Klarinet Archive - Posting 001227.txt from 1997/09

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.edu>
Subj: RE: left-handed clarinet
Date: Sat, 27 Sep 1997 12:10:25 -0400

> From: MX%"klarinet@-----.34
> Subj: left-handed clarinet

> I have an unusual question. Has a left-handed clarinet ever been
> made? I know someone who is seriously interested in obtaining
> one, regardless of whether it's Albert, Mueller, or Boehm system.
> By "left-handed" I mean that the left hand would be on the
> bottom. This would be for a person who plays a Balkan bagpipe
> with left hand lower. I know, I know -- he should learn to play
> the normal way -- but the request was made in all seriousness to
> me, and I promised to pass it on to the list.
>
> I think it's an interesting question, anyway. Many keyless folk
> instruments, e.g., the pennywhistle, are built completely
> symmetrical, so that either hand can be on top.
>
> --Doug

Absolutely fascinating question. I've pondered it, and pondered it.
Came up with three issues:

1) economics from the manufacturer' viewpoint
2) cost to user
3) need

As for (1), if I were president of Buffet, this would be the very
last thing into which I sunk a nickel. If one ever sold any of them
(and I doubt that this would happen frequently), one could never
recover the cost of development and manufacture. The production
line now in effect would have to be completely revamped to make
a left-handed instrument and no one is going to do that.

As for (2), because it is such a speciality item, I suspect that
it would cost AT LEAST 100% more than a right-handed instrument.
It is easy to ask for a specialty instrument as long as the
economic impact is not ferocious. But this one is.

As for (3), it is hard for me to understand the need, though for
a left-handed person that might very well be different. But I
know of no l.h. saxophones, bassoon, flutes, oboes, etc.

Guitars yes. Violins yes. Generally the string instruments are
cheaper because there is no significant engineerig cost involved.
But did you ever see a l.h. violinist in a symphony orchestra. He
or she would have to sit by themselves (or with another l.h.
player and the bowings would be visually disturbing). Same thing
for violas, celli, and bassi, I presume.

Is there a left-handed trumpet, horn, tuba, etc.?

In the making of a l.h. clarinet there would be two significant
engineering issues: (1) keep the holes where they are but
alter the fingering system and the key structure to accomodate
a l.h. player, or (2) redesign the entire instrumnet with all new
(and opposite side) key placements. Have you any idea what this
option would cost??

Fascinating question. I'm still dizzy with it.

>
> --------------------------
> Doug Sears dsears@-----.org/~dsears
>
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Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
Rosanne Leeson, Los Altos, California
leeson@-----.edu
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