Klarinet Archive - Posting 000137.txt from 2009/07

From: "Dan Leeson" <dnleeson@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: seeking basset clarinet
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:35:17 -0400

Thank you for your note, Simon. For me, the subject has become academic
since I no longer play clarinet but still like to dabble in discussion.

The idea of putting silicone crème on your right thumb to enable more rapid
execution is fine if it works for you.

My perspective is that the musician should not have to find ways around
problems given to them by the manufacturers. It should be the other way
round, namely the the manufacturers find ways to eliminate the problems of
their instruments. And the only way to get them into the proper position is
to hit them in their pocket book. It is more than not buying their
instruments but rather making it clear to them that you plan on being
publicly critical of their product.

Dave Schifrin's solution is the only practical one, namely touchpieces
activated by the pinky. The thumb keys are fine for bassoonists but not for
clarinetists.

I don't know if Steve Fox is doing this, but he is no fool. Has anyone asked
him about this? If I had had any brains, I would have insisted on the pinky
touchpieces, and all on both sides of the instrument.

Dan

----- Original Message -----
From: "Simon Aldrich" <simonaldrich@-----.ca>
To: <klarinet@-----.org>
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 4:02 PM
Subject: [kl] Re: seeking basset clarinet

> 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.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> 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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