Klarinet Archive - Posting 000100.txt from 1997/02

From: Jrykorten@-----.com
Subj: Re: wrong clarinet
Date: Tue, 4 Feb 1997 11:08:04 -0500

On Feb 3rd Frank Garcia asks:

>David Niethamer uses the fingering that I use for the Carmen passage. I do
>not know if the fingering works differently on the A, because, like David,
>I haven't come across the need to use that fingering on the A.

>I wish to stray off the subject a little and ask why manufacturers do not
>make clarinets with articulated G# keys any more? Or if they do, why is it
>not commonplace? It seems to work so nicely on the saxophone, why not the
>clarinet?

>Frank Garcia

I can say from recent experience trying some clarinets that have articuated
G# to stay away! This is too much keywork for what you get in return. A tone
hole is cut through the lower tenon of the upper joint and the coupling
mechanism looks "real tender".

The things (A clarinets in this case) played like an asthmatic goose besides.

In my opinion the extra keywork is begging to go out of adjustment that much
more frequently and the extra holes can only degrade the sound.

Best to suffer and try to improve the fingers.

Jerry Korten
NYC