Contrabass Digest
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1998-09-19

 
list                           Sat, 19 Sep 1998           Volume 1 : Number 93

In this issue:
 

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Date: Fri, 18 Sep 1998 16:14:04 -0700
From: Grant Green <gdgreen@contrabass.com>
To: list@contrabass.com
Subject: Re: (sub)contrabass trombones

At 07:55 AM 9/18/98 +0100, David Bobroff wrote:
>I do wonder what the instrument was that you saw.  But the original
>question had to do with subcontrabass trombones.  It has occurred to me
>that it would be theoretically possible to build such a beast with a
>manifold slide (triple or even quadruple).  As an earlier post noted,
>however, slide alignment would be, shall we say, problematic.  Mass would
>also be a considreration, not only in slide movement but just in holding
>the thing up.  I'd give it a shot, though.

I can see how slinging a 4X slide out to 6th or 7th position could throw
one off balance... BUT, I have an idea for a harness.  If the instrument is
relatively balanced when in first position, you just need something to keep
it on your shoulder as you throw out the slide.  Perhaps a shoulder brace,
wood or plastic, that goes over your shoulder and extends down to your
thigh for bracing (adjustable, of course).  The instrument would probably
have to lock onto the brace.  Or maybe the brace should go down one's back
and hook onto the belt (with the possible consequence that you'd get a
wedgie every time you hit 6th or 7th position).  Or maybe we should
concentrate on subcontrabass cimbassi... ;-)

Enjoy!

Grant
 

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

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Date: Sat, 19 Sep 1998 07:16:54 +0100
From: David Bobroff <bobroff@centrum.is>
To: list@contrabass.com
Subject: subcontrabass trombones

mgrogg@juno.com wrote:

>Alexander makes one, and it is far better IMHO than the Miraphone.  It is
>a larger bore, and is easier to blow in the lower register, the
>Miraphone is rather stuffy.

Are you saying that Alexander makes a BBb contrabass trombone?  The older
Mirafone had a .620" bore.  The newer ones have a .562" bore.

David Bobroff
bobroff@centrum.is

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Date: Sat, 19 Sep 1998 14:17:48 -0400
From: mgrogg@juno.com
To: list@contrabass.com
Subject: Re: subcontrabass trombones

>>Alexander makes one, and it is far better IMHO than the Miraphone.  It is
>>a larger bore, and is easier to blow in the lower register, the
>>Miraphone is rather stuffy.
>
>Are you saying that Alexander makes a BBb contrabass trombone?  The older
>Mirafone had a .620" bore.  The newer ones have a .562" bore.
>
>David Bobroff
>bobroff@centrum.is
 

At least as a custom order yes.  We had one at a TUBA conference some
time back.  It had more like a .750 bore.  It was like a BBb tuba up on
your shoulder, but sure had a nice open low range.  The brief time I got
to play it I used a Conn Helleberg mp and it was like home.  The Mirafone
had a smaller mp shank, more like a bass bone, and was much stuffier.
The Alex had a double wrap slide and two rotors.  My recollection at the
time is that it played nice, but was very heavy.  I wish I  could
remember who the owner/player was, I would have to look back through alot
of years of old programs to see if I have that one.

MG

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End of list V1 #93
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