Klarinet Archive - Posting 000291.txt from 2002/12

From: "Joseph Wakeling" <joseph.wakeling@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Basset Horns
Date: Thu, 12 Dec 2002 10:56:42 -0500

Dan Leeson wrote:

<< The mouthpiece you played on was, effectively, an alto clarinet
mouthpiece and the instrument itself was a wide bored model. Buffet left the
narrow bore model precisely because it was (when made by them)
characteristically stuffy, as you noted. >>

When you say "wide-bore" is that wide as in Leblanc-wide, or wide as in
"medium-bore"?

Actually I'm hoping that list members can give me some advice on all the
different (Boehm-system) basset horns out there. In particular I'd like to
know - what are the bores, and also, what are the *fingering systems*.

My impression is that most have,
- a low Eb for the RH little finger (lower level)
- a low D on the upper level of keys for the same finger
- another low D for the LH little finger
- an alternate Ab/Eb key
- two or three thumb keys for low C, C# (and D, possibly).

Is this correct and does anyone have any recommendations for alternative,
"better" setups? ;-) Bearing in mind that I'll want it to be compatible
with my bass clarinet setup when I finally get round to buying one.

In case it isn't obvious, yes, I'm thinking of buying a basset horn. ;-)

Thanks in advance,

-- Joe

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