 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Kelly
Date: 1999-01-18 22:59
I'm composing a clarinet ensemble (quartet) for a chamber music festival. How odd is it to request the contrabass clarinet (thus making it a quintet)? 'Tis it so unusual an intrument that I would be reducing my changes of getting the piece performed?
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Author: jim lande
Date: 1999-01-19 02:14
It is not that uncommon. Many high schools have one. Some are in poor condition, however.
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Author: Contragirl
Date: 1999-01-19 02:59
Kelly wrote:
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I'm composing a clarinet ensemble (quartet) for a chamber music festival. How odd is it to request the contrabass clarinet (thus making it a quintet)? 'Tis it so unusual an intrument that I would be reducing my changes of getting the piece performed?
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Is it a contralto (Eb) or contrabass (Bb)? If it's contralto...
I WANNA PLAY IT! GIVE IT TO ME!
If it's contrabass, I don't know. Oh, to answer your question, contralto is rare, but not THAT rare, but I don't know any thing about contrabass.
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Author: Arnold the basset hornist
Date: 1999-01-19 05:54
Just a sugestion:
Alternatively contra alto (in Eb) or contra bass (in Bb) - thus not reaching the lowest tones of the contra bass.
Moreover, ask the Contragirl, weather her contra alto reaches low Eb or low C.
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Author: Fred McKenzie
Date: 1999-01-19 15:13
Kelly-
BBb Contrabass Clarinets are fairly common in University bands and some High School bands. Although some have a range to low C, I think the majority only go to Eb.
Many high schools will have the Vito plastic BBb Contras, which go to Eb. These may be the most common model in existence, since they are about 1/3 of the price of the nearest "pro" model!
Fred
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 1999-01-19 17:11
Kelly -
Contras are rare enough that calling for one will almost certainly reduce the chances of performance. It used to be that every high school had at least a contra-alto in Eb, and the weathier ones also had a contrabass in BBb. These days, even if they have the instruments, they don't have the money to keep them in good playing condition.
The contra-alto is pitched an octave below the alto clarinet. Most extant ones are Selmers, and are basically a large bass clarinet, with the same shape and keywork. They almost always have the lowest note as Eb. They use a baritone sax reed and are quite easy to play -- for me, easier than bass clarinet -- though of course they require large lungs. They have no pierced hole through the left index finger plate, so playing them into the altissimo range requires special fingerings, which few high school players would be comfortable with. Leblanc also makes the instrument, in metal, and I believe Buffet also makes them.
The BBb is an octave below the bass clarinet. Most of them you will find are metal Leblancs. They are quite different from the Selmer contra-altos. The older ones take a bass sax reed and require LOTS of air. The newer ones take a baritone sax reed and require less air but are unsatisfactory on the low notes. Maybe 40% go to low Eb, and are either straight or coiled in a "paperclip" shape like a contrabassoon. The straight ones have to be played standing up. The rest have an extended range to low C (sounding Bb) and are always in the paperclip shape. They have only the Eb/Bb side trill key for the right index finger, and so the first space F# can be played only with the left index finger. Compared with at least the Selmer contra-alto, the Leblanc contrabass is clumsier and harder to play, but much fuller and louder, making a true bass sonority to support an ensemble. In addition to Leblanc, Selmer and I think Buffet also make them. By the way, the instrument case is nearly 5 feet long and, with a BBb to low C in it, weights close to 40 pounds.
The list prices are astronomical. I believe the Leblanc BBb to low C lists for over $20,000. I recently found a well-used one for $2,700 + $50 shipping and maybe another $150 to put it in good condition, and counted myself lucky at the price. (Contragirl - please don't kill me!)
My advice is not to call for contra unless you know there is someone out there with an instrument. On the other hand, either instument can give a giant boost in sonority. Listen to the clarinet choir on Richard Stoltzman's "Adagio" CD to hear what a contra can do (of course, extensively reworked by Kalmen Opperman and played by Dennis Smylie).
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Contragirl
Date: 1999-01-19 21:43
Lucky you. I'm happy on the school's clarinet for now, so I wouldn't kill you. My clarinet goes down to I think Eb, well, pitch wise it's all weird, but, it's a little thing that's called transposing. I'm sure everyone here knows about it, but maybe not how. How can I word this in a non-confusing way? If the song has two sharps (Key of C), I have three. If the song has no sharps or flats (Key of Bb), I have one sharp. I think you get the picture. So, like if the song has two flats I have one. This wasn't your question, but it might come in handy. Hope this helps!
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Author: Will at UNH
Date: 1999-01-23 06:32
I would like to add my two cents by saying that even a decent bass clarinet player may have some serious difficulty playing a contra bass. These large beasts of the Clarinet family are very finickey and like to squeak and chirp and they are often in disrepair. I had the opportunity to play contra-alto in Bernstein's Slava, and i was so afraid of 'chirping' because at the first rehersal the conductor had to stop when he and the whole band were in stitches from watching me try to tame this fogotton instrument.
-Will
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 1999-01-28 14:23
Will at UNH wrote:
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I would like to add my two cents by saying that even a decent bass clarinet player may have some serious difficulty playing a contra bass. These large beasts of the Clarinet family are very finickey and like to squeak and chirp and they are often in disrepair. I had the opportunity to play contra-alto in Bernstein's Slava, and i was so afraid of 'chirping' because at the first rehersal the conductor had to stop when he and the whole band were in stitches from watching me try to tame this fogotton instrument.
-Will
Will -
I played nothing but contra (Eb and BBb) in the West Point Band for more than a year and found the instruments (particularly the Selmer Eb) very easy to play -- much easier than bass. The problems you have are I think due to one or more of the following:
1. Reed set too low. The mouthpiece has a very long curve. If you set the tip of the reed even with the tip of the mouthpiece, it will not seal. Set the reed tip the width of a thin pencil line above the tip of the mouthpiece, and bend it against the lay gently to make sure it meets the mouthpiece tip all the way around, and particularly at the corners. Leaking causes more chirps than anything else.
2. Pads not covering. The mechanism is large and has lots of play, particularly when it gets worn. However, contras almost all have leather pads, which adjust better than felt to being slightly tilted or off center. If the tone or stability decreases suddenly below a particular note, suspect a bad pad at that point.
3. Reed too wide. If the reed laps over the side of the mouthpiece rails, even a little, it kills the response and results in "birdies." The reed should be a tiny bit narrower than the rails, so that you can move it slightly left or right, which makes a big difference in response. The problem is that the tolerance at the reed corners is small, and you must be sure there is no non-sealing area there.
4. Reed extremely soft or hard, or unbalanced.
5. Mouthpiece chipped or scratched up.
6. Embouchure too tight. Take more mouthpiece and move your jaw down and back to make a receding chin (like a bassoon embouchure). Playing double lip works wonders.
7. Being angry at having to play contra, while others get to play the good stuff on Bb. Tension = squeaks. * * *
What's done is done. Even if you've been treated unfairly, you have to keep a professional attitude, calm down and do the best possible job.
Keep at it.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Contragirl
Date: 1999-01-29 21:34
Will at UNH wrote:
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I would like to add my two cents by saying that even a decent bass clarinet player may have some serious difficulty playing a contra bass. These large beasts of the Clarinet family are very finickey and like to squeak and chirp and they are often in disrepair. I had the opportunity to play contra-alto in Bernstein's Slava, and i was so afraid of 'chirping' because at the first rehersal the conductor had to stop when he and the whole band were in stitches from watching me try to tame this fogotton instrument.
-Will
Hee hee, brings back memories...
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