Klarinet Archive - Posting 000844.txt from 1995/05

From: David Gilman <dagilman@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Articulated C#/G#
Date: Tue, 30 May 1995 15:33:19 -0400

>Dick Williams asks why the articulated C#/G# applicature is not seen more
often,
>because it seems to have only advantages.
>
>There is a disadvantage, too. You lose the possibility of playing Eb/Bb with
>first finger LH and first, second or third RH (aka. 'Long Bb'). This is
>extremely useful in arpeggios in Bb or Eb for example.
>
>Luuk van Buul
>
>vanbuul@-----.nl
>
>
Luuk,

Are you sure about this? I don't see why an articulated c'#/g''# mechanism
would remove the forked e'b/b''b fingerings. As Syd says, they do exist on
saxophone, and people I've known with the articulated mechanism on clarinet
seemed able to use those fingerings. What bothers me about the articulated
mechanism is

1. It removes the closed (altissimo) f''' fingering, which I like
for its stability and intonation. [Some people find it sharp, but it's
perfect on my instrument.]

2. You can't tune the instrument by pulling it in the middle. It
obstructs the c'#/g''# hole through the tenon.

As for reliablilty, some players I've spoken with find it reliable, and some
don't. For now, I'll stick to my standard mechanism. Although a good
f''#-g''# trill would be nice...

Now something I'd consider having added is the seventh ring mechanism for an
in tune forked (first and third fingers) e'b/b''b. That could really help
with certain arpeggios and tremolos.

David Gilman