Contrabass Digest

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2000-11-29

 
Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2000 16:59:39 -0800
From: Dave Richoux
Subject: Re: [CB] Harryphone?

Harry Partch - there are many beautiful recordings available on CD and LP (a quick
search on Amazon turned up several...) I did a 2 hour special radio show on him many
years ago on KFJC, featuring many very large wooden instruments that created
fantastic low tones!

there is also a very nice collection of other home made instruments from other
musician/inventors on CD with accompanying book - something like "Hersaphone &
Whirligig" (but that is not it) that came out a few years ago - maybe on Rhino
Records?

Dave Richoux
 

Opusnandy wrote:

> My guess (and it is only that) would be that the "Harryphone" might be an
> invention of Harry Partch (Parch?), formerly of the University of Illinois,
> who was famous (infamous?) for inventing many homemade instruments.  These
> were often quarter tone instruments and were mostly percussion instruments.
> Unfortunately I don't have much more information on him than that, but
> perhaps others on the list are aware of Harry's instruments.
>
> Jonathan Carreira
---------------------------------------------------------

Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2000 17:24:47 -0700
From: Grant Green
Subject: Re: [CB] Harryphone?
 

>Harry Partch - there are many beautiful recordings available on CD
>and LP (a quick
>search on Amazon turned up several...) I did a 2 hour special radio
>show on him many
>years ago on KFJC, featuring many very large wooden instruments that created
>fantastic low tones!
>
>there is also a very nice collection of other home made instruments from other
>musician/inventors on CD with accompanying book - something like "Hersaphone &
>Whirligig" (but that is not it) that came out a few years ago - maybe on Rhino
>Records?
>
>Dave Richoux

Close, but no cigar ;-)  The one description I can find on the web is from an interview with the composer (see http://home.flash.net/~jronsen/mmpp/mmpp7id3.html), in which he says:
 

"In fact it is made of steel.... The name comes from Harry Halbreich,
to whom I dedicated this instrument I made. It could be played as an
acoustic percussion instrument, or also employed with microphones.
The material is essential for its sound. I can't explain more.... is
a matter of experience"


The book/CD is called "Gravikords, Whirlies & Pyrophones" by Bart Hopkin (1996 Ellipsis Arts...).  Unfortunately, neither "Gravikords" nor the sequel "Orbitones, Spoon Harps & Bellowphones (Bart Hopkin, 1998 Ellipsis Arts...) mentions the harryphone (although they do describe quite a few fascinating instruments, including a contrabass ney).

Enjoy!

Grant

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Grant Green
ecode:contrabass       http://www.contrabass.com
Professional Fool -> http://www.mp3.com/ProFools
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
---------------------------------------------------------

From: Opusnandy
Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2000 21:51:11 EST
Subject: Re: [CB] A Contra-alto question
 

In a message dated 11/28/00 8:07:32 PM, britt_brat72 writes:

<< Excuse me but my daughter must have subscribed and I don't like the way
you treat us parents who are trying to be a help and unsubscribe for my
daughter so she doesn't have to be treated like crap like you have treated
me. >>

I'm sorry, but we all thought the one who was "treated like crap" was the one
who called the person, who politely suggest she unsubscribe to the list if
she didn't like getting all that mail, a BASTARD.  So, pretty please, with
sugar on top, teach your daughter some manners (and how to spell).

With much thanks,
Jonathan Carreira
(a real 30 year old)

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

Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 00:46:14 -0800
From: bitwise
Subject: Re: [CB] A Contra-alto question

Fred: The bridge linkages were an early prime suspect, but every key closes as it should.

John: I'm almost sure the pads are tight, but a re-check won't hurt. I did note some end play in some upper section keys, but working them doesn't seem to change anything.

Grant: The Bb key and the register key on the neck do not seem to be strongly sprung. I thought perhaps one or the other was
being blown slightly open, but having an assistant hold them closed doesn't seem to cure the problems further down. I haven't tried holding both closed, however - I'll look into that.  I would love to find a leak near the center, as that is what it most
acts like - but nothing has turned up. Is there a way to check the center joint? It feels tight, but that doesn't mean the seal is good.  I didn't say I was having trouble sounding notes between G and C, just that slapping the keys was showing a periodic lack of resonance on C. When the 'troubles' strike, throat E goes sharp.  That's about the extent of the situation in that area of the horn.  The register key tube theory is interesting. Is it possible for there to be a leak around the outside of either tube? How would it be found?

