Klarinet Archive - Posting 001029.txt from 2003/04

From: Dan Leeson <leeson0@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Attn, Dan; was, Basset/Alto
Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2003 00:46:05 -0400

I have almost no experience playing alto clarinet. The only one I did
pay was the basset horn in F which I consider an also clarinet because
of its bore size and the fact that it uses an alto clarinet mouthpiece.
So I'm qualified to comment on the instrument personally.

When I have heard a Buffet or LeBlanc basset horn play, I hear a very
lovely sound when played well but I don't find that it has the character
of a basset horn. Specifically, it is not plaintive enough for my tastes.

It is only partially a joke that the basset horn is said to be to music
what the basset hound is to dogdom. The basset horn is supposed to have
that kind of a tragic, plaintive sound, though that may be more in my
imagination than anything else. It is a sound character that I find it
difficult to identify on those basset horns that have the wide bore.

On the other hand, I would be very hesitant to do a blindfold test to
see if I could detect the difference.

I have been playing narrow and medium bore basset horns all my life, so
I lean to them from inclincation as much as my perception of sound
character. Besides, I don't find playing on an alto clarinet mouthpiece
to be an enjoyable thing. The larger the mouthpiece, the more
difficulty I have in playing in a refined fashion. That was also true
of the bass clarinet where I felt that I never played in a refined way,
even in my best days. I just could not control anthing that big in my
mouth.

Dan

Patricia A. Smith wrote:
> Dan Leeson wrote:
>
>> Patricia, I read your note below several times and I am having trouble
>> grasping at the central issue that you are asking be addressed.
>>
>> Could you please restate your question in simpler terms?
>
>
> Dan, I did snippage on all the extra stuff. Here is the question,
> restated:
>
> Dan, you have made mention of the fact that when using descriptions of
> sound quality, one must be able to back up these descriptions with
> quatifiable facts. (At least that is how I understand what you have
> written. If I am incorrect I apologize!)
>
> At any rate, you have extensive experience performing on the basset
> horn, and have owned several. You also have extensive knowledge of other
> members of the clarinet family, including the alto clarinet.
>
> Given the following bore measurments, what, if anything, can they tell
> us of the characteristics of the sounds of these two instruments? I was
> quite surprised, by the way, to find that the alto clarinet had larger
> bore measurments.
>
>> Selmer Model 25 F Basset Horn. .621" bore, range to low C, 21 keys --
>> 7 covered finger holes, floor peg, played with standard Selmer (Paris)
>> Bb clarinet mouthpiece.
>>
>> For comparison, the Model 22 Eb Alto Clarinet has a .668 bore.
>
>
>
> Thanks for taking a look at these measurements. If they say nothing
> about sound characteristics, then they say nothing. That's okay with
> me. I'm simply interested, given some of the similarities of the two
> instruments.
>
> Patricia Smith
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> Klarinet is supported by Woodwind.Org, http://www.woodwind.org/
>
>

--
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**Dan Leeson **
**leeson0@-----.net **
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Klarinet is supported by Woodwind.Org, http://www.woodwind.org/