From: "Sung Hwang Wang"
Date: Wed, 04 May 2005 16:11:45 -0700
Subject: [CB]
One surest way is to look at the top of the instrument, right
inside the inverted U curve and look closely at the register vent key
that is clearly visible between the 2 parallel tubes.
I will try my best to explain this:
The Bb horn has what I call a "cobra snake" look; whereas the Eb
horn has the "swing pendulum" look. This refers to the positional
relationship between arm lever that has the pad on the end that
closes/opens the register vent, and the screw post that pivots/operates
this arm lever.
On the Bb horn, the cobra snake look, the thing looks very much
like the cobra snake. The screw post is postition directly below
the mobile arm lever and the pad. Think of the pad as the head of
the cobra snake, the arm lever moves forward and backward like the
neck/body of the snake. And you will get the idea.
On the Eb horn, the swing pendulum look, the position is
opposite. Now the screw post is position above the arm lever with
the pad at the end. Think of the pad as the end of the pendulum,
the arm lever rocks back and forward like the pendulum. And you
will ge the idea.
Sorry I wished I could explain this better. But this is a
foolproof way of identification. But it helps to have a general
concept of the mechanical parts.
Thanks.
Willy
---------------------------------------------------------
From: "Bruce Abbott"
Subject: Re: [CB] A Field Guide to Paperclip Contras
Date: Wed, 4 May 2005 22:56:31 -0500
Hi, Grant,
Thanks much for the detailed pointers. I've only seen one
Leblanc 350 in person: Ben Goldberg showed me his horn after a
gig with the Tin Hat Quartet in Minneapolis last winter. But I
didn't get a chance to study it in detail. (Terrific music at
that show, by the way!)
Most of my information comes, as I said, from Web
archives. I got a large dose of insights, details, and enthusiasm
for the 350 from a Patrick Scully, who made a flurry of eloquent
contributions to the Clarinet BB in 2002, as well as some to the Yahoo
BC Group. In re-reading those this evening, I found that he
described three RH side keys for the 350 (and only one for the
340). Also, the only reference I could find to a low-D horn was
for the 340.
So, thanks again. And yes, the proximate cause of my
e-mail today was the Leblanc 350 on eBay. But I don't know, I'd
prefer to inspect and even play a horn before buying it...
Cheers,
Bruce
---------------------------------------------------------
From: "Bruce Abbott"
Subject: Re: [CB]
Date: Wed, 4 May 2005 23:08:23 -0500
Thanks much, Willie,
I can't wait to inspect some paperclip contras up close, so I
can follow up on your VIVID descriptions! Your contributions to
the on-line groups are always informative and a good read to
boot. One such posting describes your wrestling with the straight
Vito contra-alto; has your chiropractor urged you to replace it with a
paperclip model?
And, how did your request for local low clarinetists (any
BCs in BC?) turn out? Wish I lived closer than Minnesota - I'd
sure be interested!
Cheers (low and loud),
Bruce
---------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 05 May 2005 12:29:18 -0400
From: Marion Garver Fredrickson
Subject: [CB] Many Contrabass flute sightings!
Friday, May 6,2005 San Diego State University Music
building noon concert
Premiere of Chris Fulford-Brown's The Heist for solo Contrabass
flute
Sunday May 15,2005 University of California, Riverside 8pm
concert
Adam Gilberti's Genesis(for large ensemble)
May 21, 2005 8PM
California Institute of Music Flute Choir
Will be performing at the Neuroscience Institute, , along with
other ensembles from CIM featuring jr. & sr. high wind & string
ensembles.
Flute choir will play "Masques" by Anne McGinty, J.S. Bach's
"Sleepers Wake", Allegro from Boismortier's Concerto for 5 flutes
in A minor, and Vivaldi's flute concerto "Il Cardellino"
Free Admission
May 28, 2005 San Diego, CA
5:30PM
CIM Flute Choir will play Mozart Andante in C, Mozart Rondo,
Anne Mcginty's "Masques" at the Carmel Valley Library at 5:30pm. along
with other solo CIM student performers.
Free Admission
June 26,2005 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
World Premiere of Canadian electroacoustic composer Shawn
Pinchbeck's Transformation no.2 for Kingma system Contrabass flute and
tape
August 13,2005
10:30am-noon California Ballroom, Town and Country Hotel,
San Diego, CA
US Premiere of Canadian electroacoustic composer Shawn
Pinchbeck's Transformation no.2 for
Kingma-system Contrabass and tape
All performances feature Marion Garver Fredrickson on
Kingma-system Contrabass flute!
