Contrabass Digest
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1998-08-12

 
list                           Wed, 12 Aug 1998           Volume 1 : Number 59

In this issue:
 

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Date: Tue, 11 Aug 1998 18:02:10 -0700
From: Grant Green <gdgreen@contrabass.com>
To: list@contrabass.com
Subject: Great bass shawms...

Well, I finally managed to make it over to Keith Loraine's place in
Petaluma.  I brought my sarrusophone over for (a) a look at the bocal,
which has a ragged tip, and (b) to have a few reeds made.  It turns out
that KL is also a contra-afficionado.  He also has an Eb contrabass
sarrusophone, and an Eb baritone sarrusophone.  Between the two of us, we
have sarrusophones to cover sax quartet literature - an octave down (Bb
tenor, Eb bari, Bb bass, Eb contra, instead of SATB).

While I was there, I had a chance to try out his great bass shawm.  This
was his prototype instrument - about 12 feet of mahogany, that breaks down
into four pieces (and fits into a trunk-like case on casters).  It was
surprisingly playable: the left hand span is comfortable (holes drilled at
an angle), and the right hand is assisted by keys.  There's a key for RH1,
and keys for RH4 (low C and B), with two RT keys (low A and G) - the range
is to G below the staff.  No accidentals below D (use your lip instead).
When playing (standing, almost of necessity), the bell stick out *far* to
the right, with the bell on the floor and the rest of the weight supported
in one's left hand (or by a neck strap).  Not an instrument to position at
the left end of a band ;-)

If I remember, I'll try and bring a camera and a DAT deck when I go to pick
up my sarrusophone, and possibly capture the GB shawm while I'm there.

Grant
 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Grant D. Green                  gdgreen@contrabass.com
www.contrabass.com     Just filling in on sarrusophone
Contrabass email list:             list@contrabass.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 11 Aug 1998 18:05:06 -0700
From: Grant Green <gdgreen@contrabass.com>
To: list@contrabass.com
Subject: Re: Great bass shawms...

At 06:02 PM 8/11/98 -0700, you wrote:
>While I was there, I had a chance to try out his great bass shawm.  This
>was his prototype instrument - about 12 feet of mahogany, that breaks down

Ahem, ..., make that about 9'...

Grant
 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Grant D. Green                  gdgreen@contrabass.com
www.contrabass.com     Just filling in on sarrusophone
Contrabass email list:             list@contrabass.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1998 13:51:45 EDT
From: <SnSATBBsCb@aol.com>
To: list@contrabass.com
Subject: Re: list V1 #58

In a message dated 8/11/98 7:51:55 PM EST, list@contrabass.com writes:

<< That's remarkable, considering that the Worldcon attracts mainly science
 fiction folks and that horror is now suffering through one of its periodic
 Dark Ages.  I've also been corresponding with a bass sax player on this list
 who's a horror fan.  (I'll leave it to him whether he wants to identify
 himself.)  When I told a bari sax e-pal from CSOL that I planned to attend the
 Worldcon, he wrote back that he's a fan of "The X-Files."  So I wonder if
 fondness for low pitch goes along with subterranean interests in the other
 arts.  Have we got that in common along with stereo photography?  Any other
 horror fans out there? >>

I've been interested in horror and Sci-fi for a while now, and have always
liked lower pitched instruments.  I just got done reading the Stand for my
second time.
 

Nick

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1998 12:41:56 -0700
From: Grant Green <gdgreen@contrabass.com>
To: list@contrabass.com
Subject: Another contrabass saxophone

Contra Sighting:

The June 1998 Newsletter of the American Musical Instrument Society (AMIS),
27:2, includes a picture of Kermit Welch (and friends) performing at the
annual AMIS banquet (May 1998).  Most of the instruments visible in the
picture are saxophones and clarinets, but in the back corner of the room is
a contrabass sax.  Does anyone know Mr. Welch?

Grant
 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Grant D. Green                  gdgreen@contrabass.com
www.contrabass.com     Just filling in on sarrusophone
Contrabass email list:             list@contrabass.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

------------------------------

End of list V1 #59
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