 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: hoobdeebla
Date: 2023-07-01 22:04
Hi all,
I am a clarinetist finishing up my undergraduate studies at Arizona State University and am currently spending my summer at the Monteux School in downeast Maine. I have just been assigned by the festival's executive director to perform the Mozart Quintet KV.581 on July 12th with a guest artist, a cellist from the Metropolitan Opera with historical performance experience. I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to use a basset clarinet! I am looking to rent one ASAP - every retailer I have found online only seems to rent professional-level A clarinets and low C basses, but not basset clarinets.
I have bought and sold many instruments and mouthpieces online through eBay and private channels, so I can help the horn's owner navigate the rental process if they're unfamiliar. I recognize that a) this is an extremely last-minute request and b) that ClarinetFest being right in the middle of this complicates things. Also, I play Rossi clarinets, so I would need a full horn (both joints, barrel and bell) instead of just a lower joint. Please let me know if you have a basset clarinet and would be willing to make something work this late notice.
Best,
-Adam Schay
adamschay@gmail.com
(602) 826-7521 (text preferred, will return voicemails ASAP)
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Author: maxopf
Date: 2023-07-02 04:45
Hi Adam,
RDG Woodwinds has a used RC Prestige basset on consignment right now. It might be worth reaching out to them to see if, with the owner's cooperation, they could rent it out to you? Just thought I'd pass this along.
I also have a basset clarinet, but it's worth an arm and a leg in sentimental value to me and I'm not sure I'd be comfortable shipping it cross country. If you're striking out and it's really worth a lot to you to play the Mozart on basset, feel free to reach out.
Max Opferkuch
2nd/Eb Clarinet, San Diego Symphony
max.opferkuch@gmail.com
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Author: JTJC
Date: 2023-07-02 13:22
I personally wouldn't consider changing my instrument for such a performance at this late stage. You've no idea what problems and challenges the new instrument might present. Getting your thumbs or pinkies around the basset notes might not be as easy as you imagine. Why risk it? You'll give a better performance on your own instruments and feel more secure. So a few low notes will be missing, but that's been the case for many great performances recorded by some famous players.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2023-07-02 23:11
Not to mention that it is (as I am told) easy to "overpower" the lower notes on basset. Of all the recordings that I've heard with basset clarinet there were only about two that sounded pleasant to my ears. But that is just my opinion.
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: maxopf
Date: 2023-07-03 02:55
Paul, my experience is that the lowest register is actually a bit hard to project, at least on my basset. I think there is a temptation to intentionally overplay in that register and make a show of the “novelty” of the basset notes instead of letting them just be a natural extension of the instrument’s range, though.
I will agree with JTJC that a last minute switch to basset might present some challenges. Basset feels a bit different than just an A clarinet with some extra keys, it responds differently, especially at the bottom of the RH clarion register and also around low E and F (since those notes are no longer bell notes). It took me some adjustment and different reeds to get the right sound and response, and it’s a bit more taxing to play because of the need to blow through that extra length of instrument. Just something to consider.
https://youtu.be/a-2wo9vZXF4
Max Opferkuch
2nd/Eb Clarinet, San Diego Symphony
Post Edited (2023-07-03 02:58)
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