Dominy Clements - 'Extant-Extinct' on contrabass clarinet and subcontrabass flute.

A version of 'Extant-Extinct' (Dominy Clements, 1999) with Hans Witteman (contrabass clarinet) and Dominy Clements (subcontrabass flute), at the 5th Nationaal Concours voor Jeugdsymfonieorkesten, Akoesticum, Ede NL 2015.
Apologies for the sound quality. It's made with just an iPad propped on a chair and it was a lively acoustic!

[@leviradford707]

That flutes keys are louder than than the song

[@13_cmi]

They’re big and junky so it’s good enough

[@jacobcortez2007]

I can’t even hear the flute at all

[@emmanuelmaxey1347]

Right!

[@VV-ks6cw]

Most low flute players would or can mic it. We have no back pressure or a reed to make it louder. It is like playing a pipe organ using your lungs. There is only so much volume you can get out of it. I play the slightly smaller sub contrabass in G and mines metal. It’s louder than that one.

[@smokingblues5067]

That's what I thought, the clarinet same , not so musically pleasing... Maeby in band context

[@JensKafe]

Contrabass clarinet is so fun to play! I normally play bass clarinet but have had to play contrabass a few times when we didn’t have have any tubas. It’s probably the vibrating feeling in your face when you hit really low notes that makes it fun haha

[@04nurseguy]

You're not lying. I play bass clarinet, and there is something about that vibration that is oddly satisfying.

[@suzyinstitches273]

I played contra. It would vibrate so much I couldn’t see the music.

[@bobjacobson858]

I've played bass clarinet, but I've never even seen a contrabass let alone play one. That's why I enjoy these videos.

[@tommyblack7998]

The contrabass clarinet costs as much as a downpayment on a nice house. The Selmer bass clarinet is viciously expensive, too.

[@Sonoma1992]

@@suzyinstitches273 I play Contra, we play from memory though.

[@xelious866]

Well aren't those keys loud lol

[@aliyamoon80]

I find these instruments to be fascinating! I didn't know they even existed, and now I want a bass clarinet. Thank you for sharing this!

[@rw9495]

Bass clarinet is a great deal of fun! It uses the same reed size and embouchure as tenor sax, I love it

[@Da_TboneLife]

I want a contrabass trombone as well as normal bass

[@adamzimmerman2464]

@@Da_TboneLife I'm getting a contrabass trombone very soon. I got to play one recently and its not my new favorite instrument lol.

[@typicalyacob420]

The sound of the keys clanking is louder than the freaking hippo sound these instruments make! Amazing! Cant imagine how much air it would take to play these.

[@iptych]

Yes, sorry about that. It was recorded with an iPad leaning against a chair so I'm amazed you can hear anything at all. As for the amount of air, yes, it's a lot, but probably not as much as you imagine.

[@stevenorton1242]

No worries, Dominy, it rocks! The mess is not a bad thing, it's the modern condition. Samuel Beckett said "To find a form that accommodates the mess, that is the task of the artist now." So, good work!

[@4fx4]

I like how the flute’s black and the clarinet’s silver

[@cammmywhammy5989]

same

[@Nota_aa]

I got confused for a second when I first saw the instruments

[@voodooonevipersonstation663]

There are few instruments that deserve the titles of “beastly, demon horn, thunderstorm , god pipes, and pvc piping” but damn these instruments look so fun to play. It is my dream to play something as bassy as these, you catch an audiences attention when you stroll onto stake holding something that looks like a titan plays it, and you catch even more eyes when you put air in them.

[@iptych]

True. Stagger on to stage is more the reality!

[@voodooonevipersonstation663]

@@iptych of course 😂

[@Guuzaka]

Well, this certainly isn't something you see everyday! 😲🎶🎙

[@keesandre9247]

Wow, a lot of sour comments here, but we loved it. Imperfection, struggle, no time to breathe, it is drama in optima forma. Brilliant. As for the composition itself: we would have liked to hear the instruments alone at some point, and we also missed long notes. If any such thing is possible, that is... with the insane amounts of air that you must need. But otherwise, awesome.

[@iptych]

Thanks. The original is here kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJeVfZidp8-MhMk

[@briannavasquez8420]

All I can hear is the contrabass clarinet😂

[@nikomitrione]

BriDehUnicorn that and the OBNOXIOUSLY LOUD KEYS ON THE SUBCONTRABASS FLUTE!!!

[@captainefr2537]

Me too.

[@iptych]

Sorry.

