Contralto Clarinet Review/Overview

This is a review/overview of the Contralto Clarinet. It is pitched in Eb and is pitched between the Bass Clarinet and Contrabass Clarinet. These instruments are primarily used in larger orchestras and are generally easier to play than the Contrabass Clarinet

[@RDurfee]

Very cool. In high school many years ago, I played bassoon in the main symphony band, but I also played contralto clarinet in the concert band for two years. It was a fun instrument, though I had to sit on a stool instead of a chair. The music parts always referred to it as “E♭ Contrabass Clarinet” though back then. (And when there wasn’t a part, I’d have to transpose the bassoon part on the fly.) Fun memories.

[@InstrumentManiac]

Sounds pretty dang good for a Bundy! Nice find and helpful info, great work!

[@musokid89]

I've got one of these too, the Selmer Bundy contra-alto (sometimes called model 1440) is a very good instrument and great value for money. They sound much fuller/richer and are more free-blowing than the straight metal Leblanc contra-alto which can be quite stuffy in comparison -although that might have just been the pads on the instrument I tested? Regardless of which model contra-alto, they all definitely need a heck of a lot more air and a decent mouthpiece/reed set up.

[@eastmarvista3267]

Love the sound! I played Bass Clarinet in Jr. High School Orchestra and loved it.

[@adamschmidt6386]

Nice review, as always! haha (ps I like your turtle)

[@theinstrumentman7429]

Thanks! And he's actually a tortoise. His name is Terry haha

[@adenh6067]

Is it a good idea switching to contralto clarinet for orchestra from alto/bari sax? (Saxophones aren’t allowed in my school’s orchestra)

[@theinstrumentman7429]

You probably wouldn't be playing contra except every once in a while. You'd likely be put on bass clarinet and only play contra when there's a song that has it. I think it'd be a great idea, especially if you're not allowed to play sax (which is odd). You can learn a lot from playing Clarinet/bass clarinet and it's a common double for saxophone players so it's definitely worth learning

[@camshaun_05]

what do you actually play in band?

[@theinstrumentman7429]

Mainly bass trombone and saxophone but I've played clarinet, mellophone, french horn and tuba in various bands at one point or another

[@carlcarlton328]

Is that the original bell? I remember them being alot bigger.

[@theinstrumentman7429]

Yes it's the original bell. Some of the professional level instruments have the big, tall bell but the student ones have a more normal sized bell

[@sampohoreskeybuskinglooseb9238]

I play many instruments to maybe we can do a live stream and talk about instruments.

[@theinstrumentman7429]

That does sound cool but I don't know if anyone would watch. I've wanted to do a Q&A type live stream but I don't know if anyone would be interested

[@_grim_7399]

How tall are you/ how tall is the contralto clarinet?

[@tdawggrayson]

anybody know the height? (not the length of the tubing, but how tall it is)

[@FearInGlock]

About 190-230 centimeters

[@tdawggrayson]

@@FearInGlock really? I thought the contrabass was the 6 foot tall one

[@giganerd896]

@@tdawggrayson Contrabass clarinet in BBb is about six feet, yeah

[@tdawggrayson]

@@giganerd896 do you know for the Eb contra?

[@Ben-ig3bf]

I bought the Bundy 1440 today for 1300€!

[@BKrystall]

The rosewoods are better than Bundy

[@theinstrumentman7429]

Ya they definitely are. They're also about $30,000 more so I'd expect them to be better

[@krane15]

Rosewood is inherently inefficient and extremely unstable. It is also a material, not a brand. But assuming Bundy refers to the material Resonite (a plastic), Rosewood would definitely be of a superior quality. Although, most definitely not for use as a student instrument.

[@giganerd896]

@@krane15 Selmer makes a rosewood Contra. Definitely not for students, but as you say, leaps and bounds better than Bundy.

[@notanedgysnipermain4977]

You look like Ben Shapiro