Klarinet Archive - Posting 000039.txt from 2007/11

From: "Clark W Fobes" <claroneman@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Alto clarinet anecdote
Date: Mon, 05 Nov 2007 11:10:17 -0500

I am one of those persons who owns an alto clarinet and is not afraid to
admit. But then, I live in a basement and am covered with warts :-)

I recently performed a couple of performances of "Magic Flute" with the San
Francisco Opera orchestra for some family concerts. Even though I played 2nd
clarinet, my colleague asked me to play the first basset horn part which is
prominent in a couple of arias.

I do not own a basset horn, but I do own a 1950s vintage Leblanc Paris Alto
clarinet. This instrument has a rather remarkable scale- much better than
either of the basset horns owned by the Opera, so I opted to play the part
on the alto clarinet and transpose up a whole step. All of my colleagues
were quite surprised and delighted at the quality of sound and pitch.

I am about 50% completed with a project to build an extension to low D for
this alto clarinet. With the extra note I will be able to play the full
range of the F basset horn. I have made the extension - which like my Eb
clarinet extension - improves the long B. I am waiting for some keys and
hope to have the project completed before Christmas. I will post a picture
on my website.

Clark W Fobes - Clarinet & Saxophone products
www.clarkwfobes.com

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