Klarinet Archive - Posting 001188.txt from 2003/04

From: "Keith" <100012.1302@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] RE: klarinet Digest 24 Apr 2003 20:15:01 -0000 Issue 4488
Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2003 00:48:44 -0400

I'd be quite happy with the tone of my "basset A" all the time for
orchestral playing, but it is a lot heavier and less comfortable. But
then, I'm not a hulking great weightlifter like Dan. Perhaps if I got
used to it, it would be different. Where Walter found stuffiness I find
mellowness. Maybe I'll try it at an orchestra soon.

Keith Bowen

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 15:42:54 -0400
From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subject: Re: [kl] The basset clarinet as a regular orchestral instrument
Message-ID: <1338CBA1.7A54C377.024C2F1F@-----.com>

In a message dated 4/24/2003 10:45:48 AM Eastern Standard Time,
leeson0@-----.net writes:

<< 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.>>

>Last summer I had the opportunity of trying an A clarinet with a
bassett extension made by one of our expert instrument makers.

>While I certainly enjoyed the bassett notes, and admired the excellent
craftsmanship, I would NOT play this clarinet with the bassett extension
unless I needed the bassett notes.

>Why?

>The character of the long tube notes, in particular third line B, and
fourth space C, were inferior to the notes using the original joint.
They were simply less resonant - less "ring" to the sound, more muffled.

>Is this a characteristic of all bassett extensions? I have NO idea.
However, on this clarinet, I would only use the bassett extension when I
needed those notes.

>Just one observation.

>BTW, I was actually surprised in what I found, in that I am very
familar to bass clarinets, and they seem always to benefit from
extension.

>Walter Grabner
www.clarinetXpress.com
bass clarinet extensions

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Klarinet is supported by Woodwind.Org, http://www.woodwind.org/