[@mambojazz1]

We hear the flute just it sounds like an echo of the clarinet👍

[@benren10]

HOLY SHIT I LOVE THIS

[@maxdiazmusic3007]

I’d love to write some pieces for this duet!

[@iptych]

Alas, it was a one - off. The subcontra clarinet is back with its owner. Look up Sarah Watts and her ‘Feed the Beast’ project for more with that instrument. I’m always up for new things for subcontrabass flute (or flute octet) and it could easily be with standard bass clarinet.

[@waitotong9590]

These instruments must be rare!

[@latrellshamburger3726]

I love this

[@bobtyler7734]

this sounds awesome, I love contrabass and subcontrbass wood winds

[@Calico_Chip]

I have a fear of pipes and have submechanophobia. So this flute is so intriguing and I admire it but it spooks me at the same time. One of my favorite instruments for it's sound and the way it looks. So cool.

[@iptych]

There is indeed a strong psychological and medical aura around the subcontrabass flute. I may have to retire early…

[@latrellshamburger3726]

Wish i had one of my own

[@iptych]

Careful what you wish for! 😉

[@lifeisonlyoptional2215]

And to think sound this good exists. Those sound so good.

[@authorless]

I would probably be really light headed after playing either of these for two and a half minutes.

[@oscargill423]

I bet this would be epic to see live.

[@iptych]

At least I’m sure it would be better than this appalling recording!

[@musikant-d2x]

Let us hope that all sounds are produced by mouth ...

[@puebloheritage8354]

Wow, that is so cool! Thank you.

[@mytube9182]

The song name Fight of the far ting dinosaurs 😂

[@iptych]

That one was already taken, I think it was Kinky Friedman...

[@ethancampbell9096]

I used to be so sad the octocontrabass clarinet was never modernized, but after hearing this I can see why. They both looked like they were putting in so much work, but there was so little reward, the music just sounded bad. They were trying to play stocatto, but it doesn't work on these instruments because it takes so long for the air to get through all that wood or pipe. The contrabass clarinet can sound great if you get a good player, but I've never heard a good subcontrabass flute play well or with good tone or even any tone to start with. I see the appeal, but I don't think most bands could justify having a subcontrabass flute or an octocontrabass clarinet even if they did exist and were cheap.

[@iptych]

You make a fair point. This piece was actually written for normal flute and bass clarinet (for a performance outdoors) and of course works far better for these instruments - this recording was more a joky experiment than anything else. The subcontrabass flute is less solistic than the contrabass flute, and for my purposes works best as the foundation in a 'consort' setting. It makes all the difference in a flute ensemble, and you certainly notice the lack of weight if it's absent - also in rhythmic material. To hear the full potential of any flute put it in the hands of Robert Dick: he made my subcontra sound like a didgeridoo - such power!

[@michaelroach4219]

Is an octocontrabass clarinet loeer than a suncontrs bass clarinet ?

[@ethancampbell9096]

@@michaelroach4219 I believe the octocontrabass clarinet and subcontrabass clarinet are the same instrument, just different names

[@michaelroach4219]

@@ethancampbell9096 ah ha-they tricked us!

[@AOSMAKAKMS]

Add a subcontrabass tuba and this is gonna be dubstep

[@edwincancelii2917]

Awesome and perfect duo. There should be a low C contrabass clarinet with the double contrabass flute, or a C subcontrabass flute.

[@iptych]

Thanks! I'm sure it could work for any woodwind combination with a bit of (nimble) weight.

[@tommyblack7998]

There IS a low C contrabass clarinet. I saw a "paperclip" model online.

[@glendenig9962]

Very unique and very cool!

[@michaelroach4219]

"How low can you go?(limbo rock"-Chubber Checker.)Love it.My baritone sax sounds like a piccolo in comparison

[@harmvb3660]

Whats the reach of your baritone sax. I play euphonium,with alot of practice you can get up to 5 octaves

[@michaelroach4219]

@@harmvb3660 baritones start at b flat under the staff and go up to f above the staff.Most baritones have a low a key.There is an latissimus register above the high f. That would add another octave, maybe more.

[@harmvb3660]

@@michaelroach4219 so thats from 2th to 4th octave?

[@michaelroach4219]

@@harmvb3660 yes.

[@michaelroach4219]

@@harmvb3660 I know very little about the euphomium.Could you give me some information on it ?

