Klarinet Archive - Posting 000192.txt from 2006/12

From: "dnleeson" <dnleeson@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Alto vs basset horn
Date: Sat, 30 Dec 2006 22:25:30 -0500

Another point came to my mind concerning the alto vs basset horn
use brought up by Matt. The basset horn is in full recognition
of the necessity to play complex passages in the lowest register.
Almost every note at the bottom of the instrument is available in
two fingerings, using alternate pinkys. The only exception (on
most horns) is the low D-flat and C. There one uses the thumb
and there are no alternative fingerings, though that may be
different on the Buffet and Selmer bassets.

The current state of the alto clarinet is made much more
complicated by the addition of the low d key which allows for the
pitch of the basset horn's low c. The alternate fingerings that
make the low note passages emminently playable on a basset horn
in F, are missing on the alto clarinet in E-flat. So the problem
is far more complicated than simply extending the register by one
tone.

Dan Leeson
DNLeeson@-----.net

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