Klarinet Archive - Posting 000189.txt from 2006/12

From: Matt Hanson <matthanson920@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Alto vs. bassethorn
Date: Sat, 30 Dec 2006 21:09:32 -0500


I apologize if I did not make myself clear. I do
appreciate your response, but I'm afraid you may have
missed my point and accidentally read something
different into it. My vague point in the part you
quoted was in regard to the timbre differences, which
has been some of our debate here. I tried to avoid
going on about timbre in my post, but my own
preference is that of Mr. Leeson -- small bore w/
clarinet mpc, not large bore w/ alto mpc. That was
all I meant, but didn't want to go into all of that at
length since my main topic was the new Buffet alto in
regard to low range.

Also, please understand that I am not anti-alto. I
actually own two. It is, though, my own *preference*
to not use alto clarinet (or large bore basset horn
with alto mpc for that matter) as a substitution for a
small bore basset horn, (again echoing Mr. Leeson).

Apart from the huge bore, I mainly do not like using
an alto mpc on basset horn. I'm not the first here to
say that. As I pointed out in my post from which you
quoted, I understand that performances have and will
be done on alto instead of basset horn. It simply is
not my preference to do so and you misunderstood that.
I have apparently attempted to summarize my points
and ideas too briefly in regard to what could work
well for others. I will try to be more clear next
time, but with that in mind, I do tend to get long
winded. :)

On another note, you do seem to have more interest in
criticising me for why bore size matters to me and
that I am being "cliche" for having an opinion or
preference at all. Who is really guilty of falling
ill of "conventional wisdom" here? You say," The
simple minded fixation on bore size reveals more about
Matt than about the basset horn or alto
clarinet." I am very proud of the fact that clarinet
bore size is important to me, whether it be as you
say, a "simple minded fixation" or not. I am quite
surprised that you imply that it is unimportant,
especially since it has been of some relevance in the
difference schools of clarinet playing and the history
of the instrument in general (but that is a separate
topic).

I will go on to say that I use a Hammerschmidt bass
clarinet that possesses a bore size smaller than most
alto clarinets and while I don't use it in band, I
love its sweet, intimate and expressive timbre for
solo and chamber work. Does that really make me
"cliche"? If so, then cliche I am, and proud of it.

Does it, as you say, reveal more about me? Of course
it does. We should all use what works best for us.

Respectfully,

Matthew Hanson

--- Laurence Beckhardt <lbeckhardt@-----.net> wrote:

> 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
> >
> >
>
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