RH1, 2, 3, and Eb
G: TH, OK 1/2 hole, 3, RH 1, 3, Eb
G: TH, OK, 1, RH 1,2,3
G#: TH,OK no LH, RH: 1,2,3
A: TH, OK1/2, 2,3, RH C#
Bb: Open
B: Th, OK, 1/2, 2, RH 1,2 Eb
C: TH, OK, 1/2, RH 1
C#: TH OK, 2, 3, RH 2,3
D#: TH OK, 2,3 RH 3

Hope this is a good start. These fingerings were used on a Buffet R-13
Prestige Low C bass from about 1991 or so... (Only has 1 low D key)

> I haven't seen the Buffet fingering chart, but I'll look into purchasing
> one. It sounds like an excellent resource.

I had one long ago, it is really good. If you can find one, let the list
know where you got it. I'd like to purchase another one.

--Ben

Benjamin Maas
Freelance Clarinetist and Recording Engineer
Los Angeles, CA
benmaas@-----.com
http://www.fifthcircle.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org