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Contrabass-list Sat, 15 Nov 1997 Volume 1 : Number 35
In this issue:
Date: Sat, 15 Nov 97 23:19:57 -0800
From: Adam
Korman <adamk@san.rr.com>
Subject:
Hello/Question
I've been lurking on this list for a short while and I thought I'd introduce myself as I ask a couple of questions. I've been playing soprano clarinet for about 14 years, I've played bass clarinet a handful of times, and I haven't played contra until recently when I got a LeBlanc BBb contrabass which I'm very excited about. Having never played contrabass before, it took me several days to realize that it actually wasn't just me, but the instrument which needed some adjustment to play properly.
I was able to temporarily fix the major problem (and now I can play reasonably well from low Eb to C above the staff), but I was playing the other day and the left hand F/C key fell off! I was able to screw it back on, but I'm wondering where is a good place for quality repairs to take care of my woes. I can just imagine the shoddy work that might be done by someone unfamiliar with the instrument. I'm in San Diego and would like to find a place in So. California if possible, to avoid having to ship the damn thing. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
My other questions are related to range. Only by trial and error have I been able to get any decent sounds above high C -- before I go about systematically experimenting with fingerings, etc., has anybody done this already, is there any reference, or is each instrument idiosyncratic in this regard? In the meantime I find it hard to build my technique by going through regular clarinet method books because most exercises that don't bore me to tears and/or are challenging spend some time up in that range. Any suggestions for challenging exercises that don't venture up too high? Obviously I can adapt what I have to suit my needs, but I'm basically a lazy person so I'd rather have the easy way out, if there is one.
Anyway, glad to see that this list exists, and I appreciate any suggestions you all might have.
Adam Korman
adamk@san.rr.com
< http://home.san.rr.com/adam/ >
End of contrabass-list V1 #35