---------------------------------------------------------
From: "Patrick Scully"
Subject: RE: [CB] [CB Digest] Leblanc Model 350 Eb Contrabass
Clarinet Identification
Date: Thu, 5 May 2005 13:13:51 -0700
***
> Thanks in advance for your horn-watching tips. I have
pored over the
> archives of the Clarinet Bulletin Board, and the Yahoo Bass
Clarinet
> list, and this list as well. I have learned much
about these contra
> horns, thanks to all your helpful entries. But you've
put the monkey on
> my back! I must have one!
>
> -- Bruce, aka Low_Reed
Hi Bruce,
I haven't sent anything up to the contra list in awhile, but
given the subject matter of your recent inquiry -- the Model 350 Contra
is dear to my heart -- I couldn't resist. In any event, it feels
good to be contributing to our list again...
Now then, you asked for some tips in identifying a Leblanc Model
350 Eb contrabass clarinet, and differentiating it from some other
Leblanc paperclip models (all of which are Model 340 in Bb -- one to
low D, and the other to low C). As the owner of four Leblanc
paperclips (I haven't been able to part with any of them, despite the
partial duplication in my collection), it's pretty easy for me to
consult physical reality in making the following observations!
Bruce, the only BBb contra that could be confused with the 350
is the Leblanc Model 340 with range to low C. The low D models
lack an extension joint bearing the C# and C toneholes, so the bell
attaches directly above the low D tonehole, roughly 3/4 of the distance
to the top U joint, and about level with the players' face. Also,
most of the low D 340's were finished in a heavy "glass bead"
silverplate (and have a rich tone all their own that lead many --
including Eugene Marquis, Eclectic Clarinets, to prefer them to the low
C models), whereas all of the 350's and low C 340's seem to have either
bright or black nickelplate originally. Finally, most -- if not
all -- of the low D models lack any RH thumb keys whatsoever. The
low D is actuated by a LH4 lever alone.
Differentiating the 350 from a low C 340 -- at a distance and
from photographs -- is best accomplished by looking for the RH side
trill keys. The model 340, to the dismay of generations of contra
players, has only one of the four trills found on the "junior"
clarinets, but the model 350 has three (alternate trill fingerings
obviate the need for the B-C trill).
Another detail that should be visible in a photograph is that
the Model 350, unlike all model 340s, has only two long straight joints
(tubes) connected by two U joints. The 340 has four straight
joints joined in pairs by tenons that roughly bisect the
instrument. Indeed, older 340s could be disassembled right at the
middle (later instruments have their tenons soldered in this location,
and many of the older ones were converted to solder by repair
techs). The essentially one-piece construction of the body of the
Model 350 makes this instrument especially durable, sturdy, and easy to
adjust.
A more subtle differentiator is in the octave mechanisms.
The model 350 has a double automatic octave, while the model 340 has a
triple one. (Interestingly enough, it is the model 350 that has the
more accessible altissimo register, possibly because the Bb vent is
larger and functions as an octave vent in many of the altissimo
fingerings.) This detail, unfortunately, is one for the
experts. Best to look for the RH trills or the bisecting tenons.
Good luck in your search for a Model 350 Leblanc Eb Contrabass
Clarinet. You will find it an incredibly versatile instrument, and a
whale of a gas to play as well.
Regards,
Patrick Scully
---------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 5 May 2005 14:05:26 -0700
From: "Grant Green"
Subject: RE: [CB] Leblanc Model 350 Eb Contrabass Clarinet
Identification
Hi Patrick,
From: "Patrick Scully"
Date: Thu, 5 May 2005 13:13:51 -0700
> ***
> Finally, most -- if not all -- of the low D models lack any
> RH thumb keys whatsoever. The low D is actuated by a
LH4 lever
> alone.
My recollection is that my high school's 340 (to low D) had a
single RT key for D. This would be an instrument probably made in the
60's or 70's.
> ***
>Indeed, older 340s could be disassembled right at the middle
>(later instruments have their tenons soldered in this
location,
> and many of the older ones were converted to solder by
repair
>techs).
Mine isn't: the upper and lower barrels are held together by a
nut and bolt adjustment, which allows one to adjust the intonation of
the horn (akin to pulling out in the middle of a soprano clarinet).
Enjoy!
Grant
--
================================
Grant Green Contrabass.com
Sarrusophones & contrabass winds
================================
***End of Contrabass Digest***