 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-02-04 07:26
Hello
I am looking at alto clarinets online and I would like to know what companies are worth looking at. Maybe one day I'll be lucky and get a Buffet, but for now I am looking for a cheap reasonable instrument.
I'm not looking for a new instrument. I see there are used Bundys and if I'm not mistaken Vitos too which are plastic, are they worth consideration? I saw some older wooden altos for not much more money but some of them I've never heard of before (I saw Buescher, Kohlert, Leblanc, and more).
I'm leaning towards getting a clarinet that needs some repair to spend less and practice my repairs.
A list of brands that are worth considering and estimate price would be very helpful.
Thanks.
P.S. Does anyone know how to search on eBay for finished auction, so I can see the price a certain item is usually sold for.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-02-04 07:56
I've bought a couple of Leblanc altos (pro models) off eBay, but they've seen better days, even though they were a good price compared to what they retail at. They are both salvageable and I plan to have at least one of them working in time.
But the bells are the worst part of these - they've been bashed into all sorts of shapes and need taken apart, the dents taken out and then resoldered and finally replated to look and work as they should.
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Author: Tom A
Date: 2006-02-04 07:57
Go to "Advanced Search" in the top right of the screen (you'll also see it after you click on "BUY"). Underneath the keywords field is a checkbox for "Completed listings only". Tick it and then search as normal.
If you search for items available to your country, you'll find a few US sellers of altos. Shouldn't cost too much extra to get it across the pond.
----------------------------------------------
Baldrick, you wouldn't recognise a subtle plan if it painted itself purple and danced naked on a harpsichord singing "Subtle plans are here again". - Edmund Blackadder
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2006-02-04 13:13
Several of us "nerds" have been comparing horns and experiences on Walt's New Bass Cl "group-site", suggest a visit. As I said there and elsewhere, my A C experience is that the Selmer [B series ?] is by far the best, not needing "double register key" mechanisms via a Stubbins-like single R K. DRK AC's are hard to find, I gave an old '40's Pedler, it has a reliable mechansim, to our comm. band, its nearly as good [slightly larger bore] as my Sel. Look, try if you can , and consider features vs price. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2006-02-04 13:43
I used a Leblanc when I played. It was a school instrument, but a new one and a very good one. I see them all the time on the auction site you mentioned. I agree the Selmers are also good.
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2006-02-04 13:46
I have two altos, both Lebanc Paris models and they both have a nice sound, although the Selmers I've tried have a BIGGER sound. The mechanism on the LeBlancs though seems to be better.
My first alto was bought from WWBW as a used horn for ~$400. What a deal, huh? I have seen quite a few of these on Ebay that looked about the same as that one and going for reasonable prices. The one I bought was from Southern Illinois University's band and was used as a trade in. I would suggest trying either a similar route with some of the larger music houses or get more daring on EBay.
The case on the older one was beat up but you can get a cheap replacement case for it that looks quite good.
My seond was a more modern one, just slightly used and then reconditioned. It plays beautifully. I don't know that anyone but me realixzes the improvement over the MUCH cheaper older one. The new one does have a bigger sound but it's not quite a Selmer either.
Whatever alto you get try the Hawkins mouthpiece for alto clarinet/ basset horn as it works great and greatly improves intonation/ sound.
Plan B is to try one of the cheaper horns in plastic, but I think I'd hold off and cse if you can find a better wood one. It might even be worth telling one of the musifc houses, "if you get a wood alto in trade, let me know."
Eefer guy
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Author: ron b
Date: 2006-02-04 18:37
Hi, Clarnibass:
I've been playing a Bundy bass clarinet and a Bundy alto clarinet for going-on two and a half years. I bought them both at a well known auction site and have been pleased with both since then. While I do my own repairs, these instruments have needed nothing except some minor adjustment since I've owned them -- pads are still good and cork is all in place. Both have double register-key mechanism. I did change mouthpieces for something I like better on the alto. The mouthpiece that was included with the bass is fine (for me). They're fun to play.
I don't remember the price now but it couldn't have been over three hundred -- and I believe it was more down around the two hundred dollar (U.S.D.) figure... or my wife would have killed me and no one would be reading this post today :])
If you do your own repair/maintenance (I strongly recommend that approach, by the way) you probably could do even better than I did... price-wise.
