Klarinet Archive - Posting 000186.txt from 2006/12

From: Laurence Beckhardt <lbeckhardt@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Alto vs. bassethorn
Date: Sat, 30 Dec 2006 18:19:43 -0500

Matt makes a thoughtful contribution to this
interesting discussion, up to a point. He lapses into
cliche and ill considered conventional wisdom with
this statement:

"I want to be clear that I do not consider alto
clarinet
to be a sufficient substitute for a small bore basset
horn, but we know that it does happen in performance."

The simple minded fixation on bore size reveals more
about Matt than about the basset horn or alto
clarinet.

Happy new year!

--- Matt Hanson <matthanson920@-----.com> wrote:

>
> Regading only low range and with timbre difference
> aside, it is interesting to point out that a new
> version of the Buffet alto clarinet features the low
> Eb on the body now, instead of the bell. The
> previous
> bell is still used, however, the tone hole is left
> open without an actual key. It is being used as a
> resonance tone hole for a "true" low Eb instead of a
> "bell" low Eb.
>
> While not a sufficient subsitute for many of us, we
> know that alto clarinets are sometimes used to
> perform
> basset horn parts when an instrument is not easily
> accessable. From a clarinet playing and instrument
> repair perspective, I have been intrigued by the
> possibility that someone could add the necessary
> bell
> hardware and a key connection on to this new alto
> clarinet for the low D, thus resulting in the
> previously missing low C of the basset horn.
>
> Alto clarinet parts horns are indeed plentiful and
> the
> original equipment bell key and mount could even be
> acquired from Buffet directly since they have made
> them that way for so long until recently. This would
> leave only the fabrication of the touch piece and
> the
> mounting to obtain the low D (sounding the lowest
> note
> on the basset horn). Since its introduction, I have
> been curious if anyone would surface, having made
> this
> alteration to the new Buffet alto clarinet, but I
> have
> not heard of any to date. I doubt there is a huge
> market for new alto clarinets to begin with since
> used
> instruments are quite plentiful, but it may be
> useful
> in obtaining the missing note in the range of the
> basset horn, should someone already have one of
> these
> in their posession, especially in an environment
> where
> a basset horn is absent or not easily accessible.
> Again, timbre issues and upper range aside here. I
> want to be clear that I do not consider alto
> clarinet
> to be a sufficient substitute for a small bore
> basset
> horn, but we know that it does happen in
> performance.
>
>
> I'm curious, though, about the thoughts of others
> regarding this fabrication possibility to achieve
> the
> missing note.
>
> Matthew Hanson
>
>
> > > In fact, the low Eb on an alto clarinet is the
> > same pitch as the
> > > low Db on a basset horn, so the alto needs only
> > ONE additional
> > > low note in order to have the same low range as
> a
> > basset horn. I
> > > have thought about constructing an extension for
> > the alto that
> > > would fit between the bell and the rest of the
> > clarinet, with a
> > > tone hole and pad. Never got around to actually
> > making one.
> > > Anyone care to give it a try? ---Richard
> > >
>
>
>
> protection around
> http://mail.yahoo.com
>
>
-------------------------------------------------------------------
> klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org,
> klarinet-digest-unsubscribe@-----.org if you get
> the digest.
> klarinet-help@-----.org
> Klarinet is a service of Woodwind.Org, Inc.
> http://www.woodwind.org
>
>

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