Contrabass Digest

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1999-12-28

 
 
From: "Bret Newton" <jbnbsn99@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 27 Dec 1999 21:20:50 CST

I think that I have found another piece that includes that sarrusophone.  I
recently got a score of Daphnis and Chloe, and although the part says
contrabassoon, at one point when the 3rd bassoon and the contra join into 1
line there is the notation that clearly states 3 on top and Sarrus. on
bottom.  Everywhere else the part says C. Bon. but this one instance leeds
me to believe that ravel really wanted a Sarrusophone.  Any comments.
Bret Newton


From: "Merlin Williams" <merlinw@netcom.ca>
Subject: Re: Fifth String Bass
Date: Mon, 27 Dec 1999 22:58:50 -0500

According to Gene Lees' piece on Red Mitchell in "Cats Of Any Colour", the
Thomastik company started making strings specifically for basses tuned in
fifths in the early seventies after Red suggested it to the head of the
company.
 

Merlin Williams
http://www.netcom.ca/~merlinw
A member of the SaxRing,
the Duke Ellington Ring,
and the Single Reed Ring.

-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Thomas <thomas@usit.net>
To: contrabass@contrabass.com <contrabass@contrabass.com>
Date: December 27, 1999 1:03 PM
Subject: Re: Fifth String Bass
 

>I wrote:
>>BT> Also, there's the issue of string gauges.  All the bass fiddle strings
>>that I know of are designed for the standard E-A-D-G tuning... ...I've
>>never seen a set designed to be tuned in 5ths.  Don't know what those guys
do.
>
>and J. Daniel Ashton wrote:
>>I replaced the shipped strings with a brand new set of Pirastros. The E
>>string tuned down to C was too loose to really satisfy, although I made it
>>work. Would I be able to swap it for a string intended as low B/C?
>
>
>     I don't think strings are returnable after they've been
>installed.  I've been thinking about strings for cello type
>tuning tho.  Some strings, including Pirastro Flexocors and
>FlatChroms are available individually in versions including
>"low 5th string" and "solo tuning."  (Sets designated for solo
>tuning are intended to be tuned one step higher than standard -
>the bass becomes a transposing instrument; bass player reads
>as normal but sounds a step higher; accompaniment is transposed
>to the new key...     Don't know whose idea THAT was, but it
>happened.)
>
>So...   to put together a set of C-G-D-A bass strings you would
>need a low 5th string to replace the low E, a standard A string
>tuned a step low, a standard D string (no problem), and a "solo"
>G string tuned to A as intended.  The only string that wouldn't
>be tuned to its intended pitch would be the A string - now a
>full step too low.  That one could possibly be tweaked by finding
>strings that come in heavy/medium/light gauges.  Some Thomastiks
>do, I think.
>Lemur catalog has lots of helpful info on different makes & models
>of strings and all the options available.
>                                                 b.


Date: Tue, 28 Dec 1999 00:23:44 -0800 (PST)
From: JJ McLallen <jam_ump10r@yahoo.com>
Subject: VW rabbits

>For what it is worth, more than once I carried my
>string bass, and two
>tubas in my VW Rabbit.

 I used to haul a straight contra-bass clarinet in my
rabbit. Had to put it in the passenger seat with the
back of the seat all the way to the back seat. I think
I even put the seat-belt on it a time or two just for
kicks.

JJ McLallen



From: John Fierke <jfierke@media100.com>
Subject: For what it is worth, more than once I carried my string bass, an
Date: Tue, 28 Dec 1999 09:35:45 -0500
 

>> For what it is worth, more than once I carried my string bass,
>> and two tubas in my VW Rabbit.  It is a bit easier with a hatchback,
>> but I imagine you will figure out a way with your car, or consider
exchanging it for a more practical vehicle.
>> MG
>>
 

When your instrument requirements become the major issue when acquiring a
vehicle - THAT's when you know that you're really hooked !!  (What do you
need to haul around a contrabass sax, anyway ?)


