Klarinet Archive - Posting 000525.txt from 1996/09

From: Gary Van Cott <Gary_VanCott@-----.COM>
Subj: Re Bb
Date: Tue, 24 Sep 1996 13:12:23 -0400

I don't think playing a Bb with a low Eb extension would work very well.
For me, that middle line B is one of the worst notes in the instrument. It
is fine if you have a chance to "sit" on it, but in rapid passages I find
it is the hardest note to get out. Someone pointed out a few months ago
that this was because the register key (hole) was really in the wrong place
for this note.

Try playing it using your right thumb on the third right side trill key
instead of the register key. It sounds much better. I suspect the problem
would be worse for note one half step lower.

This raises another question. Why does there appear to be so little effort
to improve the current layout of the clarinet? Is the Rossi clarinet an
exception?

Gary

Gary_VanCott@-----.com
Las Vegas, NV