Klarinet Archive - Posting 001056.txt from 2003/04

From: Dan Leeson <leeson0@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Attn, Dan; was, Basset/Alto
Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2003 00:46:32 -0400

I don't know about the mouthpiece being specifically designed for the
basset horn because I am using a B-flat clarinet mouthpiece. Keep in
mind that the basset horn is a soprano clarinet that descends to low
written C. In Mozart's day it was simply an attempt to have an
instrument that would allow a clarinet choir, what with the soprano
clarinets in B-flat or A or C, and the basset horn in F.

Dan

Patricia A. Smith wrote:
> Dan Leeson wrote:
>
>> I have almost no experience playing alto clarinet. The only one I did
>> play was the basset horn in F which I consider an alto 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.
>
>
> and
>
>> I should have said, "I am NOT qualified to speak about the alto
>> clarinet."
>
> >The mistakes one makes when in a rush are disgraceful
>
>
>> 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.
>
>
> Now, I think I've got an idea - despite my earlier denseness - obviously
> the alto IS in a lower key by ½ step, as Gary Van Cott pointed out to me.
>
> It must be the mouthpiece, then, that makes the difference, as much as
> or even moreso than the bore size of the two instruments in sound
> quality - you said it with these words, Dan:
>
>> 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.
>>
>
> Size DOES matter! At least when it comes to mouthpieces. Maybe what
> the real problem is with alto clarinets is not particularly the
> instruments themselves, but the beastly mouthpieces that those of us who
> attempt to play the beasts utilize with them! 8-O
>
> So not only would a true basset horn have a much smaller bore than the
> LeBlanc instruments whose measurements I cited earlier, it also would
> NOT utilize an alto clarinet mouthpiece, but a mouthpiece designed
> SPECIFICALLY FOR a basset horn. Is that true?
>
> The plot thickens.
>
> Patricia Smith
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> Klarinet is supported by Woodwind.Org, http://www.woodwind.org/
>
>

--
***************************
**Dan Leeson **
**leeson0@-----.net **
***************************

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