 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: BassetHorn
Date: 2005-06-02 19:12
Hello all,
Has anyone seen or played a clarinet in F? a.k.a basset horn without the basset notes.
Who made this besides Buffet? I had an opportunity to buy one last year but passed.
Can one be specially ordered?
Thanks.
Willy
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: larryb
Date: 2005-06-02 20:28
I played a buffet alto clarinet in F - I think that's what you're referring to. It wasn't a very good instrument. It was being offered by Wichita Band Instruments - not sure if they still have it.
Not sure they make them anymore - doesn't make sense to have a limited range basset horn. And if you think you can play the Mozart Requiem with it, maybe so in terms of the notes, but the tone will be that of an alto. The extension to low C of the basset horn, in my opinion, adds depth and resonance to the tone thoughout.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-06-02 21:35
I believe that LarryB's comments apply quite well. Beyond French and English Horns in F, very few insts are in that key, alto Eb having been the maker's choice and market over the years. With minimal experience on a "modern" Basset Horn, I believe that the narrow/long bore played with a Bb cl mp is the source of the "unique" [hollow-sounding] tonality, distinguishing it from our Eb alto and Bb bass cls. I do like to hear them in Moz's compositions, and hope that others may respond here with better info than I. Hear, hear, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2005-06-02 22:19
Many, many years ago (1959, I think), in a storage room at Interlochen in the upper reaches of Kresge, there was a battered metal clarinet in F. As I recall, Lowell Burroughs, the repairman told me about it. I saw it, but it was in unplayable condition. I have no idea of the maker. It had a straight body with Boehm keywork and went only to written low E.
Do any other Interlochen vets know about it?
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Douglas
Date: 2005-06-03 15:09
The basset horns without the extended range to low C were likely made to be used in the Mozart Requiem which doesn't call for the low notes as does Richard Strauss in Elektra, etc. Years ago I had a silver, double walled Haynes basset clarinet, or alto clarinet in F which I found no real use for and foolishly sold to Traugott Rohner, then the publisher of the Instrumentalist Magazine. Just to let you know other makers produced this instrument without the extended range.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BassetHorn
Date: 2005-06-03 18:16
A professor at our university owns one made by Buffet. Straight forward construction, Boehm system to low E. The wood is dark brown which is either unstained granadilla or rosewood.
A bit of stretch for the wrists, which could be improved by a curved barrel.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
