Klarinet Archive - Posting 001160.txt from 2003/04

From: Dan Leeson <leeson0@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] The basset clarinet as a regular orchestral instrument
Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2003 00:48:16 -0400

With respect to using a basset joint on one's clarinet, Keith writes:
"One option [Fox] offers is to convert your existing joint to a basset
joint, but he thinks this is less satisfactory acoustically, and of
course you then have to use it all the time."

It is interesting that he should mention the fact that having the basset
joint on an existing joint would require one to use it all the time.
Before I stopped playing professionally, I tried to get a pair of basset
clarinets to use as my regular orchestral instruments but failed
because, at that time, no one would make one for me in B-flat.

In effect, what I am suggesting here is that having to use a basset
clarinet all the time is not necessarily a bad thing, even though one
would almost never have to use the basset notes. That is, having the
extra length instruments in all cases would provide the possibility of a
significant change (enchancement or detriment) to the character of one's
sound.

There are some down sides to doing this, such as additional weight, but
the net result might be a significant step forward in orchestral
playing. And once such instruments were part of the orchestra, composers
would begin writing for the extended range.

So it should NOT be looked at as an impediment for one to use a basset
joint all the time when playing standard orchestral repertoire.

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