In my opinion, Bundy altos are as good as any student line instruments you'll find anywhere; intonation is reasonable, mechanism is solid and overall they're good sturdy instruments. Others may be just as good, I just have had little 'intimate' experience with them. The ones I've worked on for schools (Buescher, LeBlanc) and students' instruments have been perfectly acceptable, in my experience.
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2006-02-04 19:08
I prefer good old trusty Kohlerts to Leblancs, Vitos, and Bundys. Kohlerts pop up from time to time on the Internet Auction Site Whose Name Shall Not Be Mentioned (IASWNSNBM). Also look at Robert Malerne alto clarinets or the many 'stencil' brands of that instrument (Conn, King, Linton, Olds, Marigaux, Boosey & Hawkes, Evette & Schaeffer, Huntley and Brinkley*, etc. etc.).
Either of these designs should be less than $200 in reasonably good condition, but expect to have at least some work done to get them up to snuff. I've tried lots of Leblanc-Paris alto clarinets and every one has played stuffy and usually out of tune also -- not worth the money IMHO unless you can get one really cheap that isn't cracked or has only minor cracks.
*just kidding about that last one
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Author: lyn
Date: 2006-02-05 02:11
If you aren't used to playing alto, you may want the ones with covered keys on the tone holes rather than open ones....will avoid a lot of squeakage...
That said, if you don't want to buy a good wooden horn, the old plastic Selmers, Bundys, Leblancs and Vitos have served most band programs well and as long as you have a decent mouthpiece & ligature you should be good to go. You can find Selmer mouthpieces for alto clarinet online a lot.
I have a harder time finding reeds for the durn things....kids will go to the stores and no one has alto clarinet reeds - they try to sell them sax reeds!!! I got so mad once, I took an alto mouthpiece in just to show them how they DON'T fit. Grrrr.......
I just order a box from Weiner and keep them in my desk drawer. (Sigh.)
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-02-05 06:10
Attachment: LeblancAltoClarinetType1.jpg (6k)
Attachment: LeblancAltoClarinetType2.jpg (7k)
About Leblanc altos - I found two types. One has a neck that looks like a regular alto neck, and the other has a little cruvier neck, that is a little bit like a bass clarinet neck. Both types are a little old and used.
I attached pictures. These are not the exact instruments but the necks are similar.
Does anyone know about the differences? Maybe one neck type means it is newer/older or better/worse or anything.
Thanks.
Post Edited (2006-02-05 06:14)
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Author: buedsma
Date: 2006-02-05 09:44
excerpt from http://www.lynsgarden.co.uk/Clarinets.html
A note about Leblanc family altos. (Leblanc pro, Noblet, Vito)
Leblanc tell me that the pro design was changed about #7000 (1964) when the 'slightly bent' neck changed to the 'crook' type. (I don't know whether some strange goings on duplicated some serial numbers but I have seen three numbers around 5000 which are of the later design! I suspect that instruments sold in the USA were renumbered.) The later neck took about 25mm off the upper joint length so the wrong neck (which I have seen!) can give a funny horn in E or D! The bore also seems to have been enlarged a little about the same time. The earlier ones play a bit more 'reedy' than the later ones (or maybe just easier!) and have a more conventional hand position because of the longer upper body. I have heard it said that the extra wood in the top joint of the early ones and the Noblets, makes for a better sound. Not sure I can believe that, but who am I ... Personally I like the crook type neck better because of the more comfortable angle and higher hands. The ones I have had all play in a very similar way. The Selmers I have are 17.0mm bore while the various Leblancs and Noblet have been around 18mm, Vito 18.25. Leblanc have the trill keys 15mm nearer to the right hand than Selmer. The Leblanc layouts are almost identical except that the Leblanc pro has the auto speaker mechanism operated from the 'A' key, while the Noblet and Vito work from the Thumb key. The pro also has LH3 closing the Bb tonehole between LH1 and LH2 like the bridge mechanism does. I can't find a use for that unless it is around F5 in the altissimo and then I don't play well enough to comment on its usefulness. Must be there for some reason though. Makes a very flat forked clarinet Bb or chalameau Eb.
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Author: Drenkier_1
Date: 2006-02-05 15:40
Why would you even want to have an alto clarinet? Just use your schools or don't play them, you'd be better off getting a contra alto, they actually have a nice color to add to any wind ensemble.
