Basset recorder – why bass clef?

[Maxwell Rankin]

I just bought a plastic basset recorder, and the makers sensibly include a fingering chart in both bass and treble clef. That begs the question, why bother with bass clef for the basset, when its lowest note is only 3 ledger lines below the treble clef? Bass clef needs an 8 above the clef sign to write readable basset music. Is the bass clef just historical? I can see it may make sense if you have a great bass or contrabass – but I wonder how many of us own one of those.

Thanks, Max

[Karen Hytten]

Hi Max,

It’s very exciting to you have recently bought a basset! Basset is my absolute favourite recorder!

I definitely do play a lot of music written in treble clef on my basset (basically anything I play on alto). But think there are a few benefits to being able to play bass clef on your basset.

Firstly, there are a lot less ledger lines to read that if basset music was written in treble clef. Secondly, if you are part of an ensemble you can automatically play a wealth of chorale music without having to re-write the bass part into treble clef. Thirdly, you can play Bach’s unaccompanied cello suites which sound AMAZING on basset (and any other cello music you might like to try). And finally, if you do get an opportunity to play great bass or contrabass you are ready to go! I was very lucky to have the opportunity to play a contrabass at a workshop which was an incredible experience.

There are actually more greatbasses and contrabasses around then I previously realised (there were actually four contrabasses at the workshop I mentioned). And somehow a great bass recently found its way into my recorder family!

I hope you enjoy your basset!

Karen.

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