Re: Attempted spec for low-C bass clarinet diagrams

[Joseph Rushton Wakeling]

On 02/08/2013 12:58 PM, Wim van Dommelen wrote:
> Have never seen these 4 key-versions, but might very well be possible.

Used to be the norm -- the earliest examples in the clarinet family are basset 
clarinets and basset horns dating from the end of the 18th century (i.e. 
contemporary with Mozart).

The earliest bass clarinets date, so far as I know, from 1793 and also had this 
extended low-C range using thumb keys.  You can see some images here:
http://www.circb.info/sites/default/files/La%20prima%20musica%20per%20clarinetto%20basso_0.pdf

> >           * rh little-finger low ees (bottom row of keys) and cis (top row).
> In both Selmer and Buffet the top row lowest key is a low-d. The only low-cis is
> in the thumbs.

I see, so it's a little-finger d for both lh and rh?

> No, Selmer does NOT have a thumb key for the low d.

Again, so Selmer has only 3 thumb keys, it's just the notes delivered are 
different?

> Could we make it something like this: default that key is a low-ees (Selmer),
> have an option: \override #'(thumb-ees = thumb-d) for the Buffet. I'm not
> completly sure this can be done in a nice way. We could then just describe this
> in general in the documentation without mentioning the brand(s)?
>
> >     Pictorially, the thumb keys would reflect the Buffet layout.
> Yes, pictorial the Buffet low d and the Selmer low ees (dis!) are the same.
> Actually, in the end this is the only key which differs between these models.
> One diagram to fit them both is really preferable.

Actually, I think we have a simpler situation here, if the 3 thumb keys are 
identical in layout, just different in outcome.

So, I would suggest low-c bass clarinet allows thumb-ees, thumb-d, thumb-cis, 
thumb-c.  In pictorial mode, thumb-d and thumb-ees correspond to the same key. 
In key-name mode, they show up as D and Eb respectively.

We then add a warning in the docs about this.

> Agreed, but we must decide on where to put the rh side keys, e.g. above that
> line, note that the naming might again be confusing (the current side-key "four"
> is also an "Eb" or a "Dis" but one octave higher).

I was not proposing to change current behaviour/notation for the moment (one 
thing at a time, and all that).  However, since it's worth addressing, for all 
clarinets, I would call these keys tr-ees, tr-fis, tr-bes, tr-b, and in keyname 
mode I would notate them:

     o o     o o       o o       o o
       o       o         o         o
    Eb o    F# o    Bbtr o    Bntr o
       -       -         -         -
       o       o         o         o
       o       o         o         o
       o       o         o         o

Where the n in "Bntr" should be replaced with a natural sign and "tr" is just 
the letters "tr" (short for "trill").

But one, two, three, four should be left in place as aliases for backwards 
compatibility.

> What irritates me in the current model is the "h" key (in the central column).
> That is something avaiable in bass clarinets (and similar in oboe), but really
> not in the regular soprano clarinet and there it also shows up, that should also
> be an extension for the bass clarinet only and not by default in the clarinet
> stencil. I would also prefer of it showing up differently

I think that "hole" is one thing that should show up _only_ when it's requested. 
 You don't lose anything by not showing it on the diagram when it's not 
specifically being pressed.

That should simplify matters with respect to bass vs. soprano clarinet.

>      I suggest in closing we fill up the "h" part and create a heavy ring on 
> "one".
>      You press the bottom part of the key, it closes the big gap but leaves a 
> small
>      hole in the middle. It works similar to the oboe (but I don't play oboe, so
> don't quote me on that).

Yea, it's there because the normal tone-hole size on the bass clarinet can be 
too large to function effectively as a register vent for the 3rd register.  The 
same applies on modern alto clarinets and (most) basset horns.