Klarinet Archive - Posting 000243.txt from 2004/03

From: Dan Leeson <leeson0@------.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] reasons for basset clarinets
Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2004 13:32:22 -0500

Brian, while it is possible that in a moment of madness, I might have
forgotten myself and wrote that a basset clarinet "sounds better"
because of its length, I don't think I did that, mostly because I am not
qualified to state what sounds better. I think you interpreted that from
what I wrote about sound character.

What I did say was that the sound character was different, and that
difference, because of extral wood length, appeals to some players, not
because of how it sounds but often how it feels..

Neither you or I ever have the authority to say that this or that sounds
better, on that I think we are in agreement. But I do have the right to
suggest that the character (which has many manifestations beyond the
simple element of how it sounds) is different. One such example is how
comfortable I am playing an instrument of extended length. Or how the
extended length affects the playing of certain notes. And that effect
can go far beyond how it sounds.

It is also safe to say that how we sound when we play is a very bad
measure since we are not in any position to hear how we sound. We often
say to someone observing our playing, "Move far away. You can't hear me
so close." And goodness knows, we are closer to our own playing when we
play than anyone.

As a final example, when I play a low C on a basset horn I feel a great
sensation of strength in my playing, and I have no idea how the note
sounds. One of the thinks I loved about playing bass clarinet was that,
as the root position in the chord, I was the strong element of the
music, certainly not that I sounded better.

There is a lot of mysticism in clarinet playing and it may be that some
of that mysticism (by which we are made to feel comfortable and happy
about our playing) is derived from the sound character achieved by the
instrument's length. Personally, I never felt comfortable playing an
E-flat clarinet, and I don't know why other than the fact that I played
it so badly.

There is a part of our choice of musical instruments that attracts us to
playing an instrument that occupies a particular place in the orchestral
choir. Some like melody. Others like inner voices. And others like
the foundation. I think that the extended length of an instrument gives
me my foundation.

Dan

Brian Schuth wrote:

> It's certainly dangerous to suggest a basset clarinet should always
> be used because it sounds "better." I know plenty of people who
> think A=442 sounds 'better' than A=440, not to mention A=415. I know
> a lot of amateur singers who are always a touch flat because it
> sounds "better" to them. I trust Dan Leeson a great deal more than
> most when he says something sounds "better", but I'm not sure that
> justifies the universal use of basset clarinets.
>
> Without going on a postmodern discursus, I think it's safer to talk
> about the fact of some difference in sound, rather than in terms of
> the merit of that difference. Should the difference be great enough
> that it makes composers fall in love with the instrument en masse,
> that would be a different argument; but I don't think that's very
> likely.
>
> The historical case for basset clarinets in certain repertoire is
> very strong. The case for playing basset clarinets because of their
> extended range has some justification, but until one can obtain such
> instruments easily for most clarinetists, it seems a bit perverse to
> insist on their universal use. The case for basset clarinets because
> they sound intrinsically better seems suspicious at best.
>
> And just to throw in some bait at the end -- do people write more
> music for cello than for violin because the cello has a more extended
> range? I'm not sure that Eb at the bottom is all *that* exciting to
> have... but as I'm not currently able to afford a basset instrument,
> I will hold out the possibility I might be seduced one day... bjs
>
> Brian Schuth brian@------.com Eastport, Maine
>
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--
Dan Leeson
leeson0@------.net