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Date: Fri, 21 Jan 2000 17:05:51 -0800 (PST)
From: wayne grimm <wawagrin@yahoo.com>
Subject: Swedish Ice Orchestra
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.comHello all--
New to the list and hopin' someone out there might
have some info for me--While watching the PBS coverage of events around the
world on New Year's Eve I saw maybe a minute's worth
of a performance from up above the arctic circle in
Sweden (Lappland). There were a dozen or so
percussionists, all playing instruments made entirely
out of ice--the sound was incredible--and driving the
whole thing was a guy playing what looked to be a
contrabass clarinet (the bent metal "paperclip"
variety--maybe a subcontra?!?--that sucker was huge)I was wondering if anyone else saw this, could maybe
clarify for me what that instrument was--who the
player was, maybe even--and if there's a recording or
video of the performance in full somewhere.It's a long shot, but I figure if anyone else on this
list saw that clip on PBS, they would have sat up and
taken notice, too.Thanks for yr comments--
--wayne.
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---------------------------------------------------------Date: Fri, 21 Jan 2000 21:13:17 -0800
From: "Timothy J. Tikker" <timjt@awod.com>
Subject: Re: Sarrusophone price
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.comBret Newton wrote:
> You guys are never going to believe what I found. On the site that I
> pointed out the other day- http://perso.clubinternet.fr/cjsax/ -I went to
> the auctions page and found a sarrusophone. The only thing is that it is
> not a contrabass but a TENOR!! The price was 18,000Fr. If my memory serves
> me correcet that corresponds (if the exchange rate is still the same) to
> between 3-5 thousand dollars. I know nothing about the horn but thought you
> all would appreciate the info.According to the online Universal Currency Converter at
http://www.xe.net/ucc/convert.cgi, FF 18,000 = US$ 2,768.66.- Timothy Tikker
---------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2000 10:52:41 +0900
From: woodwinds@pacific.net.sg (Joel Koh)
Subject: [Contra digest]
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.comWell, I don't name my contra-alto until my friend called it a big goose.
I replied, it is my black swan!It seems that contras are common in the States. Here in Singapore, we have
a few bands with the contra-bass clarinet. They are hardly played.
I believe I am the only one in this small island country to own a working
contra alto.I used to play the flute in a community band for 3 annual concerts. One
fine day, I came to band practice with a contra alto clarinet. Only a few
know what it was. The band director number#1 just puts on a big smile.The downside on playing the contra alto is that not many band music
features this instrument. Actually, not many music has a part for it. I
went around that by playing contrabassoon, 2nd bassoon, string bass, bari
sax parts etc.......Nevertheless, it adds such rich lower harmonics to the
band sound. Due to work loads, I took leave from band director number#1
after one concert.I slot in my schedule and played in a concert last Tuesday as an alumni
member of my tertiary institude. I play on the cor anglai and oboe as these
are the 'more important' parts but I am glad my friend played solos on my
contra alto for 'Impression of Japan'. Both audience and players were
amazed by the sound. Everyone held their breath as the contra-alto decends
the scale. Unfortunately, this band director number#2 only use the
contra-alto because it is required by the music score.I met band director number#1 after the perfomance. He still expressed his
liking for contra-alto clarinet and does wish he has one in his band. I
plan to organise my time to play under his baton again. It did felt great
to have a band director who appreciate a contra.Oh yes! There is band director #3 who says there is no need for a
contra-alto and who needs a contra-alto? I feel like giving her a tight slap!Joel Koh
( Woodwinds including contra-alto clarinet )>I'm new to this list. I have a Leblanc E-flat contra-alto clarinet (name
>of grandpa), which is why I decided to join. I also have a Bundy B-flat
>soprano clarinet (name of junior), a Malerne Oboe (still nameless), and
>I'll be getting either an E-flat alto or soprano clarinet (my friend isn't
>sure which one it is).
>
>A question I've had for sometime: Why do band directors, basically anyone
>who know musical instruments, get buggy eyed when they learn I own the
>contra-alto? I agree that it is a beautiful silver horn and has a
>wonderful tone (although I am partial to the oboe right now since I've
>wanted one for years) but why do they drool when they learn I own grandpa?
>
>
>I have other questions but this one has been utmost on my mind.
>
>=====
>LynnEtte Mueller
>
>music allow the heart to sing
>and the soul to fly
---------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 21 Jan 2000 22:56:51 -0400
From: "Robert S. Howe" <arehow@vgernet.net>
Subject: Re: Conn bass clarinets
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.comMichael Kilpatrick wrote:
...
> are old Conn bass clarinets as good as old Conn saxophones?
In my experience, they are shit.> That's it, just one simple question!
And one simple answer.> Michael
Robert Howe
---------------------------------------------------------Date: Fri, 21 Jan 2000 23:03:21 -0400
From: "Robert S. Howe" <arehow@vgernet.net>
Subject: Re: bass saxophone
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.comlawrence johns wrote:
> very good my point exactly-if i had my way i would have in my collection
> the rarer saxes in the world-let me see starting with the saxello,the
> sopranino sax,
Both are available and not uncommon, available for less than $3000. I
paid $800 for one of my sopranini>the one handed tenor sax,
VERY rare! Paul COhen has (the only?) one!>the c melody sax,
vulgarly common>the f baritone sax,
never proven to have existed>the bass sax
common>and the contrabass sax.