Kevin Collins
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-02-05 15:44
The linked LH fingerplates on Leblanc altos (and basset horns) do give an excellent Db-Eb or Ab-Bb trill - play Db or Ab and trill with LH finger 2 only to give an Eb or Bb depending on which register you're in. And make getting round fast runs in sharp or flat keys easier without the need of the side Eb/Bb key.
As on full Boehms.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-02-05 16:56
"Why would you even want to have an alto clarinet? Just use your schools or don't play them, you'd be better off getting a contra alto, they actually have a nice color to add to any wind ensemble."
Strange post.... I don't want a contra-alto. My school (university actually) doesn't have an alto or a contra-alto. We barely have alto clarinets in my country, and I think maybe we don't have any contras (Eb or Bb) in the entire country.
I don't play in wind ensembles. I play mostly jazz mostly improvised music. I want the alto because it is not as low as the bass and not as high as the soprano. Contra-alto will be much more expensive, and if I got a contra it would be a Bb contrabass anyway. I don't think a contra-alto can do much more than my low C bass can.
Thanks very much everyone for you help, I appreciate it.
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Author: HungryTurkey
Date: 2006-02-06 01:19
A trusty plastic older Vito served my high school very well. It played nicely, I just had to be aware of loose screws (mine and the clarinets ) Was complimented at district band, competitions, etc. I don't remember the ligature on it, but the mouthpiece was a C*.
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Author: marcia
Date: 2006-02-06 04:33
I have had some experience with altos. (and I am in the nerd category as I do own one) My first experience was with a Buffet. I love my pair of R 13s but the Buffet alto was very stuffy and I found the key work extremely awkward and I felt like I was doing battle with it every time I played it. Some years later I played a friend's Yamaha while my recently purchased Leblanc was in the shop being ressurected. It was much more free blowing than the Buffet and the key work was more comfortable but was still a stretch. When my Leblanc was finally restored to playing condition (by that magician Morrie) it was quite free blowing and the best thing about it is the key work is almost as comfortable as my soprano clarinets. Definitely far superior to any other I had played. It has plateau keys that are spaced very similar to the smaller instruments so it is not much of a stretch at all. For someone with large hands it might not be an issue but it was for me.
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Author: Shorthand
Date: 2006-02-06 05:26
I had never put together the fact that you're in Israel.
The big issue with Altos is intonation. AFAIK there are still no polycylindrical models.
You can be thankful that there are real mouthpieces avialable for them these days from Walter Grabner and others.
AFAIK, and I'm not a huge expert, the trends in Alto design largely follow Bass design. The Selmers have a bigger sound and the LeBlancs are more polite and "clarinetlike". However, the traditional weakness of LeBlanc basses - their lack of a double register vent, is no big deal on the alto. The selmers will sacrafice tuning for free-blowing and beautiful sounds and the LeBlancs more the other way around.
Up until recently, only LeBlanc and Selmer took harmony clarinets seriously (It was a personal obsession of G. LeBlanc himself, who built a BBBb Contra-Contra bass just to see if he could.)
I don't know if Buffet has been serious about basset horns from the start, but I think they ignored the alto as much as they did the bass until the last decade or so as opposed to leveraging any efforts they made on the Basset Horn for the Alto Clarinet's benefit.
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2006-02-06 08:10
clarnibass - I had a go on a 'type 1' Leblanc alto once - it was lovely. Played like butter. It was an ancient instrument - pre-1964 sounds believable. Think it had a 5RV on it.
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Author: Terry Stibal
Date: 2006-02-06 17:09
To some, 1964 ain't so ancient. It was about then that I was paid cash money to perform on an alto clarinet...well, that and the bass clarinet mouthpieces that I boosted...
leader of Houston's Sounds Of The South Dance Orchestra
info@sotsdo.com
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2006-02-06 17:40
I wonder why there's such a bias against the alto clarinet out there in the public, even with other clarinetists.
Actually I was playing both the alto and the bassett horn yesterday instead of watching the inane pre-Super Bowl shows. Both really can play almost anything in the clarinet literature well and really no more difficult to play than a Bb (I do have large hands though) and certainly both are much easier than either bass or the Eefer. The sound of an alto is pretty mellow and my LeBlanc has really wonderful intonation too. The Adagio of the Mozart Concerto is especially lovely on alto, for example.
