Klarinet Archive - Posting 000351.txt from 2005/06

From: "Simon Peerless" <s.peerless@-----.uk>
Subj: RE: [kl] Basset clarinets are regular orchestral instruments
Date: Mon, 20 Jun 2005 10:39:06 -0400

The Buffet website lists both basset clarinet and basset horn - see
http://www.buffet-crampon.com/instruments_main.asp?cat=3D10

With the description that reads, in part:
'Descending to low C, this clarinet is especially designed to perform
the Mozart Concerto in its original version. Contemporary composers have
even included it in their own works.'=20

I've only been learning the clarinet for three years or so, so my
comments are not backed by much experience, but when I had the brief
opportunity to handle and play a basset clarinet I was surprised by how
much heavier and more unwieldy it was - the extra weight and length made
for a much less well balanced instrument. No doubt this is something you
get used to, but I would have thought that the feel of the instrument in
your hands whilst playing is important - and so you would only want to
use the basset clarinet if you actually needed the lower notes. But
perhaps with more experience the 'feel' of the instrument is less
significant.

Simon Peerless

-----Original Message-----
From: Joseph Wakeling [mailto:joseph.wakeling@-----.net]=20
Sent: 20 June 2005 14:36
To: klarinet@-----.org
Subject: Re: [kl] Basset clarinets are regular orchestral instruments

Dan Leeson wrote:

> I'd like to restate what caused my call to action. I picked up the=20
> Buffet catalog at the Norman, OK convention, and there were six models

> of clarinets (perhaps more, I didn't count carefully but certainly=20
> six), from the highrest price professional clarinets to the more=20
> modest ones for student use. There were no basset horns OR basset=20
> clarinets present.

Just to be sure---Buffet has two different catalogues, one for the=20
soprano clarinets (Bb, A, C, Eb and D) and one for the "harmony"=20
instruments which were, last time I looked (which was some time ago)=20
basset clarinet in A, basset horn, bass clarinet and contra-alto=20
clarinet. You're sure you didn't just have the wrong catalogue?

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Klarinet is a service of Woodwind.Org, Inc. http://www.woodwind.org

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Klarinet is a service of Woodwind.Org, Inc. http://www.woodwind.org

   
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org