Yes, that was actually my first band instrument. But it's usually "contra-alto", unelided, and I believe the majority opinion is that "contra-alto" is stupid and one might as well say "Eb contrabass". I think the reason we find "contra-alto" stupid is exactly that it doesn't fit the sense we've been groping towards above, the Eb contrabass isn't opposed/adjacent/whatever to the Eb alto, it just happens to be in the same key.imperialbari wrote:And the clarinetists have a special ‘reeding’ of the term of contralto. Theirs is a contrabass.
Contrabass
- Donn
- 6 valves

- Posts: 5977
- Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2005 3:58 pm
- Location: Seattle, ☯
Re: Contrabass
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Hank74
- 3 valves

- Posts: 395
- Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2004 3:58 pm
- Location: Upstate New York
Re: Contrabass
Donn, what kind of helicon are you playing in that profile picture?
Hank74
Baritone Horn: Wessex BBb
Contras: Dynasty BBb
Helicon: Wessex BBb
Sousas: Conn, Holton, Jupiter, King, Yamaha. All BBb.
Tubas: King, Martin, Reynolds (one w/Olds bell). All BBb.
Baritone Horn: Wessex BBb
Contras: Dynasty BBb
Helicon: Wessex BBb
Sousas: Conn, Holton, Jupiter, King, Yamaha. All BBb.
Tubas: King, Martin, Reynolds (one w/Olds bell). All BBb.
- Donn
- 6 valves

- Posts: 5977
- Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2005 3:58 pm
- Location: Seattle, ☯
Re: Contrabass
Lignatone (Amati) Eb, 4 clock spring valves. Same, I believe, as modern Ceverny but for the valves.