Octocontralto

Le seul concert où la seule clarinette octocontralto jamais fabriquée a été jouée.
Ce concert a eu lieu le 2 octrobre 2011 à La Couture Boussey (Eure -- France )

[@timothytikker1147]

This clarinet was donated to this museum recently, as was the Bb octocontrabass, from the Leblanc factory collection. Some say that as many as 4 of the Eb octos were made, and that one went to the USA; but material I've recently about this particular one claims this was the only one made...? As I understand it, the tiny clarinet is a non-playing model -- I believe I saw it on eBay a few years ago, as part of a desk display set made for the president of the Leblanc firm (on Mercadier's video demonstrating the complete clarinet, he pretends to play it, accompanied by computer-generated tones!). Anyway: it's clear that the octo clarinet is a magnificent instrument with a tremendous range of potential musical applications! Let's hear more of it!!

[@josephmiele2277]

This was the only one.

[@eog5038]

@@josephmiele2277 yes, I have read since that the idea that three Eb octocontras was made is a misunderstanding. There was only this one made, then a body that was never completed, and the supposed third was actually the Bb octocontra.

[@rashakor]

@@eog5038 From the very record of Leblanc only 3 octos were ever made. This one which is the only working one, another octocontralto which is incomplete and the unique Octocontrabass which never really worked as the lowest 8 notes are subsonic.

[@dylancisneros7880]

is no one goimg to ask what the hell was up with his puppy dog breathing

[@mlami2]

This clarinet is about 6 feet tall.

[@brookelynrhodes1998]

+Michel Lami It's probably more than six feet if it was made to a similar design to the bass clarinet. I agree with ya, it's about 6 ft by the design. I don't play the clarinet but I know people who use to play it and plus I researched it a lot in the past. I'm more of a choir person than a band person anyway.

[@boilerguy27]

It's 7 ft

[@lukasjohnson3489]

This question can be answered using simple math. A low c bass clarinet is around 5 ft (we are straightening the neck and bell). The total length of a Bb contra with a low c extension in non paperclip form is around 10-13 ft in a straight line. It is safe to assume that an octocontralto in non paperclip form would be 15-19.5 ft (19.5 is a bit high and 15 is a bit on the small size). So lets call it 16 ft, then divide that in half thats 8 ft to make it into paperclip form. Then subtract give or take 4 feet for the neck from 16 ft and that takes us down to 12 ft. That makes 6 ft in paperclip form. The actual instrument ends around Cyrille's knees so the floor peg makes it look so huge. So the floor peg elevates the clarinet a about 2 ft off the ground so it looks around 7-8 ft tall, give or take. My math is all based on estimates but it all adds up and makes sense.

[@toastboi5106]

Lukas Johnson that is... simple math?

[@rashakor]

@@lukasjohnson3489 Tube is actually 6.10meters (almost exactly 20ft) long

[@xenerxes2117]

One day...I will persuade someone to make a second OctoContraBass Clarinet and I will play it.

[@Alex-mg6vn]

If there's one person who could do it, it would be Benedikt Eppelsheim.

[@theabclarinet2865]

Jared De Leon

[@instrumentalheadquarters7062]

You sound like me. Lol

[@eog5038]

@@Alex-mg6vn I am told that Eppelsheim was asked, but refused.

[@nandocordeiro5853]

You’re never gonna do that

[@mairielacouture7602]

This clarinet is now in a museum in France at La Couture Boussey. It is safetly kept in a display case. Please come and visit us!

[@existentialopal721]

He looks like an off brand Lewis black

[@Woolley_like_sheep]

*robot fart* ahh *robot fart* *squeek* ahh

[@eog5038]

It's unfortunate that this is only played alone, because those lowest bass notes only really make musical sense when doubled with upper octaves. This was meant to be an ensemble instrument, playing below other bass instruments.

[@nandocordeiro5853]

Contemporary music in a nutshell

[@kalimiro7360]

Mdr c'est horrible

[@timothytikker1147]

Could you please correct the spelling of the title of this video? The way it is now, it's heard to find in a web search. Merci!

[@IAmADerf5585]

I understand only 3 octocontraalto clarinets were made. How did this one escape. I also understand only 1 octocontrabass was made any chance getting that. And what key was the tiny clarinet

[@eog5038]

This one never escaped: it's the Leblanc factory prototype. Recent research has determined that it in fact is the only one ever made.

[@rashakor]

EOG is correct this is the only working model. There is another incomplete prototype in the Leblanc collection and the third model is the non-working Octocontrabass

[@amirking8662]

I would pay a large sum of money to play this beauty.

[@tonyrettig1052]

How tall is that thing??

[@nandocordeiro5853]

B minor

[@Mitchosaure]

OUF!!!...C'truc de ouf'!!..Bravo, les Graves!!!!..Petite pensée pour la défunte usine de Moulins, ville où je suis né..On y fabriquait les clefs des instruments G.Leblanc jusqu'en 1997..Aujourd'hui c'est une HLM..

[@isaaclau2091]

tu est tres fantastique bravo

[@sire-8422]

I don't see the point in these instruments... Just get a saxophone. It's probably cheaper anyway.

[@grugg3108]

Much, much, much lower range

[@eog5038]

The point was to provide ultra-deep bass tones doubling other bass instruments at lower octaves, the way 32' organ pipes do. But the clarinet does this in only half the tubing length of a deep saxophone or a contrabassoon could. And it has better dynamic control in low range than either of those instruments. It's unfortunate that here it's only heard alone: it should be heard with other bass instruments playing one and two octaves above.

[@rashakor]

That thing is the lowest wind instrument in existence that actually works and is transportable. The presenter actually explains that in french; a portable 32ft organ. The sax able to get that low would be unmovable.