One sold in Manhattan last month, new, for $35,000. Not to me, sadly.>oh yes one of those
> acrylic alto saxes,too.
I just sold my second one, if you want one I can get you one. They were
made in England and are common in British auctions.How about really rare Saxophones, those made by Adolphe Sax himself in
Paris before 1870? Would you have any of those in your collection?Robert Howe
---------------------------------------------------------From: CoolStu67@aol.com
Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2000 00:37:55 EST
Subject: Re: Induction of bug-eye syndrome...
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.comI think my band director loves brass instruments to much. The first year,
when I played the school's Eb contra he said, "that's nice", and the second
year, when I walked in with my personal Bb contra with low C he said "that's
nice". And not another mention of my existance, even if I blast a low C when
everybody is quiet!Stuart
<<
When you walk into band the first day, and start assembling a
contra clarinet, you make the director's *week*, and he/she thinks to
him/herself "Ahhh, maybe this will be a good year *after all.*"
>>
---------------------------------------------------------From: ArcLucifer@aol.com
Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2000 14:44:15 EST
Subject: Re: Contrabass recorder
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.comThere is also a Sub-Contra-Bass recorder. But it's bassed on a cranked organ
pipe so it looks a bit different.-Jacob
---------------------------------------------------------From: "James A. Moore" <jamoore@mindspring.com>
Subject: old guy plays contrabass clarinet
Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2000 15:26:28 -0500
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.comI have been a member of this list for about a year I guess and I have really enjoyed the postings. Last year I retired after 30 years of teaching chemistry and physics. About 5 or 6 years ago I started to teach myself to play the clarinet. About 2 years ago I acquired an old bundy bass clarinet and have been playing that in our community band. This fall I purchased a restored Vito BBb contrabass clarinet from Charles Fail (just North of where I live). It is in brand new condition and I have really, really enjoyed playing (or attempting to) this monster of the deep. I still have some trouble getting C,D, and E in the staff (2nd register) to sound instantly all the time - they seem to have a mind of their own and sound instantly sometimes and sometimes not. Other than that I can get it to play up to E above the staff, but E and D are not as loud as high C.
I took the contrabass to the community band a couple of times but since I am the only one who played the bass clarinet, without the bass, the contrabass didn't seem to sound as good. So I have been writing some things (very amateur) for all 3 clarinets and recording them ala clarinet choir.
I was wondering how many persons have played or own a Vito BBb contrabass? I wonder how many have been made. They (and contrabasses in general) seem kinda of rare. Also, does or has anyone had the same trouble I seem to be having with the upper staff notes sounding easily all the time?
I ran across something called the "Contrabass Portal" on http://www.mp3.com and it said that there might be downloads possible in the future. It had a link to contrabass.com. Does anyone know anything about this? I think it would be great to post and download some contrabass soundfiles. I have come across some interesting recordings at the same website.
One more thing and I will shut up. I ran across a recording (Ken Peplowski, Grenadilla) that had a cut on it involving a clarinet choir that included a contrabass clarinet that was well recorded( the name of the cut was "variations"). Maybe it should be added to the discography. There is a soundclip at http://www.cdnow.com.
Well, sorry for the long post. Take care.
Jim
---------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2000 13:41:29 -0800
From: Grant Green <gdgreen@contrabass.com>
Subject: Re: old guy plays contrabass clarinet
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.comAt 03:26 PM 1/22/00 -0500, you wrote:
>I have been a member of this list for about a year I guess and I have
>really enjoyed the postings. Last year I retired after 30 years of
>teaching chemistry and physics. About 5 or 6 years ago I started to teach
>myself to play the clarinet. About 2 years ago I acquired an old bundy
>bass clarinet and have been playing that in our community band. This fall
>I purchased a restored Vito BBb contrabass clarinet from Charles Fail
>(just North of where I live). It is in brand new condition and I have
>really, really enjoyed playing (or attempting to) this monster of the
>deep. I still have some trouble getting C,D, and E in the staff (2nd
>register) to sound instantly all the time - they seem to have a mind of
>their own and sound instantly sometimes and sometimes not. Other than that
>I can get it to play up to E above the staff, but E and D are not as loud
>as high C.It is common to have trouble with those notes. The cause may be a leak in
one of the LH pads, or possibly a problem with the second octave vent.>I ran across something called the "Contrabass Portal" on
><http://www.mp3.com>http://www.mp3.com and it said that there might be
>downloads possible in the future. It had a link to contrabass.com. Does
>anyone know anything about this? I think it would be great to post and
>download some contrabass soundfiles. I have come across some interesting
>recordings at the same website.Yes, the "Portal" is mine. I'm in the process of uploading a few mp3 files
- as soon as I hear back from my collaborator.>One more thing and I will shut up. I ran across a recording (Ken
>Peplowski, Grenadilla) that had a cut on it involving a clarinet choir
>that included a contrabass clarinet that was well recorded( the name of
>the cut was "variations"). Maybe it should be added to the
>discography. There is a soundclip at
><http://www.cdnow.com>http://www.cdnow.com.
>
>Well, sorry for the long post. Take care.
Not a problem!
Grant
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