 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Peter
Date: 2003-01-29 23:24
Well, I just got my new copy of Woodwinds Instruments and Their History in the mail today. Neat book.
After all this time of hearing some people use the term "basset horn" interchangeably with "alto clarinet," I finally have a solid description of each. Now I'm glad I always called an alto by it's rightful name, even though, simplistically expressed, the practical difference may, or may not, be humongous.
Typically, the basset is "basically an 18th century idea" in which a body of the same bore diameter as an 'A' or 'Bb' clarinet was elongated to give it a lower sound, is in the key of F, and generally uses the same mouthpiece as an 'A' or 'Bb' clarinet.
The alto is a 19th century French invention, the bore is wider, it plays in the key of Eb and uses an alto clarinet-sized mouthpiece.
Of course, that's oversimplifying it to the max, but just in that little tid bit of knowledge I already got an excellenet return on my investment.
What a neat book! I recommend it to anyone interested in woodwind instruments, and not just for their history.
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Author: Todd W.
Date: 2003-01-29 23:27
Peter --
Interesting.
Where does the basset CLARINET fit in; that is, how does it differ from the basset HORN and the alto clarinet?
Todd W.
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Author: Hank
Date: 2003-01-30 00:04
Does it say anything about the difference in the ears :-)?
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Author: Peter
Date: 2003-01-30 00:28
Todd,
This is the basset horn vs the alto clarinet that I'm talking about.
The basset horn looks very similar to a full Bohem alto clarinet.
I guess where it fits in would be a semitone higher in pitch than an alto clarinet and a diminished fourth lower than a Bb soprano (did I say that right? I'm an awful music theorist!)
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Author: Peter
Date: 2003-01-30 00:35
Ralph,
Only if you use a good embouchure and maintain a strong, steady air column when you blow into his...other end. Let us know how your experiments work out.
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2003-01-30 03:24
I'll have to experiment on my Pekingese.
"Conan! Come'ere, Coney!"
Uh, on second thought... no way...
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Author: Douglas
Date: 2003-01-30 13:11
Peter, the basset horn is a whole step higher (not a semi-tone higher) than an Eb alto clarinet, and is a Perfect 4th lower in pitch than a Bb clarinet.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-01-30 14:14
Yes, Peter, the bassets, HORN in F is an alto cl with lower-extended keying to provide low D, C# and C: sim. CLARINET is in A [both of these were used by Mozart in particular] : sim. BASS CLARINET in Bb, just called extended-range, mainly used in symphonic music [to support the cellos IMHO]. They are costly due to longer lower joint, and keywork, using the right thumb and little fingers. Yes, Baines is great, Rendall etc also describe these fine clarinets. Don
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Author: Peter
Date: 2003-01-31 17:57
I said:
"I guess where it fits in would be a semitone higher in pitch than an alto clarinet and a diminished fourth lower than a Bb soprano (did I say that right? I'm an awful music theorist!)"
Douglas said:
"Peter, the basset horn is a whole step higher (not a semi-tone higher) than an Eb alto clarinet, and is a Perfect 4th lower in pitch than a Bb clarinet."
Douglas, I was right: I am an awful music theorist!
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