Klarinet Archive - Posting 000136.txt from 2009/07

From: Simon Aldrich <simonaldrich@-----.ca>
Subj: [kl] Re: seeking basset clarinet
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:02:03 -0400

Dan Leeson wrote:
"At one time, I owned three basset horns and all three had different
fingering systems for the low notes. Two were Selmers, and one was by
Fox of
Canada. None of them was a satisfactory solution to the problem of the
basset notes, what with three thumb keys that were difficult to
negotiate.
There was never any ability for rapid execution on an instrument with
three thumb keys."

David Shifrin got around the problem of the right-thumb low notes by
designing his own basset clarinet and having it made by
Leonard Gullotta. The low notes are arranged on his instrument to be
played by the pinky fingers.

I play the Mozart Concerto and Quintet on a basset clarinet made by
Stephen Fox.
I have to put silicone creme on my right thumb to be able to slide
reliably around the three low notes on my instrument.

Peter - an option to renting a basset clarinet is giving an A clarinet
lower joint to Stephen Fox and having him convert it to a basset
clarinet lower joint (by adding the four lower notes). That way you
are are playing on your own upper joint and the feel of the instrument
is just like your own A clarinet.

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Simon Aldrich

Clarinet Faculty - McGill University
Principal Clarinet - Orchestre Metropolitain de Montreal
Principal Clarinet - Orchestre de l'Opera de Montreal
Artistic Director - Jeffery Summer Concerts
Clarinet - Nouvel Ensemble Moderne

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