[@kennyadvocat]

Very interesting sound here. 😮

[@tawhneebaby]

perhaps move the recording device back and central, because I'm only hearing flute percussive sounds and breath. I know there is more there...

[@iptych]

Yes, it was made ad hoc with an ipad propped on a chair with no external mic - by no means ideal. In fact, I'm amazed you can hear anything at all!

[@tawhneebaby]

Dominy Clements which is totally fine. I just suggest that in the future the "ipad on a chair sound system" be more central instead of off to one side...just a suggestion...

[@Alex-if8gh]

This reminds me of playing jingle bells with my friend he plays the flute and I play the clarinet

[@lucashallancia3325]

I watched a video of the least common instruments this was on there but I never thought it was that good

[@amj.composer]

I play contrabass clarinet for my college band, it's a lot of fun

[@tommyblack7998]

Drainpipe concerto. Gerard Hoffnung would have appreciated this.

[@iptych]

Indeed - I would love to duet with that MASSIVE tuba of his.

[@eriksnogenius]

I love it!

[@sassycourt25]

I want to learn one of these they look so fun

[@iptych]

…in the same way a baby tiger looks fun. 😉

[@verbdoing9824]

Very cool

[@saxophonistrule5746]

I love it

[@marije179]

Only halfway the video did I notice their mouths and did I realize the flute is left and the clarinet is right... Which I didn't assume cuz of the materials. But yeah I was wondering why a subcontrabass intrument looked more massive than a contrabass intrument lol

[@CL-yb9jn]

Goin muddin’

[@iptych]

"Mud, mud, glorious mud, Nothing quite like it for cooling the blood..."

[@ManuCel_]

Ah yes. The useful part of the orchestra. So useful.

[@iptych]

You'll miss us when we're gone...

[@ManuCel_]

@@iptych oh dear, don't *fill* that way. You may not be the most important but you're awesome anyway

[@iptych]

@@ManuCel_ It's ok - always with good humour. The subcontra certainly works best in 'consort' ensemble with other flutes and you don't see contrabass clarinets in many orchestras either - too rare!

[@aaaaaaaaaaaa269]

super bass

[@feadogmhor5170]

And now a piccolo flute/ piccolo clarinet version please! Also for some reason I find it utterly confusing that the flute is black and the clarinet is silver 😅

[@iptych]

Sadist. 😏

[@juandelavega192]

is that a bloody pvc pipe?

[@iptych]

Mr Regatta Yes indeed sir, ordinary drainpipes. Excellent low resonance qualities.

[@juandelavega192]

i don't know if you're being ironic or not

[@iptych]

No indeed, less refinement, but lots of oomph.

[@juandelavega192]

Ok that's interesting. i don't actually understand what you mean but i guess this is actually PVC so that's interesting.

[@bassplayer1966]

Wow!!

[@Sagefox455yt]

keys are the loudest thing in this vid

[@fredphipps9452]

Fab!

[@iptych]

Thanks!

[@michaelchrist5356]

I love key noise,having played the paperclip contra in college.at the same time I can almost recognize this song.like help ?

[@bylokonnor]

You should form a trio with Richard Bobo's gigarackett or his subcontrabassoon.

[@iptych]

If it’s not a Shagbut or a Minikin then I’m not interested. 😏

[@JudgementDragon]

Id love to hear this on a normal flute and clarinet so i could actually hear what its supposed to sound like

[@iptych]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJeVfZidp8-MhMksi=WYF14ZO-9B5-AI92

[@lomobster]

Nice video, would be cool if you could play them separately so they are more distinguishable though.

[@iptych]

Should have ditched the iPad and booked IRCAM.

[@matthewadkins9097]

Where can I get this sheet music

[@iptych]

It's available here: webshop.donemus.com/action/front/sheetmusic/17797

[@54bitcorolla96]

What model clarinet is that

[@iptych]

Leblanc

[@edp9863]

when the articulation and keys are louder than the instrument you know its time to stop

[@iptych]

Your aversion to the grotesque speaks volumes.

[@mya5555]

*clears throat*

[@cringenaenaebaby3483]

This would be a lot better if the players had individual mics instead of one to play with. It just ruins the subcontrabass flute

[@iptych]

Yes, sorry about that. It was just an iPad as that was all we had at the time.

[@rodineidossantos3659]

Para que serve isso? Música? Quem ouve isso?

[@iptych]

então nós simplesmente não fazemos nada?

[@thatelectropig8678]

How exactly did you get a subcontrabass flute?

