___________________________________________________ | | |CONTRABASS-L | | An email list for discussion of bass and | | contrabass instruments of all kinds. | | Contact gdgreen@crl.com for subscription. | | See www.contrabass.com/c-arch1.html for | | back issues. | |___________________________________________________|Vol. 1, No. 70
30 December 1996
EDITOR'S NOTE: Welcome aboard to Daryl Fletcher < daryl@www.walker.public.lib.ga.us >, Nils Bernstein < nilsb@subpop.com >, Scott Bracher < scott.braucher@latimes.com >, Robert Howe < arehow@vgernet.net >, Mike Irwin < MIrwin@Cinergy.com >, Marq < zgfam@p3.net >, and < LUAFSONE@aol.com > (didn't get a name there)! I think this is a record, for us. Please feel free to say a few words, as Nils has below.
On other notes, the contrabass.com domain is now active, and I think you can send any email to me at gdgreen@contrabass.com . I've transferred most of the web pages there, although the old link is still up as well. Current tentative plan is to revise and rationalize the web content at the new site before announcing the change in URL.
Scott is still working with the procmail/smartlist software, and we
hope to have a full automatic list online sometime soon.
Author: KUUP84A@prodigy.com (MR MARK A TRINKO)
Date: 12/28/96 1:08 PM
Subject: Contra-bassoon Festival
This is coming to you live from the Contra-fest. The culmination of more than a years work is here! We have contra players from all around the world here. Although the numbers are small (less than 15) we feel that those attending will benefit from the fellowship and experience between each other significantly.
Already everyone is excited about the next event. Frankly, I am going to take a few months off before starting to think about the next one. It defintiely will be a contra-everything event. Although most likely the proiminent instrument will be the contra-bassoon since that is where my head is at. Still this weekend we are discussing whether the event should be held the week after New Year in Las Vegas or as an add-on to the IDRS thing.
Sure wish you were all here. Lots of contra music, reeds, parts (instrument), and fun. Although the lectures and masterclass do not start until tommorrow morning, already everyone is getting together and practicing and preparing for tomorrow! This combination of professionals and students is really working good.
The Grand Finale Concert will end up with performers from 4 countries. There are several American Premieres and a World Premiere. Even the photographer has some stuff that the attendees will cherish forever.
Can you believe it? One of the attendees has a specific medical problem unique to bassoon players that Dr. Dawson specializes in. Everything came together real well. Do I sound excited?
Mark
>Do I sound excited?Yes, and with good reason! Congratulations on the success of the festival!
Grant
Author: "Daryl Fletcher" <daryl@www.walker.public.lib.ga.us>
Date: 12/29/96 2:32 PM
Subject: subscribe contrabass
Author: Hans Mons <Hans.Mons@iaehv.nl>
Date: 12/26/96 2:17 PM
Subject: Cornamuse, sordune. Was: BASS wind instruments
Don,
Eric Moulder (address on Grant's website) could be a source for Cornamuse plans. In his 1996 pricelist he shows the following:
WORKSHOP PLANS
Soprano and Alto Cornamuse 25.00 £
Tenor and Bass Cornamuse 35.00 £ (UK)
He does not make sordunes, but he makes a related instrument, the kortholt. Perhaps he knows a source for a sordune drawing.
Hans Mons
Author: GDG <gdgreen@crl.com> at SMTP
Date: 12/28/96 8:39 AM
TO: Nils <nilsb@subpop.com> at SMTP
Subject: RE: SUBSCRIBE CONTRABASS-L
For the moment, you post simply by sending the messages to me (at either gdgreen@crl.com or gdgreen@contrabass.com), whereupon I paste them into a digest. "For sale" and "wanted" posts are perfectly fine, as long as they're relevant (i.e., relate to musical instruments, particularly the larger sizes). We even take the ocassional "commercial" post, as long as its not obnoxious.
Grant
At 06:34 PM 12/27/96 -0800, you wrote:
>Thanks, but...how do I post? What's the address? Thanks. And are "for
>sale" and "wanted" posts OK as long as they're non-commercial?
>Nils
>>----------
>>From: Grant Green[SMTP:gdgreen@crl.com]
>>Sent: Friday, December 27, 1996 10:25 AM
>>To: nilsb@subpop.com
>>Subject: Re: SUBSCRIBE CONTRABASS-L
>>At 04:07 PM 12/26/96 -0800, you wrote:
>>>SUBSCRIBE CONTRABASS-L
>>You're subscribed!
>>Next digest is likely to be next Monday or Tuesday. Please feel free to
>>post an introduction (e.g., interest in bass/contrabass instruments,
>>background, etc.): not required, of course, but appreciated.
>>Welcome aboard!
>>Grant
Author: Nils <nilsb@subpop.com>
Date: 12/29/96 2:32 PM
Subject: intro
Well then, here's my first post...hello everyone! My name is Nils Bernstein, I'm in Seattle, and I'm a budding contra player. I played bass clarinet in school and recently have remembered my love for the LOW and have decided to pursue it again, in full. If anyone has any affordable LOW instruments, (esp. reed) I'm in the market.
Apologies in advance for the basic and "green" nature of my post. What I lack in knowledge I'll make up for in enthusiasm, I promise.
I'm especially interested in a contrabass clarinet--any advice? I have a line on a cheap plastic (straight) Bundy and am tempted just so I can get a contra cheap, but should I hold out for a nicer curved metal one? And are contralto clarinets fun & worthwhile or should I hold out for a contrabass?
Also, what is an E-flat contrabass clarinet? Isn't that just a contralto? Is it just a matter of which one the manufacturer decides to call it?
