Pitch Range
Plays A3 to B6, fully chromatic
- C Major basic scale of 23 notes (3 1/8 octaves)
- 39 total notes when counting all sharps and flats
This extended range C triple differs from our normal C triple in having two additional toneholes on the underside, both covered by the right thumb. Thus, the four highest notes (A
6, A6, B6, and B6) are played by uncovering these two bottom toneholes. Serious and experienced players will find the extra range rewarding.
Are the Extended Range triples more difficult to play than a standard triple?
The 2 extended range holes in the 3rd chamber are placed such that the thumb naturally covers them when the fingers (including the thumb) move to the 3rd chamber. So, in that sense, the presence of these two ER holes doesn’t add difficulty. The only “difficulty” of the ER holes themselves comes when you begin to uncover those holes to access the additional notes. It will take a little getting used to, as the thumb learns how to uncover 1 then 2 of the holes. But, the point is that, if you (especially early on when just beginning to play an ocarina) find it too challenging to utilize the ER holes, then you don’t have to uncover them, and your thumb will naturally cover them with little to no additional effort when jumping to the 3rd chamber. But, then, those ER holes are there for the day when you want to tackle them.
Now, I can also say this… if you think that 2 ER holes is going to be beyond your reach, then we could make you an Extended Range with only 1 ER hole.
The ER holes on our Extended Range models are really just a pair of "slide-cover" holes quite like the 2 slide-cover holes covered by the index finger in the 2nd chamber. Those take a little practice to get used to as well.
Basic scale
Approximate Size and Weight
Length: 20 cm (7.9 in.) Width: 17.5 cm (6.9 in.) Thickness: 6.4 cm (2.5 in.)
Weight: 910 gm (2 lb)
Purple Clay
All our purple clay instruments are unglazed. This is a hand-made product, so weight will vary somewhat from instrument to instrument.
Before purchasing, please read more about purple clay in About Song Wei and His Products.
Purchase includes...
- Adjustable length neck cord (shown in photographs)
- Black padded carrying case
- Easy-to-follow downloadable fingering chart
Download Bass Triple Ext Range Key of C fingering chart (pdf)
Musical staff position as well as tonehole image for each note. Three pages, file size 1.11 MB.
Product code: 50BS03-XC