From: "Merlin Williams" <merlinw@netcom.ca>
Subject: Re: VWs
Date: Tue, 28 Dec 1999 11:23:26 -0500
 

I once got a Vito straight BBb contra, Noblet alto clarinet, my bag of small
horns (clarinet, oboe, eng. horn), a Yamaha 5 valve Eb tuba, and a rather
well endowed tuba player into a VW Beetle.

Merlin Williams
http://www.netcom.ca/~merlinw
A member of the SaxRing,
the Duke Ellington Ring,

and the Single Reed Ring.
-----Original Message-----
From: JJ McLallen <jam_ump10r@yahoo.com>
To: contrabass@contrabass.com <contrabass@contrabass.com>
Date: December 28, 1999 3:26 AM
Subject: VW rabbits
 

>CONTRABASS@contrabass.com
>=========================
>*
>
>>For what it is worth, more than once I carried my
>>string bass, and two
>>tubas in my VW Rabbit.
>
> I used to haul a straight contra-bass clarinet in my
>rabbit. Had to put it in the passenger seat with the
>back of the seat all the way to the back seat. I think
>I even put the seat-belt on it a time or two just for
>kicks.
>
>JJ McLallen


Date: Mon, 27 Dec 1999 22:15:31 -0500
Subject: Re: For what it is worth, more than once I carried my string
From: michael c grogg <mgrogg@juno.com>
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.com

>>> For what it is worth, more than once I carried my string bass,
>>> and two tubas in my VW Rabbit.  It is a bit easier with a hatchback,
>>> but I imagine you will figure out a way with your car, or consider
>exchanging it for a more practical vehicle.
>>> MG

>When your instrument requirements become the major issue when
>acquiring a vehicle - THAT's when you know that you're really hooked !!
(What do
>you need to haul around a contrabass sax, anyway ?)

I should think a pickup up an 8 foot bed and a hydraulic lift gate would
do, or perhaps a maxivan with a lift, either in the back, or perhaps one
on the side door like the wheel chair transport vans are equipped.  If
you that into it, you would probably have a lot of other big and long
instruments to haul around as well.  I suppose another option would be a
utility trailer with dedicated racks and tie down points inside for all
the cases, and a ramp in back, and for the CB sax, a winch to get the
thing pulled back into the trailer when the gig is over.

MG



Date: Mon, 27 Dec 1999 22:07:18 -0500
Subject: Re: VW rabbits
From: michael c grogg <mgrogg@juno.com>
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.com

>>For what it is worth, more than once I carried my
>>string bass, and two
>>tubas in my VW Rabbit.
>
> I used to haul a straight contra-bass clarinet in my
>rabbit. Had to put it in the passenger seat with the
>back of the seat all the way to the back seat. I think
>I even put the seat-belt on it a time or two just for
>kicks.

That's the drill.  Back seat and the hatch storage cover folded forward,
passenger seat reclines all the way.  You can also carry full 8 foot
lumber in the bunny that way, great little car.  If you are going to be a
true contrabass fanatic, you need to have a suitable vehicle to haul your
treasures in.  Now that pickups and SUV's are stylish, it shouldn't be as
big a hurdle as  it was 30 years ago when people would say, "Oh, you
drive a pickup truck?"

MG


Date: Tue, 28 Dec 1999 11:50:10 -0700
From: Grant Green <gdgreen@contrabass.com>
Subject: Re: VW rabbits
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.com

> >For what it is worth, more than once I carried my
> >string bass, and two
> >tubas in my VW Rabbit.
>
> I used to haul a straight contra-bass clarinet in my
>rabbit. Had to put it in the passenger seat with the
>back of the seat all the way to the back seat. I think
>I even put the seat-belt on it a time or two just for
>kicks.

When I played contra in the KC youth symphony, I used to ride to
rehearsals with one of the string bass players.  String bass, stool,
contrabassoon, bassoon, stands, and the two of us in a VW bug.
Fortunately, it was a convertible, and we were able to put the top
down...

Grant

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Grant Green            gdgreen@contrabass.com
                    http://www.contrabass.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 



 

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