 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ebonite
Date: 2015-01-12 20:46
I had always thought that the Selmer Eb rosewood contra alto clarinets were built either to low E or low Eb, but a listing on ebay has recently finished for an instrument that seems to be built to low C# (concert E).
The link is here (you have to scroll down to see the completed listing, where there are some pictures that can be magnified):
http://tinyurl.com/mtn2z53
The low Eb key is linked to a pad cup on the body (this pad closes to produce low Eb). There is one other pad cup lower down on the body, which must close to produce low D. Finally, there is a pad on the bell, which presumably closes to produce low C#, emitted from the bell. I guess that the lowest two pad cups are ultimately connected to thumb keys, but there are no views of the back of the instrument.
This seems to be an original Selmer manufacture, as the selmer logo appears on the lowest part of the lower joint.
Does anybody know anything about this instrument? I've never seen another one like it. I guess it could be useful to be able to cover the full range of the standard 4-string double bass (lowest note is concert E).
BTW, I waited until the auction was complete before posting, so I hope this is ok, wrt the bboard rules.
(edited to add clickable link)
Post Edited (2015-01-12 21:02)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-01-12 21:06
I'm surprised they didn't go the whole hog and build it to low C. I assume it has two thumb keys for the low D and C#, but it's a shame they weren't pictured.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Mark Horne
Date: 2015-01-14 23:40
I had noticed the same contra and came to the same conclusion that the extended keywork allowed for covering the low E of a string bass part. I own a Selmer model 40 keyed to low Eb and I could have used the extra low D and Db on a few occasions, especially when reading string bass parts.
Until I saw the auction I also never realized that anyone besides Leblanc made a contra alto with anything below Eb. The extra two keys are activated by the right thumb - there is a Canadian seller on the same auction site that has the lower joint only - improperly identified as a Bb contra - that shows the additional keys in one of the pictures.
Why not go all the way to low C? My guess is that it is a matter of practicality - the model 40 to low Eb already requires a fairly high seating position; the extra few inches to accommodate the lower range keys would probably require an extra cusion or two. Adding low C would require most players to stand or use a tall stool.
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