From: David Richoux
Subject: Re: [CB] Lowest Notes, etc.
Date: Wed, 17 Nov 2004 18:39:03 -0800
I have heard several "Flame Organs" - some at Burning Man and
one recording from a French artist/musician that can generate very
"musical" low frequency tones. I cannot describe the total ear/body
relationship in experiencing these instruments - I guess you just have
to be there!
I was also remembering a Canadian instrument/sound chamber
called Silophone - (
www.silophone.net
) a huge resonating chamber formed by a group of giant grain
silos with big speakers to send sound samples out into the echo space.
You can be there in person or listen in on the web and submit sound
samples to be heard by the real-time and on-line audience
some interesting sub-contrabass stuff to be found both in nature and
and man-made creations.
Anybody else remember the TV program that James Burke did on PBS
many years ago (probably "Connections") where he was talking about the
earliest history of man and music while standing next to a very large
rock somewhere in deepest Africa - then he hit the rock with a big
stick an it gave out a most remarkable low gong tone!
Or was I hallucinating? ;-)
Dave Richoux
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From: Richard Spittel
Date: Wed, 17 Nov 2004 22:11:36 EST
Subject: [CB] Bass Clarinet Question
OK, I know bass clarinets are almost too small for this list,
but I have a question about currrently available ones. I
have a high school student whose parents are starting to make noises
about buying one for their daughter. They can hear the big
difference in her sound between her school Selmer (USA), i.e., Bundy;
and my own Selmer. We're both amazed at how much easier it is to
play technical stuff on the Selmer than the Bundy, and are ticked off
at how often the Bundy goes out of adjustment.
Other than new Selmer or Yamaha models, are there some out there
which could be considered mid-line or step-up instruments? What
about Low-Eb vs. Low C? (I know that could be a difference in
price). She doesn't want to major in music, but wants to continue
playing after high school, and would like to have her own decent
instrument, so she's not at the mercy of whatever instruments a school
or organization may have laying around.
Thanx in advance for your comments.
Richard Spittel
Baltimore, MD
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Date: Wed, 17 Nov 2004 22:20:55 -0500
From: Edward Branham
Subject: Re: [CB] Bass Clarinet Question
My 2 cents worth ...
Please keep in mind that many colleges
& universities will award a music scholarship with NO requirement that one major or
minor in music ... only that one shall participate at some defined
level (one public performance per quarter, for instance - and the
associated rehersals of course) in some part of the institution's music
program.
Getting the extended range horn may be a great investment from
that perspective.
--
"The Republican in me likes initiative and orderliness. The
Democrat in me thinks the public really is this stupid and needs
shepherding. And the Libertarian in me wants to scream, then move to
Belize."
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From: "Sherry Katz"
Subject: Re: [CB] Bass Clarinet Question
Date: Wed, 17 Nov 2004 21:32:32 -0800
I have quite a bit of experience with Bass Clarinets. I
have at least tried just about every plastic student bass clarinet
currently made and a few older ones. I currently own a Buffet Low
C model, and previously owned a Yamaha. I have tried friend's
Selmer models.
First, without exception every student bass clarinet is an
inferior instrument. This has its roots in the octave key
mechanism which is simplified and inadequate. Many years ago I
played the older student models with two octave keys. They were
vastly superior to the newer horns. Of the current student horns
the Bundy and Yamaha models are the "best" but in my opinion this means
they are merely adequate. The low register is OK but the upper
register is stuffy.
In the newer instruments the Selmer and the Buffet are both
excellent although each has its advocates. The Buffet is slightly
cheaper. Personally I prefer the Buffet. For a while I owned a
Yamaha. The Yamaha is quite a bit cheaper and the ergonomics are
probably superior, but I could never achieve as rich of a sound as on
the Buffet.
By comparison I own a few soprano clarinets and I often play a
plastic Yamaha which I find to be quite satisfactory. Similarly I
think there are many saxophones which are fine. Unfortunately
there is no inexpensive Bass Clarinet option that will enable the
musician to play at a high level.
***End of Contrabass Digest***