Earlier today, I thought about playing without the bell as a way to test the tenon theory. I'll post the results.

Terje: Good input on reeds and mouthpieces. True, the 1440 is not a professional-grade horn, but it should handle the present
task, which is to cover the string bass part in Messiah.

One news item: I rented a bass clarinet for the upcoming performance - the bass I own is being restored, and won't be ready in time. The rental bass: Bundy 1430. Mouthpiece (you knew this was coming): Bundy #3.  The bass clarinet is giving me almost identical problems as the contra-alto. Only through the most careful adjustments of emboucher and head position relative to the mouthpiece can the attached horn be made to sound Any notes, let alone the low E / Eb. As one might guess, at this point I'm less than thrilled with the Bundy #3. I'm thinking it would make an excellent vacuum cleaner. A new bass clarinet mouthpiece (I need one anyway for my own horn) is high on the priority list.

I appreciate all the help - I hope I'm not monopolizing the list.

Craig

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

Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 01:25:39 -0800
From: bitwise
Subject: Re: [CB] A Contra-alto question

Just played the 1440 without the bell. Guess what? When I press
the right pinky Eb (while holding the left pinky E), the left pinky E
deflects downward an additional amount, which is enough to
slightly open the C# key! The 'leak' near the center. This also
explains the speaking problems on E, as I most often use the left
pinky for that note - in conjunction with the right pinky. Redundant?
Sure, but it's a habit from my school days, when my fingers weren't
necessarily strong enough to operate the low keys singly (and / or
to insure closure on a horn that wasn't necessarily all it could be in
the regulation department.)

So... I'm still not turning handsprings over the mouthpiece, and
I think a stronger reed is in order. I'm also not sure what's up
with the intermittent sharp throat E - looks like I was fighting
two (or three) problems and didn't know it. Now to see if the
automatic C# opener can be eliminated. I hope that's not a
'congenital' fault of this particular action, although I did notice
a very similar problem on the 1430 bass. On that horn, the left
pinky cluster is so close to the C# that I have to be careful not
to hit it when fingering E and Eb.

Craig

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

Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 08:53:14 -0500
From: "John Webster"
Subject: Re: [CB] A Contra-alto question

No I do not  understand!  Your daughter is rude and should, by now, should know better. If she doesn't learn soon she going tohave a difficult time with the rest of her life.  Your covering for  her will only make it more difficult for her in the long run.  I hope this is the last of this subject.   John

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

Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 09:12:10 -0500
From: "John Webster"
Subject: Re: [CB] A Contra-alto question

Sorry we havn't been able to help. Its seems to be easier to give advice over the net, with out seeing the horn, than fixing one in hand.  One of the soprano clarinets had a similier problem with his (just overhauled) last night I think the problem was the A key was lightly sprung and blowing open a bit., we seemed to correct it but taking up all the play in the Ab adjustment screw so the both springs were holding down the A pad.  Not sure if this is the final solution and he is taking it back to the repair shop.
Rodger Garret (Egroupes bass-clarinet list)  makes a very nice and reasonably priced Bass Clarinet mouthpiece.  Its available through the WWBW catalog or (maby) directly from Rodger.   John

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

Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 11:26:41 EST
From: TIFFCONTRA
Subject: Re: [CB] Contrabass clarinet mouthpieces [was A Contra-alto question]

I've tried Contra- Alto mp with a Bari Sax reed.  It works for some people.
It depends on the mp, reed used, and stuff like that.  For a contra mp with
Vandoren Bari sax reeds you may need to trim the sides of the reed some.  A
good reed for the  contra is Marca's Contra-alto/bass reeds ( 10 per box ).
It sounds better than a Vandoren on the Bundy and Selmar mps.

