Klarinet Archive - Posting 000047.txt from 1997/10

From: Ken Bryson <kbryson@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Assembling the clarinet
Date: Thu, 2 Oct 1997 14:01:22 -0400

Scott,

I haven't seen anyone describe the method I was taught for assembling
the clarinet, so I'll give it a shot. Wish I could just draw you a
picture!

Grip lower section of clarinet in your left hand with the long bar of
the lower section in the "V" between your thumb and index finger, and
the bottom joint of the section toward the heel of your hand.

Grip the bell of the clarinet in your right hand.

Twist to assemble.

Continue holding the lower section in your left hand.

With your right hand, grip the upper section of the clarinet as
follows: clarinet section rests in the palm of your hand with the thumb
hole down, approximately in the "V" between your thumb and index finger,
and the center joint to the left. Curve your fingers over the long side
keys and bar, and depress the rings over the tone holes in the upper
section. (This raises the bridge key over the middle joint to avoid
collision while assembling.) I find this gives a very secure grip with
no danger of damaging the keys.

Gently twist the two sections together, being careful to keep the rings
depressed with the fingers of your right hand, and line up the bridge
mechanism.

Continue holding the clarinet in your right hand. With your left hand,
twist the barrell onto the upper section and then the mouthpiece onto
the barrell

Scott M. Gerhardt wrote:
>
> Any suggestions on how to assemble the clarinet "safely?" Particularly while
> attaching the top joint to the lower joint, I continue to worry about bending
> the keys; there seems to be no place to get a secure grip.
>
> TIA,
>
> --
> Scott M. Gerhardt
> <gerhardt@-----.com>
> 5F 55 E8 3E AA 08 68 9A 58 CA 7C B1 B4 BE 24 B6