Klarinet Archive - Posting 000274.txt from 1996/03

From: "Daniel A. Paprocki" <dap@-----.US>
Subj: Re: D clarinet
Date: Sun, 10 Mar 1996 13:18:54 -0500

John,
There are many pieces written for D Clarinet. For example: R.
Strauss, Till Eulenspiegl; parts of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring; Four
concertos by Molter; the Eb part to Daphnes et Chloe Suite II is easier on
D clarinet. I'm sure there are more.
If your not fluent on Eb you should have a pro check out the D
clarinet for you. There could be some big time tuning problems that you
might not catch till after you buy it.
I sure wish I had the bucks to get all these C and D clarinets.
Unless your a full time in an orchestra, it's hard to justify another
(after having 2 Bbs, A, Eb, Bass, a couple old clarinets, recorders, etc)
high priced clarinet that would be used often and would have to be kept in
top shape mechanically (ie. a Brannen or Clark overhaul).
You mentioned that you have large hands. I'm 6'2", have hands as
large as any and still can get around on my Eb fine - but there are tricks.
I have corked shut the left hand chromatic Eb/Bb hole (Bill Brannen did
this for me and said that John Yeh did this). Tim Clark then removed that
key, posts, and spring. He put on other posts, cut the heads off, and
filed them flush with the body. I can always uncork the hole and add the
key if I want to.
The other problem spots for me and my Eb are the throat G# and
chromatic B/F#. The G# key is too low and was throwing my 1st finger out
of place to hit it. I added some cork onto the key to make it easier to
hit without too much movement. The right hand chromatic B/F# was also in
the way. Tim cut the finger part of the key in half, thined it and added a
button that is positioned close to the rod for the ring keys and between
the 2nd and 3rd rings. This works fine for me.

Size is in the mind.
Where there's a will there's a way

Dan

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Daniel A. Paprocki
dap@-----.us

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