So if all of this is true, why the lack of interest or outright condemnation? Is it like Eefer in that there are a lot of bad players ( I can remember years ago that the alto clarinets were passed onto lower members of the clarinet section than Eefers or the bass for example.)?
Anyway, this might be a little off the track of our first question but some of the comments in this track seem to be in that direction.
EEfer guy
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Author: ron b
Date: 2006-02-06 18:58
Interesting comments, EEfer guy.
As for the question, [paraphrased]'why would anyone want to own an alto clarinet?' :
How about, "Because I'm a *clarinet* player  ."
****************************************
I've never heard a discouraging word come my way regarding the alto clarinet. On the contrary, many folks find it an interesting variation and comment on how they like the mellow sound. A fellow clarinettist or two have even asked, ("pretty please"), if they could borrow my instrument for a gig now and then.
If we (the woodwinds, the fiddlers, the drummers and strummers, etc.) took all the humor-intended comments seriously... no one would ever get their instruments out again :(
Make beautiful music wherever you go, whatever you play and the smiles will outweigh the frowns 100%... (my personal money-back guarantee to you )
- ron b -
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2006-02-06 20:19
Why is the alto clarinet dismissed by many?
1) It is often badly played because, yes, in many schools the worst players are handed the alto clarinet (or bass clarinet) and told, "you play this".
2) Hand-in-hand with the first reason, most alto clarinetists play school-owned instruments, which are typically in a poor state of repair and/or adjustment.
3) The only widespread performance venue for alto clarinets is in concert/military bands. With a few rare exceptions, they are not used in symphony orchestras, nor jazz bands, nor popular music. In concert bands, their parts can be handled by the bass clarinets and third soprano clarinets overlapping. They are used in clarinet choirs, too, but how many people listen to clarinet choir music?
4) And when was the last time anyone off the street asked you to serenade them with some nice alto clarinet noodling? Get real, folks.
Don't get me wrong -- I kind of like the poor little alto clarinet (and I even own one, or two if you count up all the extra alto parts in my shop).
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Author: BassetHorn
Date: 2006-02-06 20:25
Maybe some people think alto clarinets just look goofy? : ) Toilet plunger anyone?
I love my Malerne alto. Heck, I love clarinet of all sizes!
Who besides me want a Steve Fox G clarinet? http://www.sfoxclarinets.com/G_clarinet.html
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Author: Gandalfe
Date: 2006-02-06 20:35
> EbClarinet1 sez: Actually I was playing both the alto and the bassett horn yesterday instead of watching the inane pre-Super Bowl shows. Both really can play almost anything in the clarinet literature well and really no more difficult to play than a Bb (I do have large hands though) and certainly both are much easier than either bass or the Eefer. The sound of an alto is pretty mellow and my LeBlanc has really wonderful intonation too. The Adagio of the Mozart Concerto is especially lovely on alto, for example.
Hey, I was too! I have a lovely Leblanc alto clarinet that is soooo sweet sounding. As a Seahawk's fan it was a nice way to cool down. ;o)
Jim and Suzy
Pacifica Big Band
Seattle, Washington
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-02-06 21:26
How come alto clarinets get a raw deal? I don't play alto myself, but why do they seem to attract a smilar amount of ridicule and jibes normally reserved for viola players?
Where I work it's bassoons that get it in the neck, and in big bands it's the trombones. But then again, the brass players join forces and like to ridicule us saxes - I can't see why as we're not the ones competing who can play the highest, loudest and longest as trumpet players tend to do - and there's less of us saxes but they still moan we're too loud. Just shows that brass players don't like getting it throw back at them at rehearsals when we're sitting facing them, after all - it's us saxes usually sat in front with them blaring/screaming away behind us all evening.
So is the brass band equivalent the tenor horn, baritone or euphonium that attracts similar ridicule?
As Adam Ant once said 'Ridicule is nothing to be scared of'.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2006-02-06 22:17
At least violas get to play in orchestras, and have solo works written for them. The alto clarinet is much more of a 'pariah' than the viola.
