Klarinet Archive - Posting 000139.txt from 2009/07
From: "Keith Bowen" <bowenk@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Re: seeking basset clarinet
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:47:56 -0400
I did discuss this with Steve when I ordered my basset horn, which as =
you
know is similar to your original one (which I now have) but not =
identical.
Steve is basically very willing to do what the customer wants. I chose a
somewhat different layout of the thumb keys on the basset horn from you =
-
same geometry but different shapes and sizes - which I do find more
convenient, and I have the low D pinky key on the right rather than the
left, to match my bass clarinet. The thumb work on my basset horn is =
much
easier than that on the Buffet bass.
I don't agree that having all the keys operated by pinkies is a good =
idea
for everyone. I suppose it would be fine for someone with long strong
pinkies, but mine are rather short - indeed, I find the alternate Eb/Ab =
key
for LH4 quite a stretch and would not like to have any more keys to cope
with. It would actually mean having eight keys for each pinky, which =
would
be awful for me. OTOH, the thumb touches on my Fox work easily and are
accessible. As long as the instrument is on a peg, it's not an issue - =
and
for me, much preferable.
Keith
Keith Bowen
30 Oakwood Grove
Warwick
CV34 5TD
UK
t +44 (0) 1926 774644
m +44 (0) 785 004 8884
m +1 (720) 939 8528 in USA
-----Original Message-----
From: Dan Leeson [mailto:dnleeson@-----.net]=20
Sent: 29 July 2009 00:35
To: klarinet@-----.org
Subject: Re: [kl] Re: seeking basset clarinet
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 cr=E8me on your right thumb to enable more =
rapid=20
execution is fine if it works for you.
My perspective is that the musician should not have to find ways around=20
problems given to them by the manufacturers. It should be the other way=20
round, namely the the manufacturers find ways to eliminate the problems =
of=20
their instruments. And the only way to get them into the proper position =
is=20
to hit them in their pocket book. It is more than not buying their=20
instruments but rather making it clear to them that you plan on being=20
publicly critical of their product.
Dave Schifrin's solution is the only practical one, namely touchpieces=20
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 -----=20
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=20
> negotiate.
> There was never any ability for rapid execution on an instrument with=20
> three thumb keys."
>
> David Shifrin got around the problem of the right-thumb low notes by=20
> designing his own basset clarinet and having it made by
> Leonard Gullotta. The low notes are arranged on his instrument to be=20
> played by the pinky fingers.
>
> I play the Mozart Concerto and Quintet on a basset clarinet made by=20
> Stephen Fox.
> I have to put silicone creme on my right thumb to be able to slide=20
> 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=20
> playing on your own upper joint and the feel of the instrument is =
just=20
> 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
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------
>=20
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