Talk:Contra-alto clarinet

message: I added a redirect from "contralto clarinet" to this page.  Actually, arguably, that should be the title of the article.  -- Ithacagorges
: I would agree.  "Contralto" seems to be the more common spelling.  Powers 17:07, 12 February 2006 (UTC)
replies: text:  It may be more common but it is less correct.  The word "contralto" in reference to vocal ranges is essentially synonymous with "alto" (see alto) -- not logically, perhaps, but in well-established usage.  Clarinet nomenclature may not make perfect sense, but it is more or less based on vocal range names, and to call an instrument an octave lower than an alto and a half octave lower than a bass "contralto", when the slightly less absurd -- and quite standard -- term "contra-alto" is available, is silly. Rsholmes 05:01, 13 February 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: * You definitely have a point; however, many names and terms are misnomers to one extent or another.  I'd be inclined to use the most common spelling/variation of the term.  This clarinet is sometimes called the "Eb contrabass", which probably makes the most sense of the three terms, however it is also the least common. The Bb contrabass clarinet is listed as such rather than "contra-bass" (although this is less of a misnomer and again both are used) so "contralto" might be a bit more consistent. -- Ithacagorges 07:58, 13 February 2006 (UTC)

text: *: OK, after further research, I'm more inclined to agree with Rsholmes.  I hadn't realized the connotation of the "contralto" term in vocal ranges.  I maintain that the contracted form is more elegant (and would probably use it personally if I were to take up the instrument), but I don't have a problem with "contra-alto."  Also, a Google search contradicted my previous evaluation that "contralto" was more common; in reference to clarinets, it seems "contra-alto" has more hits.  Even Selmer Paris uses the hyphenated form: .  Leblanc does too: . Powers 15:33, 14 February 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Former redirect 

message: From a musical perspective, it is difficult justify or consider
any term with greater clarity than Bass Clarinet in Eb or
Eb Bass Clarinet.
The Eb Contra Alto Clarinet is a bass clarinet. What quality would
lead one to describe it as alto? What quality would lead one to
descibe it a contra alto?
I would no more call a Bass Clarinet in Eb a contra alto clarinet,
then the Bass Clarinet in Bb a sub contra Bb (neutral\non soprano
non tenor\standard) clarinet.
The Eb Alto Clarinet in my mind functions to smooth the Bb Clarinet,
or A and Bb Clarinets, a patch for the clarinet inter choir gap, and previously,
perhaps hypothetically, and in my mind, still justafiably, intra choir break.
The Eb Bass Clarinet (Contra-Alto Clarinet) is a bass instrument,
it has no functional relation that one would expect from the name
contra alto.
It is a Bass Clarinet in Eb.  It is not a contra bass clarinet.
The Contrabass Clarinet in Bb, is a contra bass clarinet,
it functions in a way that is related, or set against the
bass clarinets in Bb and Eb, although it certainly has its
own individuality.
I think in instrument names, the word contra has, like it
or not, a superlative function.
A Contrabass Clarinet is a very bass clarinet.
What else could one say? Super bass? Bass bass?
Sub bass? Double bass? (That sounds familiar.)
That someone could write in a score Contra-alto Clarinets
instead of Bass Clarinets in Eb, or Eb Bass Clarinets, is
remarkable.
You don't suppose it could be because Eb in a rough hand might
look like Bb?
For the heading of the entry, I would favor Contra-alto too,
or whatever is most frequently used, since that is what people
will want to know about.
"What is a Contra-Alto Clarinet?" The answer: A bass clarinet in Eb.
Or: A bass clarinet in Eb, sounding lower than the bass clarinet in Bb.
Then the always difficult question:
"Why is it called a Contra-Alto Clarinet?"
Perhaps only because it is considered to be pitched an octave below the Alto Clarinet.
Perhaps to draw attention to it as something new, for marketing, like a brand name.
Ryo-17 12:03, 24 December 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Eb Contra Alto Clarinet