Klarinet Archive - Posting 000269.txt from 2004/07

From: Tony Pay <tony.p@-----.org>
Subj: Re: [kl] Ab clarinet!
Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2004 18:12:16 -0400

On 8 Jul, Peter Stoll <peterstoll2000@-----.ca> wrote:

> Hi everyone,
>
> Oh boy, suppose it had to happen one day...it looks like I'm booked for a
> gig in a month requiring the semi-mythical little Ab sopranino. The
> composer has apparently accepted the task of trying to track one down but
> as I've never even seen one "in the wood", thought I'd better ask here
> myself in case he strikes out.
>
> Where does one find such a thing?

In the 1970s I had to find one for a modern piece (John Tavener's Celtic
Requiem, going up to written altissimo A) and there was a teacher and
collector in London who owned one, and who was prepared to lend it to me.

In the US, I don't know. I'd suggest emailing people; after all, you've
already started by posting here -- though I remember when I had to come and
play in San Diego, and needed just a bass clarinet for a few bars, I never
found anyone who would hire or lend me one, and had to lug my own across the
pond.

Perhaps you just don't have an efficient network there, though I can't
think why not.

> Do they have a full compliment of keys as per Eb or does the small size
> mean some have to be left off in the manufacture?

It's standard. (But you have to go off the beer for 6 months to slim your
fingers:-)

> Also what generally works as a setup? I'm pretty sure I've seen a special
> size of reed by Vandoren...

I just hacked an Eb reed, I think.

> ...but I'm assuming that for mpc. and ligature you're stuck with whatever
> comes with the horn. I think I remember at least one Klarinetter posting
> they have and play one of these,

It was perhaps me, as above.

> ...is there any hope of playing in tune without a year of practice?

Remember, you're only playing 'the piece' on it. You don't have to be able
to play the Rose Etudes (whatever they are:-) It's quite easy usually to
organise that the instrument is in tune for what's written in just one piece.

Tony
--
_________ Tony Pay
|ony:-) 79 Southmoor Rd tony.p@-----.org
| |ay Oxford OX2 6RE http://classicalplus.gmn.com/artists
tel/fax 01865 553339

... If work is so terrific, how come they have to pay you to do it?

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