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2006-02-07 12:59
After all this interesting discussion in the last few days I pulled out my vintage (`1968) LeBlanc alto and also the modern one (1998). Whoever mentioned the neck angles is certainly right. The older one just sort of tapers up and the newer one is at a more "friendly" angle, sort of like what the Bay modified bass clarinet necks do. However I didn't find either neck to awkward, especially compared to bass clarinet positions on the non-Bay necks. Oddly I hadn't noticed this until someone above in this thread mentioned it. Thanks!
There is a little difference in the quality of the sound as I switched necks from one to the other. The more "friendly" one I liked the tone a bit better although I didn't compare pitch as of yet.
Either neck was able to fire through the Mozart concerto nicely. It really sounds lovely on alto.
Thanks for all of your interesting comments on why the alto clarinet is so bashed. I play English horn in the symphony and I think we are in the same boat as the alto clarinet. Worse yet I sit right next to the last violas and we can complain together at our lowly position in the orchestra. Oh well, at least the English horn has a couple of sexy solos, like in the Swan of Tuonela and Concerto Aranjuez. I have done sa couple pieces using alto in the symphony but these are either in modern pieces or subbing for bassett horn,
EEfer guy
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2006-02-07 15:18
Wow!
I googled 'leblanc alto' and this was the top clarinet hit:
http://www.dominicsmusic.com/productpages/prod_401.html
... It's metal!
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2006-02-07 15:23
A fine summary and experience, Eb Cl, makes me interested in some neck-angle investigation for my Selmer, my present one is not particularly comfortable, but has the "tuning slide", with the curve below it. It seems to me that an additional 10-15 degrees would be desireable [more like an alto sax angle ??]. Dave S, et al, at "band tuning" pitch [440 +/- 2?] its length is about 14.5 cm [5.7 "] at its centerline, diameter at U J 16.65 to 16.70 mm as "reachable" by my caliper, the same in the socket-slide end, cant reach the socket's depth. My 2 best mps are slightly greater dia., the Pomarico showing tenon-taper [expansion] of about 0.2 mm [hope I'm measuring it correctly] ! We prob. should pursue further discussions by private E-M, but I want/hope to explore alto neck knowledge/availability which our experts may have. I also wanted to observe, Eb, that except for the lack of a low D [Basset Horn's C], the Eb alto "covers " its range, and a bell-tube could be used to lower the Eb, assuming no immediate "music" conflict ! Thots on a cloudy AM, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-02-07 16:51
About the alto clarinet being dismissed by many, here is my answers to David's reasons.
1. It is almost never badly played around here. Since there are no alto clarinets in schools, and almost no school orchestras, there is no one to play alto clarinet. Almost anyone who plays alto clarinet is a player who is interested in it enough to buy one.
2. Hand-in-hand with the first answer, there are basically no bad alto clarinets since most who buy one get a good one.
3. Since I plan to use it only in free jazz and improvised music then this doesn't apply to me or matters at all.
4. If I would play music according to what the avarage person from the street ask, I wouldn't be playing 90% of what I play now. I wouldn't even listen to most music I listen to....
Also, if I didn't know about this forum I would never even know the alto clarinet is "dismissed". This forum is the first time I heard that, and around here if anything people will be excited about the unique instrument.
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2006-02-07 17:41
Don, I actually was thinking of getting a Selmer neck as it would be tuneable but sort of gave up the idea when no one at the music centers could get just a neck for a Selmer alto, although they could for basses. However, neither LeBlanc has been close to remarkably out of tune if I use the F# (concert A) fingering that utilzes the sliver key.
If you're having problems with the awkward position of the Selmer however I think you will like the newer LeBlancs. They are very much in the idea of the Bay bass necks. With the floor peg at its greatest extension (I'm 6'3 "), it fits quite naturally in my mouth. Makes it very nice for playing.
Sorry to veer off thids thread but I think there might be others who would find this useful rather than a provate email to Don.
Sounds as though both Don and I should be in Israel where we would be appreciated for our strange instruments. Although some conductors do appreciate us for having something other than a Bb, others just sort of shake their heads.
Eefer guy
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Author: Wes
Date: 2006-02-07 22:38
One gentleman I knew always said that he played basset horn, but when he got it out, it was a Selmer alto clarinet.
The Leblanc alto from ebay that I bought at a very low cost is like new and is great but I have rarely used it. A while back, I got a CD from a quite fine sax player and he did some good jazz playing on it.
