Klarinet Archive - Posting 000057.txt from 1995/07

From: Donald Yungkurth <DYungkurth@-----.COM>
Subj: Articulated G#
Date: Fri, 7 Jul 1995 16:40:36 -0400

Edwin Lacy writes:

"why does the G# hole on an instrument with an articulated G# key have to be
in a different place than a closed G#?"

In "The Clarinet", by F. Geoffrey Rendall, the implication is that the normal
positioning of the hole for g# above top line f is incorrect. He states,
".... articulated g# ..... facilitates some passages in sharp keys and makes
possible perfect trills of b-c'# and f''#-g''#; and it also allows the
c'#/g''# hole to be located in its correct position and in line with the
finger holes. For this purpose the body is made in one piece or,
alternatively, with a long tenon. ..... The mechanism, of which there are
many forms, is just short of absolute reliability, and one of the best
fingerings for f''' is removed."

Note that he says, "allows" the hole to be placed in its correct position,
not that it *requires* it to be placed differently. This implies that the
standard G# does not allow correct hole placement.

For me, this states the problem, but doesn't really explain why it is a
problem. I realize that a one piece body has been used for A/Bb clarinets as
it is for the Eb, and assumed that this is probably not commonly done because
of cost or scarcity of wood of the appropriate size. I've been under the
impression that the G# hole is placed slightly higher on the instrument than
the ideal position, simply because the two-section body doesn't allow proper
placement. If a long tenon can be used with articulated G# to allow
placement of the hole in the correct position, why can't the same technique
be used for correct hole placement with the standard G#?

While Rendall doesn't specify, I believe I've read that the lost f'''
fingering is the so-called "long" high f, using thumb hole, register key and
G# key with all six finger holes covered.

This obviously doesn't answer the original question and seems to stir up some
others, but maybe narrows what we are trying to find out. Hopefully it will
provide additional fuel and perhaps trigger insight from someone else.

Don Yungkurth (DYungkurth@-----.com)