Or the lack of the need for special voicing work!
Steve Nelson just finished my Leblanc Paris BBb contrabass clarinet and I eagerly sped home in the JaAGmobile. I have a Walter Grabner hand-crafted CX-BBCN made from a Zinner blank. I’m also using a Legere 2.5 reed. I can play this instrument in the first sitting from a whisper quiet low Eb, to high notes that actually sound beautiful!
There is an evenness and security I never thought possible, with a rich mellow tone – even when "letting it rip" and rattling the walls. Articulation is also a breeze, crisp, clean and consistent. I can’t wait to hear my friend Gerg play it; he’s the real clarinet player.
How Steve was able to fix this instrument I’ll never know. It came from a school and probably wasn’t played very much. But there were pad problems, leaks, and bent key works galore. Now it is a joy to hold and play. Maybe we’ll find a way to feature it in the Winterfest concert.
As I have said before, I can’t imagine ever getting a lower clarinet, yes they exist or for that matter saxophone than the ones I have now. They are a royal pain to transport and take care of during a gig. No one realizes how fragile they are because their behemoth size belies the ease in which one can get out of sync or damaged. But I’ve said that before and have been wrong. :o)
There are a number of video recordings on YouTube.com if you search using the string "contrabass clarinet".
About Gandalfe
Just an itinerant saxophonist trying to find life between the changes. I have retired from the Corps of Engineers and Microsoft. I am an admin on the Woodwind Forum, run the Pacifica Big Band (formerly the Microsoft Jumpin' Jive Orchestra) and participate in other ensembles. Mostly enjoy time with family and friends.
The Bis Key Chronicles 
Congrats on your new clarinet!
I love these Leblanc contrabasses. I’ve also spent serious time on both the S-shaped Vito (that you have to sit on a stool to play) and the gorgeous rosewood-and-silver Selmer (that costs as much as a decent new car), but nothing matches the swamp-thing sound of the ugly old paperclip contra. Congrats.
How much does it weigh? I used to play the clarinet but didn’t keep up with it. Very nice looking instrument.
thank you.
HTML clipboard أبطال العرب
مكتبة
الفيديو ياسر
الرياضة العربية والعالمية12 الأندية
كوره
tags
I’m giving you a new title of "The Music Man". Mom
Geesh, I don’t know how much it weighs as it is so light compared to the bigger saxophones. When I play the low notes I am shocked at how slow the reed vibrates. It’s truly amazing. Um mom, wasn’t the music man a charlatan? ;o)
Jim, one more instrument to worry about finding the time to practise…
But seriously, why not become a specialist on the low uns’ ? Bari/bass, tubax and now contra-clari – you’ve got a more diverse sub-sound collection than most, it’d be perfect. Forget the squeakers, except maybe keep the soprillo just for shock value. Keep on rumblin’…