A Bundy alto clarinet that sounded stuffy opened up a lot after I undercut most of the tone holes a little bit. It's tuning is ok. Again, don't tell your bandleader that you own one of these or you might be asked to play it.
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Author: Michelle
Date: 2006-02-10 00:53
One question would be whether you prefer open or closed holes. In general, the student models will have open holes (and be plastic) and for the most part, wooden altos will have closed holes. There are a few exceptions. If you make that decision you're halfway there.
Next question would be whether you have a brand preference. For example, I can't stand Leblanc/Vito because of the flat keys. I know others who prefer them, but I don't. That also ruled out several other Leblanc copies and left me looking for mainly Selmers and Buffets and their knock-offs.
I ended up with a gorgeous 1960's Buffet, and if I can just get the buzzing out of the middle B and C I'll be ecstatic. It has a beautiful sound, the wood is perfect and it's nearly dead-on in tune from top to bottom.
I don't have any advice on price but to search completed auctions on IASWNSNBM.
Good luck...
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2006-02-10 11:58
I love the sound of an alto clarinet, if it's a good one that doesn't wheeze out just above the register break. Try before you buy, if possible. That stuffiness abvoe the break is one reason why many clarinet players think the alto is a bad instrument, but not all altos have that problem. My nerd credential is a pro-quality Selmer from the 1980s, with the covered keys and without the stuffiness. I bought it used. The free-blowing quality appeals to me a lot, especially with alto sax reeds. I don't notice a lot of intonation problems. I'm an adult, but the covered keys are a must for me because I have small hands (barely an octave on the piano, and the octave is a big stretch) with thin fingers--something else to factor in when you make a decision.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: Veldeb
Date: 2006-02-10 20:16
Well in addition to some of the reasons to own an alto...
It's sometimes included in clarinet quartet music
You can play a cello part on it without transposing (just change the key signature adding 3 sharps or subtracting 3bs and pretend its in treble clef)
note thats the best reason to buy a contra alto for symphonic band.. you can "read" the string bass or tuba parts the same way...
Blake
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2006-02-10 20:22
As Blake says -- I'm playing contra-alto in a community band currently doing exactly what he wrote in his last sentence (this particular band has only one tuba and a weak player at that, so mostly I'm playing his part). But as for the alto clarinet, this same band has none nor do they seem to want one! The few alto clarinet parts of any importance, I'm playing on contra-alto, an octave up whenever possible (talk about a goofy sound.........).
On some pieces I have a choice of tuba (bass) parts or string bass parts -- they are mostly the same notes, except the string bass parts are written an octave higher so, along with the "read bass clef as if treble clef and add three sharps" transposition, I also have to play the notes down an octave --- and this messes up my brain. So I'll choose the tuba part when I can.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2006-02-10 20:52
Well said, Dave, Re: the simplified transposition "trick". We are now [band]rehearsing Gershwin's Am. in Paris and, on alto cl, all I have to play is a contra alto part, so when I cant go down an octave, its a bit strange [an octave above those dern tubas]. But who really cares?? Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: BassetHorn
Date: 2006-02-10 21:02
Best use of contra alto clarinet in my opinion:
Play music for violoncello, using the transposition trick, and you will be in the right sonic range. No need to transpose down an octave.
This opens up a rich repertoire.... Wonder how Dvorak's cello concerto would sound like with the contra alto.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2006-02-10 21:24
Willy,
That's fine, except in concert bands (where the contra-alto is most often found) there are no cello parts to transpose (whereas many concert band arrangements DO include a string bass part, for reasons unknown to me). And no self-respecting symphony orchestra would allow the real cellos to be doubled by an alto clarinet (I would hope). As for solo music, whatever........play 'em on sarrussophone if you like..........
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Author: BassetHorn
Date: 2006-02-10 21:33
Very true Dave, I also play my contra alto on string bass and tuba parts. I am not good at transposing on the spot, so I actually write out the music (transpose trick + down an octave) separately to make it easier.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-02-11 00:27
I use the same 'tranposition' when playing bassoon or trombone parts on bari sax. Only thing I have to remember is not to add 3 shars when reading Eb bari parts - like this evening when reading 5th trombone and bari sax parts at the same time - I played a G# instead of a G natural, just went into autopilot I suppose.
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