Klarinet Archive - Posting 001377.txt from 2000/10

From: Shouryunus Sarcasticii <jnohe@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] contra question
Date: Sun, 29 Oct 2000 13:40:03 -0500

On Sun, 29 Oct 2000 BMcclel@-----.com wrote:

> I have a question. I went to a surplus auction yesterday with a friend of
> mine that owns a music store. He ended up with the whole lot. well in it
> was 2 contras both are metal LeBlanc
>
> the first has a removable bell and neck sn# 397
>
> the second is alot taller and comes apart inthe middle sn# CB100
>
> the mothpiece fits in both. Is the smaller a contra alto anf the taller a
> contra bass?

I can't say for certain, but my first educated guess would say that you
are right. I've not played a LeBlanc C-alto, only a straight LeBlanc
C-bass, which, as you pointed out, comes apart in the middle. LeBlanc
C-basses with extension are not straight instruments (and therefore do not
come apart). At a rough guess, a straight C-bass to Eb should stand
(minus the peg) somewhere between 5'8 and 6'0 (I have to guesstimate
because w/the peg it's a few inches taller than me, and I have no clue as
to how high I've pegged it, other than 'high enough to reach my mouth').

It would make sense that the metal horn that doesn't break is a C-alto -
you can probably sit down and play it (you may need some books either on
the chair or under the horn, though). If you can sit and play the smaller
instrument (with perhaps ... 4-6 inches of adjustment to either your
position or the horn's), then it's most likely an C-alto.

J. Shouryu Nohe
http://web.nmsu.edu/~jnohe
Professor of SCSM102, New Mexico State Univ.
"Never put passion before principle. Even when win, you lose."
-Miyagi-san, KKpt.II

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