Sorry for all the questions...Nils
I think a few other subscribers have actual experience with the Bundy contras. Comments?
As for the Eb contra, yes, this is the same as the "contralto" clarinet. It's always struck me as kind of a funny designation, as the contralto label for voices applies to one lower than alto but higher than tenor (instead of lower than bass).
Grant
Author: KUUP84A@prodigy.com (MR MARK A TRINKO)
Date: 12/30/96 8:28 AM
Subject: Contra-bassoon Festival a Success!
It is now over. What a success! All involved wanted it again. Decision made to conduct it the week after New Year in January 1998 in Las Vegas.
Will be a 3 or 4 day event with competition. Contra-everything. Contra-band (need director & composer for multi-basement instruments).
All 14 registrants from this year agreed to be involved in the planning and organization of next year event.
Megan Ulmer of Pennsylavania will be assisting me during the next year to plan this event. We need you now to get involved with us so you can be a part of it. Advertising of this event will be only through IDRS Journal and at IDRS meeting in Evanston.
Tell all your contra-anything friends!
Author: KUUP84A@prodigy.com (MR MARK A TRINKO)
Date: 12/28/96 1:05 PM
Subject: SUBSCRIBE
This is Mark - A friend who is a contra affectionado (bassoon) and a woodwind photographer would like to subscribe. Since he is sitting next to me (and not on his comupter) I told him I would ask you to subscribe him.
His name is Scott Bracher from Los Angeles. His email address is: scott.braucher@latimes.com
Author: Marq <zgfam@p3.net>
Date: 12/24/96 3:44 PM
Subject: contrabass
SUBSCRIBE CONTRABASS-L
Author: LUAFSONE@aol.com
Date: 12/24/96 3:44 PM
Subject: SUBSCRIBE CONTRABASS-L
A SUBSCRIPTION
Author: GDG <gdgreen@crl.com> at SMTP
Date: 12/28/96 8:48 AM
TO: arehow@vgernet.net at SMTP
Subject: Re: Contrabass whatevers
At 11:50 PM 12/27/96 -0400, you wrote:
>Hello, it is late and I am very, very tired but I just came acrossYes, the lowest note on my 'anche is the contra D (just checked it out yesterday, while compiling a fingering chart for the beast). For reeds, I've been using great bass sordune reeds from the Early Music Shop of Bradford UK (I think their web address is something like http://www.e-m-s.com ). These reeds are actually a bit too wide for the bocal on my 'anche, but the repair shop that restored the horn to playable condition also applied a layer of cork around the tip so that the reed fits. Works pretty well! The reeds also work well (and fit perfectly) on my Eb contra sarrusophone.
>your WebSite on Contrabass instruments. What a gas! You have a
>marvelous site. A serious WW collector, I have a playable contrabass
>ad anchia, an 1880ish model by Orsi of Milano, ex Wurlitzer
>colleciton. Professor Romeo Orsi recently made me a new leadpipe and
>I am eager to play it, but the modified sax mouthpieces I have tried
>will not vibrate slowly enough. A contrabassoon reed is too small
>and will not fit the leadpipe; Baines' book describes the anche reed
>as even larger, and Montague's & Joppig's books have some great
>pictures. Both Orsi and Vandoren USA have promised me reeds but
>alas...Any ideas? Can you tell me about yours? Baines suggested that
>the lowest note is D.
>My other "contrabass" instruments are less unusual but are of fineI do know of several rothophones for sale. Paul Cohen (the columnist for Saxophone Journal) has an old Bb tenor rothophone for sale, and Lyn Marcus (Los Angeles) has Bb soprano, Eb alto, and C tenor rothophones for sale (last time I checked). I'll try and remember to forward their contact info when I get back to the office on Monday.
>quality, being a 1995 Buffet Prestige bass clarinet to low C, a
>(?--unmarked, but probably by) Cabart Albert system bass clarinet to
>low D, a 1916 Pan American (by Conn) bass Sax and a 1985 Loree bass
>oboe. I am interested in oboes of all sorts and in odd WW in general,
>so if you find Rothophones, Sarrusophones, Heckelphones, tarogatos
>(I've two), a contrabass clarinet, old oboes, or odd fingering oboes
>(esp. a Zuleger or Koch Vienna system oboe) etc. for sale you may
>direct information to me.
>Regards, and I look forward to corresponding.As do I. Are you interested in signing up for the mailing list? It's mainly discussion like this, but including 60+ other contrabass fanatics ;-). At the moment, it comes out digest only, and back issues are archived at http://www.crl.com/~gdgreen/c-arch1.html . If you're interested, just let me know and I'll add you to the list of subscribers.
>Robert HoweGrant
Author: ROBERT HOWE <arehow@vgernet.net>
Date: 12/28/96 1:05 PM
Subject: Rothophones
Hello GDG. Thank you for the suggestion re: Rothophones for sale. Please get me any info you can on any of those that you mentioned that are available. I'd love to receive Contrabass, so you can add me to your EMail list.
Thanks, RH
Author: Grant Green <gdgreen@crl.com> at SMTP
Date: 12/27/96 11:02 AM
TO: "Irwin; Mike" <MIrwin@Cinergy.com> at SMTP
Subject: Re: SUBSCRIBE CONTRABASS-L
You're subscribed!
Author: school@epix.net
Date: 12/24/96 3:44 PM
Subject: Re: Contrabass-L No. 69
A holiday thought for all you digesters:
-A candy cane is nothing more than a contrabass lollipop-
Eh? Eh? Merry Xmas, Hannukah, Solstice, Voodoo Day, etc.
-Chris Chappell
End Contrabass-L No. 70