Contrabass Digest

2001-03-27

Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2001 17:42:31 -0800
From: Grant Green
Subject: Re: [CB] To Craig (re: "new" contra-alto clarinet owner)
 

>not --- it's rather stuffy and uncharacteristic-sounding, probably because of a
>bore diameter mismatch between the inside of the pipe (about 1.05") and my bass
>clarinet lower joint (about .930").  Using actual bass clarinet parts should
>improve the tone quality somewhat.  I'm very eager to built a more finalized
>version, possibly going all the way down to low-C as originally intended, out of
>a real bass clarinet lower joint and using bass clarinet key parts.

The solution, obviously, is to paint it black ;-)

Seriously, though, can't you line the extension with a sheet of
0.12" thick plastic to match the bores?  Come to think of it, doesn't
the bore normally expand somewhat in the lower quarter to third of
the horn?  My  guess is that the problem isn't between the lower bore
and the extension, but is actually between the extension and the
bell: the sudden *reduction* in bore just before you hit the last
bend could cause early reflections and destabilize the timbre.  (I
assume you're not playing without the bell - if you're omitting the
bell, then maybe *that's* the problem.)

>----My next project will be an add-on altissimo vent for the contra -- I hate
>not being able to play above high C --- on my bass clarinet I can easily play
>chromatically an entire octave above that, and I want that capability on the
>contra.  My plan is to install a separate small register hole next to the
>tonehole opened by the l.h. index finger, operated by something like a Bb
>soprano clarinet register key which is tabbed to also push down on the normal
>l.h. index finger key when pushed, but can shut independently.  A very simple
>concept, but the devil is in the details!  I'll keep the list posted on how this
>turns out.

Much simpler than what I was thinking of (basically replicating the
arrangement on the bass clarinet, with stacked pads)!  Even without
the tab, a key in the "bis" position just below LH1, so that one
could grab both keys at once with LH1, would be a substantial
improvement.

Best of luck!

Grant

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

Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2001 17:52:32 -0800
From: Grant Green
Subject: Re: [CB] Contra-altissimo
 

>You say you overblow throat G to get altissimo D, and throat F#
>to get alt D#. I play alt D using the register key alone; D# using
>register key and Ab. Of course, this is a straight plastic contra,
>others may differ.
>
>Craig

Actually, I said *C#* using the throat F# fingering [+register key]...

Grant

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

Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2001 23:39:14 -0800
From: bitwise
Subject: Re: [CB] Contra-altissimo
 

Grant Green wrote:
> >You say you overblow throat G to get altissimo D, and throat F#
> >to get alt D#. I play alt D using the register key alone; D# using
> >register key and Ab. Of course, this is a straight plastic contra,
> >others may differ.
> >
> >Craig
>
> Actually, I said *C#* using the throat F# fingering [+register key]...
>
> Grant

We're on the same page. How do these notes speak for you?
What is the register venting system on your contra?

Craig

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

Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2001 09:31:29 -0800
From: Grant Green
Subject: Re: [CB] Contra-altissimo
 

> > Actually, I said *C#* using the throat F# fingering [+register key]...
> >
> > Grant
>
>We're on the same page. How do these notes speak for you?
>What is the register venting system on your contra?
>
>Craig

Not very well: I need to spend a bit more time getting them to speak
better...  My contra-alto is set up just like the Selmer model: a
combination Bb/lower register vent, and an upper register vent on the
gooseneck.

Grant

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Grant Green
ecode:contrabass       http://www.contrabass.com
Professional Fool -> http://www.mp3.com/ProFools
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
***End of Contrabass Digest***

 
Next Digest ->
Previous Digest <-
Index
Top