Basset clarinet
Basset clarinet after Anton Stadler (replica), 1st modern basset clar. (1900–1950) German system, Basset clar. French System | |
| Woodwind musical instrument | |
|---|---|
| Other names | German: Bassettklarinette, French: clarinette de basset; Italian: clarinetto di bassetto; |
| Classification | Aerophon, clarinet-family |
| Inventor(s) | Theodor Lotz and others |
| Developed | around 1770 |
| Playing range | |
|
basset clarinet in A written: C3-C7, sounding a minor third lower: A2-A6 | |
| Related instruments | |
| clarinet, clarinet d'amore, alto clarinet, basset horn | |
| Musicians | |
| Sabine Meyer, Charles Neidich, Vlad Weverbergh, Sharon Kam, Martin Fröst, Shirley Brill | |
| Builders | |
| Leitner & Kraus (instrument top), Schwenk & Seggelke (instruments in the middle and below), Buffet Crampon, Backun Musical Services, Stephan Fox, FAU, Wurlitzer, Gerold-Clarinets | |
The basset clarinet is member of the clarinet family similar to the usual soprano clarinet but longer and with additional keys to enable playing several additional lower notes. Typically a basset clarinet has keywork going to a low (written) C or B, as opposed to the standard clarinet's E or E♭. The basset clarinet is most commonly a transposing instrument in A, although basset clarinets in C and B♭ and very seldom in G also exist. The similarly named basset horn is also a clarinet with extended lower range, but is in a lower pitch (typically F); the basset horn predates, and undoubtedly inspired, the basset clarinet.