Klarinet Archive - Posting 000289.txt from 2008/11

From: Matt Hanson <matthanson920@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] C vs Eb Bass Clarinet
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:44:02 -0500

=0A=A0=0AThe arguement toward a low C bass is undeniable as these notes are=
being used more and more in new=A0literature and in transcriptions of old,=
often even in a community band setting. =0A=0AJacob is, however, correct.=
=A0 I know several who prefer the timbre of bass clarinet to low Eb.=A0Pers=
onally, I=A0like not having to worry about the sharp long B and other chara=
cteristics associated with a low C bass,=A0as I=A0find the low end on most =
nice low Eb=A0basses to be more colorful than their=A0low=A0C counterparts=
=A0which can seem somewhat thin and lacking=A0by comparison.=A0 Don't get m=
e wrong -- I own both Eb and C French basses, but not everyone is able.=A0 =
My low C bass is great, but my low Eb bass sounds better and is simply more=
fun to play.=A0 Since I'm not getting paid to play it these days, unless I=
need those notes, the choice (for me) is=A0clear. =A0If someone is=A0debat=
ing the purchase, it=A0is ultimately up to=A0them to decide=A0whether or no=
t the additional three notes can be=A0justified for their situation, whethe=
r it be=A0financial, playing environment, or whatever.=A0 Again,=A0a low C =
bass is becoming more and more=A0necessary.=0A=0AJust a curiosity, though..=
.=A0Having thought I'd played them all, I am=A0eager to learn=A0which Sousa=
=A0March has a low C for bass clarinet and if it is an arrangement (possibl=
y orchestral?) by someone after Sousa's time, as he died in 1932. The only =
low C instruments I am aware of existing at that time were German or Austri=
an horns which are still to this day rather uncommon in the USA (again, one=
of the too many that I own).=A0 If it was=A0indeed a=A0transcription, then=
that probably helps support=A0the statement in my first sentence.=A0 And y=
es, I am aware that Sousa was part German. :-)=A0 =0A=0AMatthew Hanson=0A=
=0A=0A> =0A> There are five reasons why:=0A> =0A> 1. The literature calls f=
or it.=A0 I found low C's in=0A> Sousa Marches.=0A> =0A=0A=0A=0A

------------------------------------------------------------------