Klarinet Archive - Posting 000532.txt from 2003/02

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Orchestral rep for Contra Bass Clarinet
Date: Wed, 19 Feb 2003 12:56:10 -0500

In a message dated 2/19/2003 11:30:04 AM Eastern Standard Time, reedman@-----.com writes:

> Walter Piston - Symphony #3 - The 2nd movement has a bass clarinet part that goes to low Bb (written specifically for an instrument owned by Rosario Mazzeo), but must be played on an EEb contra bass.>>

Oh no...do I have to extend my extended bass down to Bb? I didn't know! Seriously, is it possible to put a paper towel cardboard tube in the bell or something like that to extend the pitch downward? (Have to be a long one, I would guess, to get a whole step.)
>
> Schoenberg- Five Orchestra Pieces (Contra bass clarinet
> in A !!!)

I think I mentioned on here before that playing this piece on contra was one of my first preofeesinal gigs. It was a nightmare, trying the get a 50 year old contra to play in the first place, then to decipher the notes. I must have managed, though, I did get hired back!

Welcome back from Texas, Clark. Some folks I know from here in Chicago saw you there!

Walter
www.clarinetxpress.com

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