I was wondering if the instrument capable of making the deepest notes of any orchestral instrument is the Octocontrabass clarinet. I have had several sources tell me so, such as on Jay Easton's website, and Wikipedia. Also, the Guinness World Records book lists this instrument as the lowest sounding one.
However, Wikipedia also lists the Contra bassoon as the lowest instrument, and even my friend and several others who play various double reeded instruments agree.
Can someone validate my question? I'm dying to find out!
(and please do not take into account that only 3 of these instruments were supposedly ever made)
2007-12-21 01:26:26 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music ➔ Other - Music
Science is the best way to answer this. ☺
The range of the BBBb OctoContrbass (18.5hz - 15hz with extension to C) is a full two octaves below the bass clarinet (74hz) and an octave below the BBb Contra (37hz). The range of the contrabassoon (29hz) is one octave below the bassoon (58hz). EEb ContraAlto nearly matches the bassoon. The EEEb OctoContra would nearly match the contrabassoon.
The BBb bass sax (and by relation the Tubax) is 52hz while the Tuba is at 41hz with the string bass (bass viol). There does exist a BBBb contrabass Tuba an octave lower that is exceedingly rare. It'd be about 20hz.
The bottom of a piano is about 27hz.
This would mean that the BBBb OctoContraBass Clarinet (which only Leblanc made and of which there are very few) would indeed be the lowest woodwind as well as the lowest instrument we know of standard manufacture.
The question comes then, is this instrument an "orchestral instrument"? While there are parts written for the contra bassoon in orchestra, I know of no orchestral requirement for an octocontrabass clarinet (for that matter, the huge clarinets (beyond bass) aren't often called for in orchestra at all); therefor, while the contra bassoon is indeed an orchestral instrument, this clarinet probably is not.
In this way, the contra bassoon is the lowest of the orchestral instruments while the BBBb octocontrabass hold honors as being able to play lower but not being called for.
2007-12-21 17:01:30 · answer #1 · answered by CoachT 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Octocontrabass Clarinet
2016-09-28 15:02:22 · answer #2 · answered by borja 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Octocontrabass Clarinet: Lowest Orchestra Instrument?
I was wondering if the instrument capable of making the deepest notes of any orchestral instrument is the Octocontrabass clarinet. I have had several sources tell me so, such as on Jay Easton's website, and Wikipedia. Also, the Guinness World Records book lists this instrument as the lowest...
2015-08-06 16:27:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, if only three Octocontrabass clarinets were ever made, then there is a good chance that it makes the lowest sound. If the Contra bassoon is more common, then it could be considered the lowest by some because it's the lowest thing they've heard played.
2007-12-21 02:21:53 · answer #4 · answered by black mariah 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Octocontrabass IS the lowest, but is rarely used, obviously because there are so few in existance. The Contra Bassoon is the lost that is commonly used. I love both instruments and have played contrabass clarinet for several years...
2007-12-21 07:09:44 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The octocontrabass clarinet is, by most people, not considered an orchestral instrument, because most musical pieces don't call for one. It is, however, the lowest instrument ever created, and only one belonging to and made by George LeBlanc himself exists.
2013-10-20 16:59:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