Klarinet Archive - Posting 000219.txt from 2004/03

From: BEresman@------.com
Subj: Re: [kl] reasons for basset clarinets
Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2004 10:26:44 -0500


Dan Leeson Wrote:

> The character of sound produced by any clarinet is affected by
>extensions, and I suggest that the effect is invariably positive. I have
>both a B-flat and an A that descend to low E-flat, and though I rarely
>use the notes, the character of the instruments appears to me to be
>improved by the presence of the extra length wood. By this I mean to
>say that I also have a pair of clarinets that do not extend to low
>E-flat, and I don't use them nearly as much as the ones that do. It's
>because the extra wood creates a positive effect on the sound character.
>
>I once asked a player why he enjoyed playing everything on an A
>clarinet. He did not even own a B-flat clarinet, but transposed
>everything. His answer was that the extra length of the instrument (as
>compared to a B-flat clarinet) allowed him to produce a character that
>was unavailable to him on shorter instruments.

But Dan, if the part was written for a "standard" length clarinet, how can
you justify using a longer instrument? The composer wrote specifically for
a regular clarinet, and may very well have had that particular sound in
mind. Seems to me that this is no different in essence than playing C
clarinet parts on a Bb instrument. DIfferent in degree, perhaps, but not
in essence.

And while my tongue is somewhat in my cheek, there is a modicum of true
curiosity about this. I would not hesitate to do as you suggest, if i had
the instrument, but i am not a purist about that sort of thing.

Brent Eresman

   
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