[@iptych]

When I started the maker, Jelle Hogenhuis, had only made a prototype which was pretty much made with bent wires, chewing-gum and knotted string. I was playing with the Dutch Flute Orchestra at the time and, despite all the difficulties, I loved the experience of playing bass lines. I ordered an instrument from Jelle and I think it was a year or so before it was delivered, number 007, so an early example (it has since has a new lipplate and a headjoint rebuild). Alas, Jelle has since died, so these will only be available second-hand (if you are very lucky). There are other makers of course, but these always tended to be more expensive, using more metals rather than plastic drainpipes etc. Expect to have to order in advance and wait patiently while your subcontra is being built!

[@chrisblack2625]

For some reason this reminds me of dinosaurs. I guess it is "extinct" lol

[@thotumn2896]

Chris Black SAME

[@iptych]

No, it’s THE FUTURE.

[@adrianrobledo8501]

Wow

[@sonicspring6448]

A piece with some long notes would have been a better demo than just jumping around all the time. Fascinating, though, apart from that.

[@iptych]

A bit more variety here kzbin.info/www/bejne/qabOaXqOZZmdias

[@xavierdumontperso]

They found my old washing machine !

[@iptych]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYKUkIR4mdNon9k

[@Makenza_]

It's weird to see a silver-colored clarinet and black-colored flute

[@iptych]

Enter the Matrix…

[@-Starza-offical.]

Click click click IS ALL I HEAR THAT FLUTES KEYS IS TOOOOOOO LOUD.

[@iptych]

What, you don’t like percussion? ;-)

[@-Starza-offical.]

@@iptych nah I’m a low brass player

[@Br.ajjoujjenberry]

Wub wub wub

[@jazzcabbage9071]

the flute ruins it for me because this song has many aggressive attacks but they just sound like air and not music. This sound is like somebody vomited on a page especially sound worst with two instruments that weren't many to have a duet

[@iptych]

nexus prime Well observed. The original was for standard flute and clarinet - we did this just for fun, and the recording is the mic on an iPad so quality is alas at a minimum.

[@jazzcabbage9071]

Dominy Clements ok I didn't mean to belittle the preformance

[@juanco3461]

El vecino haciendo obras

[@iptych]

¡Ja, de hecho, y el vecino gana más también!

[@ender10man]

sub contrabass sax

[@jdauph039]

I dont hear notes I hear rumbling

[@chasmonaghan521]

To fully appreciate, you need an eardrum with the sensitivity of water surface tension….

[@iptych]

Evolution will show the way...

[@shritankhammamkar]

would be a funny marching instrument

[@iptych]

Peruvian, presumably…

[@m0rk970]

Aw yes, the low flute that claims to be an instrument but only sounds like air when played

[@iptych]

Ah yes, but I have a concert in Paris this Sunday with that very same low flute. The sound of air can get you places (Japanese flute technique is founded on it).

[@FullerKirkpatrick]

Can barely hear over the keys it’s like a bunch of middle school percussionists

[@iptych]

Noted, but it was just recorded ad hoc on an old iPad leant on a chair. I for one am amazed it came out at all!

[@Arancini25]

Australia

[@theresacarmen9847]

I see why these instruments don't often solo.

[@iptych]

I know - finding someting written for it is almost impossible! ;-)

[@michaelroach4219]

I would live to hear them solo.

[@alexanderros633]

Keys make more sound than the flutes

[@leherby6215]

They stole each other's usual color schemes???

[@iptych]

It’s strict bass-wind uniform, and hides the stains.

[@martinappold9291]

Schönes Beispiel dafür, dass man nicht alles, was man machen kann auch machen sollte oder machen muss... 🤫

[@javier220577]

I think there is a reason why they are extinct....

[@darreniii5079]

this video just showed why these instruments should become extinct

[@oakerii]

Darren iii not the contra basssss

[@PrinceSwaggy]

Darren iii LOL

[@grugg3108]

Subcontrabass flute is just too much

[@michaelroach4219]

No.They are amazing.

[@fredyoder5197]

Dinosaur music

[@iptych]

Let’s hope it also lasts for a few million years!

[@gustavomontoya6211]

No oigo ni michi de un trozo de musica

[@iptych]

Cierto, no es chopin…

[@a.s.vanhoose1545]

Unlistenable

[@iptych]

*single gunshot

[@marcosviniciusteixeira885]

This flute is so ugly

[@iptych]

Ugly like the Parthenon - compelling to look at, but when the wind whips around those columns…