Klarinet Archive - Posting 000126.txt from 2006/12

From: "Keith Bowen" <bowenk@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] basset horn
Date: Sun, 24 Dec 2006 05:07:13 -0500

Good luck with Non Piu, Ann. It's not an easy piece, especially on a
substandard horn. Also, sopranos seem to like to go like hell on the fast
section! Incidentally, though the basset horn part is subservient to the
soprano, it's in a very grateful range for the soprano and if they are a
professional or a professional student, they will make a lot of noise - so
there is no need to worry about drowning them. Forest had to encourage me to
think of peeling paint off the walls :-).

There's one arpeggio which goes to high D - if the open D works (which it
does, very well, on mine) that's a great help in that spot, which is quite
exposed.

I suggest you make very sure that the horn is well regulated before the
performance (even if you do it yourself). You don't want to be struggling
with pads that don't seal perfectly, and school horns do tend to be
neglected. Even tiny adjustments (e.g. in ring pads seating simultaneously,
and ensuring that the low C works with just the thumb touch and no extra
fingers) make a big difference. It's like the bass clarinet in that respect,
and the adjustments are similar.

Best wishes, let us know how it goes!

Keith Bowen

> -----Original Message-----
> From: klarinet-return-89557-bowenk=compuserve.com@-----.org
> [mailto:klarinet-return-89557-bowenk=compuserve.com@-----.org] On
> Behalf Of Ann Satterfield
> Sent: 24 December 2006 03:10
> To: klarinet@-----.org
> Subject: [kl] basset horn
>
>
> Man, do I wish I had the money (and chops) to justify buying Dan's
> basset horn.
>
> For past two weeks I have been playing on a school instrument, a
> Selmer, dating from 70's. To see if I could work up the part to Non
> pui di fiore for program Jan 2 (consulted archives, and expecially
> noted Keith, Dan and Forrest comments).
>
> I think this particular instrument is a dog--it reminds me of first
> bass clarinet I used. I don't know if I can do acceptable performance.
>
> This is outside the issue of extended keys being different than Selmer
> bass. The organization isn't necessarily bad, just different.
>
> Bass clarinet is my favorite to play, and a couple of years ago I got
> a GOOD instrument.
>
> Ann Satterfield
> MM student, clarinet and saxophone
> U of South Florida
>
>
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