 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: TheSaxyOne21
Date: 2003-08-08 15:56
Hey all! I've been playing clarinet for 3 1/2 years now, and am considering getting a contra-alto clarinet to play as a low woodwind for bass lines and bassoon parts, without learning how to play bassoon. I know it's in the key of EEb which means that it can sight-transpose bass clef lines very easily.
Does anybody have any information or advice about the Contra-alto? I would really appreciate information on instruments (I'm thinking about buying the plastic Selmer 1440 because of the price and decency of the instrument).
Information on reeds would be great too, doing research on WWBW.com, I haven't found too many reeds for the contra-alto. I've heard of using Bari or Bass sax reeds on the instrument. Does this work well?
Also, if anyone has any sound clips of the contra-alto I would LOVE to hear it! Please send links. Thanks, Jaimie.
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Author: allencole
Date: 2003-08-08 16:08
Well, your low G take you to the bottom of the bassoon's range (I think), but be prepared to play a lot of high notes--particularly if involved in chamber music. Bassoon upper range could take you into your altissimo.
Because of this, make sure your horn has a double register vent. I played a Bundy contra-alto in 7th grade, and thought that it had a double vent. Can't be sure, though.
I played bassoon parts on a bass in a ww quintet and the transposing wasn't bad--although it certainly would be easier on a E-flat instrument. The tessitura of the parts made me glad that I was on bass, though, and even then my plastic yamaha was pretty stuffy without that dual register vent.
A good strategy might be to research the features of different models, and do some searching on Ebay. In my area, contra-altos are out of vogue in the schools, and there may be some deals waiting to be had. Heck, now I've got the fever, too.
Allen Cole
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2003-08-08 16:59
I play a 1960's-vintage Buescher (identical to Bundy/Selmer-USA 1440) EEb contra-alto occasionally in a good wind ensemble and once a month in a good clarinet choir --- it's a decent and affordable instrument and very useful. I prefer EEb contra-alto over the BBb contrabass because of the ability to play concert-pitch bass clef parts (tuba, string bass, contrabassoon) by adding three sharps/negating three flats and pretending the music is in treble clef. With the right mouthpiece (and note that almost all stock mouthpieces for contra are much too close and have too short a facing) and decent reeds (baritone sax reeds are near enough to the same size to be used and have a better selection available), the contra-alto can sound very much like a big bass clarinet. Try Clark Fobes for a good mouthpiece, or the lowly Bundy 3 can be refaced to work quite well. Lots of fun to play, and can add a really solid bottom if well-played with confidence. I've never tried the only other "affordable" EEb contra out there (the Vito) but I've read it's not quite as good as the Selmer-USA product. These plastic contras are readily available on eBay, in good working condition (with some care by the buyer) for under $1000. I got mine two years ago on eBay for $800, it needed very little work, and has served me well.
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Author: LCL
Date: 2003-08-08 17:23
I second everything Dave said. I personally play a Selmer 40 Rosewood Contra-alto that I got less than 2 years ago. Although it's not new, having been manufactured according to the serial number, in 1968, it is a really nice horn, which plays very well in tune. I use a Clark Fobes Mpc. with a 2 1/2 Legere bari-sax reed, which I've modified a bit. Of course it cost much, much more than the plastic model, but it's what I wanted and could afford. Nevertheless, Dave gave you some great advice, and I'm confident that you'll love playing the EEb, if you get one. I play mine as well as the bass clarinet in a community band, of which I've been a member for 20 yrs. I've played the clarinet family of instrumnets, except the bassit horn/clarinet for the past 47 yrs. as an amateur, but the EEb is my absolute favorite.
Best regards and good luck,
LCL
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Author: William Hughes ★2017
Date: 2003-08-08 18:10
Dave is right on and also very modest. I bought the Selmer/Bundy model Contra Alto on eBay two years ago. Although it was in good shape, I shipped it to DS for his once over and also to have him reface a new Selmer C* mouthpiece for it. I get many compliments on the tone.
