Klarinet Archive - Posting 000090.txt from 2001/09

From: Tony@-----.uk (Tony Pay)
Subj: RE: [kl] Re: James Sclater on horn pitches
Date: Tue, 4 Sep 2001 16:32:21 -0400

On Tue, 4 Sep 2001 13:21:34 -0500, LacyS@-----.org said:

> Yes, that is basically what the article said! Thank you, Tony. But out
> of pure curiosity, why didn't this catch on and why don't we use these
> today? It seems like a very effective way of changing the instrument's
> pitch. Before all this, several years ago I had actually wondered why
> clarinets didn't come with attachments like these. But, alors! New
> information! So, how well in tune did the one you used play? Did you
> enjoy it? How was the timbre in relation to what is commonly used today?
> I'm really curious about this.

Both instruments play quite well in tune. But when I had a copy of a
Grenser made, I insisted on having two complete instruments -- in other
words, that I had a duplicate version, and perhaps a slightly longer
version, of the lowest joint, so that I could keep that always attached
to the 'A' upper joint.

One of the reasons is that it's quite hard to make a quick switch
between Bb and A with a corps de rechange.

I don't think you could do it with a modern instrument because of the
complicated keywork. And anyway, why bother, if you can get the
acoustics better the other way?

Tony
--
_________ Tony Pay
|ony:-) 79 Southmoor Rd Tony@-----.uk
| |ay Oxford OX2 6RE GMN artist: http://www.gmn.com
tel/fax 01865 553339

... 66MHz ain't fast enough!

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