 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ruben
Date: 2023-12-15 15:14
Is there anything stopping somebody from using the basset clarinet-which is in A for anything written for the A clarinet? This would enable us to transpose from viola parts too. There wouldn't be a half-tone missing at the bottom of the range. Having both an ordinary A clarinet and a basset clarinet would require most of us to take out a mortgage on our houses.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: graham
Date: 2023-12-15 17:08
As with a bass clarinet, the low C version is equally capable of playing parts written only to low E flat. As ebonite says, carrying one as part of a pair is much less convenient.
graham
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Author: prigault
Date: 2023-12-15 18:22
The Buffet BC XXI A model goes down to low Eb (as does the Bb model), which gives you concert C3 without the bulk and awkwardness of a basset clarinet.
On the other hand, a basset clarinet would allow to play string quartet pieces as written (i.e without transposing all parts because of the viola part, although one would have to transpose the A clarinet part a semitone up), for the great enjoyment of the low-C bass clarinet player who has paid so much more for his three low semitones...
Backun makes its possible for its Lumiere model to buy only the lower joint of the basset clarinet to complement a A clarinet. Unfortunately, the Lumiere is the only model to have this feature and is quite expensive already.
Personally, I am not too bothered with keeping low viola notes on that part (I have arranged quite a few clarinet quartets for three Bb and a low-C bass), they can often be arranged easily (given to the bass or arranged to another pitch).
Post Edited (2023-12-16 01:33)
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Author: maxopf
Date: 2023-12-16 03:14
Basset clarinet is substantially heavier and requires a neck strap, which would make quick changes between A and Bb that much more awkward in the orchestra. Additionally, it has a pretty different timbre and intonation in certain ranges, especially around E/B and F/C, which are long tube notes on regular A clarinets but not on basset. These notes sound a lot tighter than their counterparts on regular A clarinet, bordering on bright. In my experience the basset tends to be a bit smaller sounding throughout its range, and less projecting, on account of its additional length. If you were using it in an orchestra, unless your colleague also had a basset, I think blending and tuning would be a pain.
For solo repertoire, if you can deal with the different timbre, the lack of projection (less of an issue when doing the Mozart concerto with its smaller orchestra), and the extra weight, I guess there's nothing stopping you. I own a basset, and I personally wouldn't use it for anything that didn't require the extra range.
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Author: ruben
Date: 2023-12-16 11:46
Maxopf: Thank you for your insights! Your thread fully answers my question.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: graham
Date: 2023-12-16 19:20
Is there a reason for the basset clarinet A to be weak in projection given that there is no such effect in the corresponding dichotomy in bass clarinets?
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Author: maxopf
Date: 2023-12-17 01:54
I haven't tried a low Eb bass clarinet in a while, but my understanding is that there is actually a noticeable difference with the extra length. I think that's part of the rationale of the newer Buffet basses that have the detachable low end. If you don't need the low C/C#, you can detach that section and the resulting low-D bass clarinet projects and responds a little better. (I haven't tried one of these instruments yet, but this is at least what I've read about them).
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Author: ebonite
Date: 2023-12-17 03:10
when I had my low Eb bass clarinet converted to low C I didn't notice any difference in projection
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Author: Djudy
Date: 2023-12-17 13:52
ebonite ! I didn't realize it's possible to convert a low Eb bass to a C bass ?!? How is this done and why aren't all basses just C to begin with ? And how much does this cost ? (I could use a C bass but can't afford it)
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Author: ebonite
Date: 2023-12-17 15:21
Djudy wrote:
> ebonite ! I didn't realize it's possible to convert a low Eb
> bass to a C bass ?!? How is this done and why aren't all basses
> just C to begin with ? And how much does this cost ? (I could
> use a C bass but can't afford it)
>
An extra joint is turned from wood, and glued to the end of the existing lower joint. Keywork is built and installed on the new joint, including pad cups for the new tone holes and a linkage to the low C key on the bell. Thumb keys are built and installed on the existing lower joint. The job must be done by an instrument maker skilled at designing and making keywork. The cost was about GBP 1000 around 14 years ago.
It's only worth it if you have a good low Eb instrument to begin with.
Post Edited (2023-12-17 15:28)
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Author: Djudy
Date: 2023-12-18 17:29
ebonite wrote :
>It's only worth it if you have a good low Eb instrument to begin with.
After reading the steps described in the preceding description I had already quickly come to that conclusion !! And to that I might add 'and if your luthier is willing to take on all that work' !
Thank you for your informative reply, looks like I'll just keep my ear to the ground for a used low C instrument.
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Author: graham
Date: 2023-12-19 17:52
Or an extension piece can be added with a joint rather than anything permanent. I had one partly made and there was either no difference to the general playing characteristics of that bass, or it improved those characteristics marginally (but too close to be definite).
I can understand that the French clarinet broaching is lost by using a basset joint on an A, but I imagine that just makes it different rather than interior. But if one hopes for it to play exactly the same as a design with the broaching it’s best avoided altogether. After all, the Mozart pieces can be played without, and there’s little point sacrificing everything for some basset passages.
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2023-12-21 12:59
The extra weight and mechanics are both factors which would discourage using a basset clarinet for all A clarinet repertoire. These are possibly also part of the reason why the instrument never really caught on after Stadler.
Tone and intonation have also been mentioned. In my opinion this has more to do with modern basset clarinets which are not very well designed. Buffet, for instance, place the right-hand toneholes in exactly the same place, with exactly the same dimensions as a normal A clarinet. This is clearly incorrect given the different bore diameters. I also question the assumption that a basset clarinet is simply an elongated clarinet. For it to work optimally, it should be seen as something between a basset horn and a clarinet, with appropriately designed mouthpiece and reeds. Designing the instrument to be used with a B-flat mouthpiece (as is also the case with many Boehm C clarinets) is a compromise to start off with.
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Author: ruben
Date: 2023-12-21 23:26
Thank you for you informed answer, Liquorice. And merry Christmas!
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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