Tiff
---------------------------------------------------------

Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 09:44:38 -0800 (PST)
From: JJ McLallen
Subject: Re: [CB] [Contra Digest]

For Craig --

I don't beleive that a leak in the bell tenon could cause that,
mainly since you are having problems higher in the instrument.
If it is causing the problem, then you haver something else
wrong, too. The rule of thumb in the repair business is that if
there is any wobble in a tenon, then we change the cork. The
biggest problem with that tenon is that it holds the weight of
the entire horn, so it tends to weaken easily. The other thing
is that to replace that tenon cork will only cost you $10-15. I
say go ahead and do it. It's cheap and won't hurt anything, and
it may help. I still think you have a problem higher up in the
horn, mainly in the G#, A, register, and trill key area.

JJ - repair guy

__________________________________________________

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

From: "Dr. Daniel W. Kunz"
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 12:48:24 -0500
Subject: Re: [CB] [Contra Digest]

To All Contra Bass People:

as a recent subscriber to this newsletter email service and a newly
born-again contra bass nut case (still looking for one but playing a
borrowed contra alto) i want to thank all of you for a very informative
discussion about leaks, adjustments, mouthpieces, reeds, etc.  this is a
great education for me and the information is appreciated.  I also enjoyed
the information about the bells.  I really want to "hear" a bell I can't
hear.  Must be an incredible feeling.  A special thanks to Grant for his
personal guidance and his efforts to maintain this site for all of us.
Thanks.

Dan Kunz

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

Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 10:57:22 -0700
From: Grant Green
Subject: [CB] List Administration
 

>Excuse me but my daughter must have subscribed and I don't like the
>way you treat us parents who are trying to be a help and unsubscribe
>for my daughter so she doesn't have to be treated like crap like you
>have treated me. I know my daughter has wrote you some letters but
>it was not me. I've already talked to her so don't worry about
>getting those letters. I hope you understand!

What happened here?

I don't have any record of the messages that apparently were
exchanged over last weekend (I suspect due to lack of space on the
mail server), but it appears that someone had trouble dealing with
common courtesy on the list.  FWIW, I emailed everyone apparently
involved yesterday, asking if anyone was trying to unsubscribe:
nobody responded.  Nevertheless, it appears that the author of the
message quoted above *does* want to be unsubscribed, and they now are.

If you're on the digest version, you didn't see the messages either:
messages are stored on the mail server prior to being "digested", and
they apparently don't get into the digest if there's no room to store
them.  I would appreciate it if someone would send me copies of the
messages sent Saturday and Sunday that led up to this.

For future reference: you may unsubscribe easily yourself, by sending
a message to the list with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

Grant

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Grant Green
ecode:contrabass       http://www.contrabass.com
Professional Fool -> http://www.mp3.com/ProFools
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
---------------------------------------------------------

From: "Merlin Williams"
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 15:50:21 -0500
Subject: Re: [CB] A Contra-alto question

My suggestion for a bass clarinet m/p would be a Vandoren B40 w/either a #3
Vandoren, or a #3 1/4 or #3 1/2 Legere.

Visit Merlin's Mouthpiece
A member of the Duke Ellington Ring, the Sax Ring, and
the Single Reed Webring.

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

Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 18:11:01 -0800
From: Andrew Stiller
Subject: Re: [CB] Harryphone?

At 4:59 PM -0800 11/28/00, Dave Richoux wrote:
>Harry Partch - there are many beautiful recordings available on CD and LP (a quick
>search on Amazon turned up several...) I did a 2 hour special radio show on him many
>years ago on KFJC, featuring many very large wooden instruments that created
>fantastic low tones!

Of most interest to this list is his Marimba Eroica, which consists
of four huge Sitka spruce beams over box resonators, the lowest being
pitched at the G below the lowest note of the piano. The player
stands between the two pairs of beams and whomps 'em with padded
gloves.

Of the numerous Partch recordings, the only one where you can
actually hear the pitches from this thing (as opposed to a dull thud)
is the CD of the Philadelphia production of _Revelation in the
Courthouse Park_ that came out a few years back. A wonderful piece,
by the way--for my money the greatest American opera so far.

--
Andrew Stiller
Kallisti Music Press

http://www.netcom.com/~kallisti

Ut Sol inter planetas, Ita MUSICA inter Artes liberales in medio radiat.
--Heinrich Schuetz, 1640
***End of Contrabass***


 
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