Klarinet Archive - Posting 000218.txt from 1994/03

From: Jordan Selburn <jselburn@-----.COM>
Subj: Clarinet construction (was Re: Stuffy notes)
Date: Tue, 15 Mar 1994 14:15:00 -0500

Cary Karp writes:
>Early clarinets don't have the C#/G# key at all and have separate right
>and left hand joints. However, the first clarinets to use that key do,
>indeed, dispense with the middle tenon and socket to allow for the key's
>correct placement.

What are the advantages to having separate upper and lower joints? I guess
that we now have the option to change the tuning by pulling them apart, but
do many people take advantage of that? It just seems that the mechanics of
the instrument could be significantly simpler by making a one-piece body.
Also note that good pieces of wood of sufficient length are available for
bass clarinets, so why not sopranos?

Jordan