 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: karlbonner82
Date: 2010-05-16 12:34
Take a look at this one:
http://www.clarinuts.com/clarinuts/pages/C815.asp#
Where's the Eb key? Only four keys for the right pinky! But it looks like it has one somewhere based on the bell and very bottom of the main tube.
Anyway...I'm curious as to how much one would expect to pay for a used nonwood bass in "good" condition? (Good means no serious re-padding or body work need be done!) I'm sure that eventually I'll end up with one but bass would definitely not be my budget priority; don't want it to cost more than the highest-quality soprano I eventually end up with.
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2010-05-16 13:59
If he doesn't post here shortly, I would send David Spiegelthal an email. He knows a great deal about bass clarinets in all varieties.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2010-05-16 14:56
Chiming in with my two cents' worth: From the apparent length of the instrument and lack of a fifth pinky spatula I believe the Pedler in question has a range only down to low E. The only bass clarinets I've ever seen that operate a low Eb key with a thumb key are certain Oehler-system instruments (such as my F. Arthur Uebel).
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2010-05-16 15:23
The photo is fuzzy so it's not completely clear but from the keys and mechanics that are possible to see, it looks like a low E bass clarinet where the bell key is the low E key.
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2010-05-16 15:26
This is indeed only a low E instrument. I recently purchased a different Pedler bass clarinet with a range to low Eb and it has an additional pad cup on the lower joint just above the bell operated by a standard spatula key.
As for karlbonner82's question on the cost of used bass clarinets, it depends on what you are looking for and what kind of playing you ultimately want to do. If you want to play in an orchestra you will need one with a range down to low C and that will be very expensive (a few thousand at least) even if used. If you can live with a low Eb instrument the situation improves somewhat. You are probably going to have to spend around $800 to get a decent used one in good playing condition.
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Author: GLHopkins
Date: 2010-05-16 17:19
This bass extends only to low E. I had a Selmer Paris that only went to low E for awhile. They can play well, but just don't have the range. I've seen a picture of a bass that went down to low D within the last month, but I don't recall where it was.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2010-05-16 21:17
In the (classical) stuff I've played on my bass, I have so far encountered exactly one (1) low Eb note, and that was in the final chord (with everyone blaring at fff) of a piece. :-)
--
Ben
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2010-05-16 23:50
Slightly off-topic maybe, but in your experience often are the notes on the low-C extension actually needed? I've been told that for orchestra work a low-C bass is basically a requirement these days but I'm not sure just how often that extra range is put to use.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2010-05-17 03:24
>> My Selmer (low C) has a thumb low Eb key. Though it also has a RH pinky low Eb key. <<
Selmers (with low C) usually have that key but the bass clarinet in the photos is different with the bell key looking like the E key. There is no real sign of an Eb key (i.e. the part with pad on it) regardless of where the lever/touchpiece would be.
>> in your experience often are the notes on the low-C extension actually needed? <<
It depends. If you are a musician (and play bass clarinet) who is going in a direction to try to find new things and break boundaries, then you most likely can find ways that make sense for many different tools you have, one of them is the extra notes. If you only play specific music in a certain group, like a band or an orchestra, then it will only depend on what that group and you play.
I originally bought a low C bass clarinet because I just had a feeling that I want/need it. The same type of feeling that I had many years ago that I wanted to play clarinet. A feeling that is a part of you, not something to control. It is now very rare that I don't use all or almost all the notes to the low C in a concert or rehearsal.
Post Edited (2010-05-17 03:27)
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Author: Fishamble
Date: 2010-05-17 07:56
"...but in your experience often are the notes on the low-C extension actually needed?"
In wind ensemble repertoire in my experience the low-C extension notes arise frequently. I started with a borrowed low-Eb bass, and was frustrated enough when the time came to buy my own that a full-range bass was an important requirement.
I assume that a lot of the lighter band arrangements assume that only low-Eb basses are available, and I find that using the low D - C# - C instead of the written notes an octave higher often improve the line of the bass part, and create a fuller, warmer sound in the group.
David.
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Author: RoBass
Date: 2010-05-18 12:00
lower than E? -> the solution: subcontrabass clarinet ;-)
kindly
Roman
PS: Looks like a typical low E instrument. Could be worth some hundreds or more than thousand - depending of the condition to use...
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