As far as reeds, the best I have found are the Van Doren bari sax reeds. Buy them harder than you need and work them down to get the best tone. (There are several posts in the archives on this, especially from Ken Shaw, I believe.) The bari sax reeds also must be narrowed a bit for my mouthpiece. I have wanted to try a Legere or Fibracell and may do so when my current box runs out.
The bassoon parts do tend to run you up into the clarion and even altissimo registers, but that's where the melodies are. Last week I sat in with a new (for me) community band. We rehearsed just before the concert and I played the second bassoon folder. Then the second bassoonist showed up and sniffed, "I am not going to double with a 'bass' clarinet." I played the concert looking on with the baritone sax who, thankfully, did not have an attitude.
Good luck to you!
"Low is the way to go and Eb is where it's at."
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Author: TheSaxyOne21
Date: 2003-08-08 19:35
Thanks all for the quick replies. It sounds like alot of fun. I have a question about the Selmer/Bundy model. Does it have the second register vent that allencole mentioned?
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Author: William Hughes ★2017
Date: 2003-08-08 20:25
Yes, the Selmer/Bundy has the second register vent. It does not, for some reason best explained by the technically minded out there, have the half-hole L1 found on basses and altos.
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-08-08 22:08
Learn the bassoon it sounds like you like playing in that sort of register. The bassoon is probably more usable than a contra alto in more settings. It is a large outlay for an instrument with limited use and you could probably pick up a second hand bassoon quite reasonably. Of course the bassoon is inappropriate for a clarinet choir but playing bassoon parts on any sized clarinet is dodgy performance practice.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2003-08-09 02:30
Amen to the above. The Bundy contra alto is a fine instrument, well in tune, and a joy to play if there is an opportunity. Mine was $800 on ebay and well worth it. I have a Selmer C* mouthpiece which I refaced. The instrument is also very free of adjustment problems as it is used as a one-piece body instrument(actually made of two pieces). A man I know who has one wants to separate it into two body pieces and get a smaller case, although I have never heard of him ever getting a gig or rehearsal for it. It makes no sense to me to do that although he may not wish to show up at a gig with a long plastic instrument???? Good luck with it!!
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2003-08-11 14:14
Contra clarinets don't have a half-hole vent for the l.h. index finger because there isn't a pad underneath that key -- instead the key operates a pad farther up through a linkage -- thus to get an altissimo 'vent' you have to actually build a separate key to operate a separate vent tube farther up the horn from where your finger is. I tried such an experiment two years ago on my Bueshcher EEb contra-alto, building a little 'sliver' key just under the index finger key and installing various sizes of register tube at a few different locations on the tube. The combinations of tube size and location I tried were somewhat helpful in obtaining the altissimo notes, but not nearly as successful as I had hoped -- so I abandoned the idea for the moment, removed my extra keywork, filled in the holes in the instrument and went back to my fingering chart with my tail tucked between my legs........but it was a good try.......
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Author: Contrabasssax
Date: 2003-09-13 01:42
I use a Leblanc Model 352 Contra Alto Clarinet. I really like it. I can play up to the altissimo register without difficulty. You can use bass sax reeds but I would really recommend getting the correct type of reeds. http://www.wwbw.com/Item/?itemno=106524
Is the same kind of contra alto I use, so check it out if you want.
http://www.wwbw.com/Item/?itemno=27370
Are the kind of reeds I use. I use them in strength 2. And If I have to go all the up the clarinet I use strength 3..
Hope this Helps
Rory
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-09-14 23:18
I agree with Mark Pinner here ... if you can double on clarinet AND bassoon (a rare combination) you'll be more sought after as a pit musician.
I would rather spend a month in the Greek Islands than spend the money on a Contra-alto clarinet.
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Author: William Hughes ★2017
Date: 2003-09-15 05:10
Diz:
If you can get me a month in the Greek Islands for the price of my Contra- Alto, I will want-
1. The address where to ship the beast; and
2. The name of your travel agent.
Waiting expectantly....
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