 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Low_Reed
Date: 2011-01-20 15:15
Even though the lowly alto can't get no respect, I'm still somewhat intrigued. So here's a question for you lovers of clarinet arcana:
Does anyone know of a single brand and model of Eb alto clarinet that has the following (admittedly idiosyncratic) characteristics?
1) Plateau keys -- no open finger holes
2) Range to low Eb
3) Half-hole on L1, for help with altissimo
4) Not made from wood
5) With floor peg
I've done some due diligence with the search function; will do more. Am hoping you are intrigued.
Thanks!
Bruce
**Music is the river of the world!**
-- inspired by Tom Waits and a world full of music makers
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-01-20 15:34
A Leblanc Vito alto clarinet would satisfy all of your conditions except for the floor peg (which can be easily added). These can be frequently found on the auction site for ~$100-$150. Getting a floor peg kit and having the mount soldered to the bell would probably add another $50 but having played a few of these much maligned instruments before I'd say that they are small enough that you really don't need a floor peg.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2011-01-20 16:02
I currently have a Kohlert (Winnenden) hard rubber alto clarinet with all those features (except floor peg, which I've rarely seen used with alto clarinets, frankly); this is my personal instrument and I like it so much I have another one coming which I will probably sell some day. These are double-register-vent mechanism designs which in my experience play considerably better in the clarion register than the various Leblanc products (Vito, Normandy, Noblet, Leblanc) --- analogous to the situation with bass clarinets.
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Author: Gandalfe
Date: 2011-01-20 17:18
I only use my alto clarinet in clarinet choirs. In concert band, they seemingly disappear. I'm convinced that if an alto clarinet had a solo, they'd need two players to be heard. ;O)
Jim and Suzy
Pacifica Big Band
Seattle, Washington
Post Edited (2011-01-20 17:19)
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2011-01-20 17:49
I played alto clarinet in concert band only a few times, but I was definitely heard (since the parts were the solos in Della Joio's "Variants on a Medieval Theme", and another piece which I can't recall, something by Percy Grainger I think it was). Currently playing alto clarinet just a few times a year, in a clarinet choir. Fun, but only in small doses. I can tolerate about 12 total hours of alto clarinet per year, anything more than that would send me to the shrink in a straitjacket.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-01-20 18:12
Bruce, just going through your list ...
1) Plateau keys -- no open finger holes - check
2) Range to low Eb - check
3) Half-hole on L1, for help with altissimo - check
4) Not made from wood - check
5) With floor peg - check
... and here's what I found:
http://www.gear4music.com/Woodwind-Brass-Strings/Alto-Eb-Clarinet-by-Gear4music/A5X
But I don't hold out much hope for quality workmanship, accurate tuning, reliability or longevity which are four criteria you didn't specify!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2011-01-20 18:13)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-01-20 18:25
Attachment: yamahaaltoclarinet 001.JPG (654k)
Here's my Yamaha alto clarinet - minus the lyre box and sling ring, but gaining a floor spike and LH Ab/Eb lever.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-01-20 18:46
Attachment: yamahaaltobuffetbassethorn 001.JPG (685k)
Wonder if I can redeem myself with this photo? Some might say that's just made things infinitely worse!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2011-01-21 15:26
For those of you who own alto clarinets with floor pegs (my Selmer hasn't got one), is the peg removable? Does it come to a sharp point, like a cello peg, at the end that inserts into the bell? Just curious if it would make a good murder weapon (fictional, I hasten to add ... other writers and I have gotten some mighty funny looks in public places with such conversations...).
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
Post Edited (2011-01-21 15:27)
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2011-01-21 15:48
Lelia, an alto clarinet doesn't need a floor peg to be used as a murder weapon --- the sound alone is homicidal.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-01-21 16:07
My floorspikes don't have sharp ends - a slightly tapered and rounded end to make it go into the attachment easier and a specially shaped end piece for the Wolf Super Endpin to fit onto.
The one for my alto is a Bundy spike which is just a steel bar (unplated as it grips better than a plated one) which originally had squared-off ends before I tapered/rounded the top end and soft soldered on a turned brass fitting on the lower end for the Wolf endpin.
