Klarinet Archive - Posting 000616.txt from 2003/07

From: ormondtoby@-----.net (Ormondtoby Montoya)
Subj: [kl] basset horn vs. basset clarinet vs. extended clarinet
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2003 16:16:15 -0400

I presume that I'm not alone in having a weak understanding of these
three instruments.

Harvard Dictionary says that a basset horn is distinguished by: (a)
being tuned in F below the 'normal' Bb or A of today; (b) having a
narrow bore in relation to its length - approximately the same diameter
as a modern Bb clarinet; and (c) having "three internal bore channels"
in a box placed between bell and body, and these channels are operated
with a "basset key" pressed by the right thumb. Some basset horns were
angled or curved, but this doesn't appear to be an essential part of a
basset horn's definition. By the above definition, I assume that 99%
of us will never witness a basset horn performance?

Harvard Dictionary does not give a separate definition for "basset
clarinet". I speculate that difference between the two bassets ('horn'
and 'clarinet') is that the multi-channel box has been replaced by extra
length without substantial change to bore, range, or tuning?

I speculate that the difference between "basset clarinet" and "extended
clarinet" is that the 'extended' clarinet is not tuned in F and has a
larger bore diameter that is closer to the 'modern' ratio of bore to
length?

Many early instruments had fewer keys and hence more difficulty with
chromatic scales. Does this enter into any of the instrument
definitions?

If these definitions are correct and complete (???), which instruments
do Tony Pay and David Shifrin play when performing K.622?

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