Klarinet Archive - Posting 001167.txt from 2003/04

From: Dan Leeson <leeson0@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] The basset clarinet as a regular orchestral instrument
Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2003 00:48:23 -0400

Anton Stadler, Mozart's clarinetist had three basset clarinets, one in
B-flat, one in A, and one in C. I suspect, but do not know, that he
used them as his regular orchestral clarinets. I have no idea if there
is any literature for a basset clarinet in C, but the absence of any
literature is NOT a reason not to buy one.

I have no idea if a basset E-flat clarinet would make any musical sense,
but if someone made one, I probably would have bought it out of
curiosity. Certain a full Boehm E-flat clarinet (and I used to own one)
made perfect sense because of the use of the instrument as a substitute
for D clarinet and the requirement for the extra half tone. I tried to
buy a D clarinet when I lived in Paris but could not get a good one.
Then I gave up and used E-flats on the very rare occasions when I was
hired to play one. I was never a good E-flat player. Occasionally
Mahler calls for a bass/E-flat or bass/D double and I hardly ever played
E-flat clarinet outside of those narrow confines.

Dan

Buckman, Nancy wrote:
> Dan,
>
> I suppose this really borders on the idiotic, but then I know nothing about clarinet design and acoustics, so I'll ask anyway. Would there ever be an advantage to a basset Eb clarinet or C clarinet?
>
> Nancy
>
> Nancy E. Buckman, Technical Assistant
> School of Health Professions, Wellness and Physical Education
> Anne Arundel Community College
> Arnold, MD 21012-1895 USA
> Phone 410-777-2316 Fax 410-777-2233
> E-mail nebuckman@-----.edu
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> Klarinet is supported by Woodwind.Org, http://www.woodwind.org/
>
>

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