Has to be said they do hurt if you happen to get hit by one, but they won't puncture flesh unless they hit you end on at high velocity.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2011-01-22 13:06
Chris, thanx for the details on your altos!
David Spiegelthal wrote,
>> Lelia, an alto clarinet doesn't need a floor peg to be used as a murder weapon --- the sound alone is homicidal.
>>
Shadow Cat would've agreed with you. (Maybe her ghost borrowed your brain for a moment...?) But to my admittedly primate brain, an alto clarinet sounds like ... well, a clarinet, only lower!
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: justme
Date: 2011-01-22 15:31
The Alto Clarinet Sound...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_IA8K7xK8g
Just Me
"A critic is like a eunuch: he knows exactly how it ought to be done."
CLARINET, n.
An instrument of torture operated by a person with cotton in his ears. There are two instruments that are worse than a clarinet -- two clarinets
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Author: 78s2CD
Date: 2011-01-23 02:25
Someone said the definition of a nerd is someone who owns his own alto clarinet. I once owned two, but sold the nicer one because I like the sound of the old one I salvaged. I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with the sound of the alto. In fact, I'd be surprised if you could tell the difference in sound between my 50's vintage alto and the basset horn I traded in on my French horn. I find the alto to be a huge asset in clarinet chamber music from quartets to large clarinet choirs.
There are two main configurations of alto clarinets. One has a goose neck like a bass clarinet, which is impossible to play without at least a next strap, and benefits greatly from a peg. The other has a neck bent at a 45 degree angle. This is how mine is, and I often don't even use a strap.
Regards,
Jim Lockwood
Rio Rico AZ
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2011-01-24 17:21
Jim, I believe the "alto with a gooseneck" you're referring to is the Leblanc instrument, while all the other brands I'm aware of have a single-angled neck (not always 45 degrees, either; some are much less angled than that). Also, the latter style of alto clarinet pretty much requires a neckstrap too. Personally I wouldn't bother with a floor peg on any alto clarinet, but then again, I went 15+ years playing bass clarinet with just a neckstrap before I got my first floor peg.
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Author: 78s2CD
Date: 2011-01-24 21:55
David, The gooseneck alto I was referring to was indeed a Leblanc, as is the old single-angled one I now play. For all I know the newer Leblanc design may be unique to that brand. The 45 degrees was by eyeball, not measurement. The early 50's Leblanc is a wonderful playing instrument. That it "pretty much" requires a neck strap is pretty much accurate. Certainly endurance is an issue when holding if for a long time. However, I often play without the strap, especially on pieces with significant solo passages, because I find the strap constraining. Maybe there's a better type of strap to be had, but I don't see that there's a problem. Except for the endurance issue, the instrument is easy to play without the strap.
Best regards,
Jim
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Author: 78s2CD
Date: 2011-01-25 19:30
I received a CD of a clarinet quartet in Italy called QuartEthos Claria, led by Venceslao Biscontin. The CD contains pieces in a variety of genres that Biscontin has composed or arranged. The quartet is comprised of two Bb sopranos, an alto and a bass (or sometimes 2 sop and 2 bass). In many of the arrangements a soloist is added on a different instrument, such as trombone or sax. The sound that these guys get throughout is really excellent, and I think the alto (or second bass) adds tremendously. In my own clarinet ensemble playing I often transpose third parts and play them on the alto. Use of the alto in this way is successful enough that it is frequently requested by our clarinet choir director. I do believe that the lowly alto clarinet deserves a lot more respect that it usually gets!
Jim Lockwood
Rio Rico AZ
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Author: marcia
Date: 2011-01-25 21:43
I own an alto. It's a Leblanc with the goose neck. When I finally got a floor peg fitted it was much much easier to handle. I found it extremely awkward with just the neck strap.
>One has a goose neck like a bass clarinet, which is impossible to play >without at least a next strap, and benefits greatly from a peg.
I agree with that absolutely.
>is the peg removable?
Yes. Mine is actually a bass floor peg, with an extension that Morrie made for me.
>the solos in Della Joio's "Variants on a Medieval Theme", and another piece which I can't recall, something by Percy Grainger I think it was).
That would be Linconshire Posie, and yes it is by Grainger. Have thoroughly enjoyed playing the alto part in that piece.
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