Klarinet Archive - Posting 000103.txt from 1997/10

From: Dee Hays <deerich@-----.net>
Subj: Re: Assembling the clarinet
Date: Fri, 3 Oct 1997 20:55:42 -0400

Ken Bryson wrote:

> 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

I have been studying your reply for several days now. I cannot say that it is
wrong but it appears to me that this puts the long rods on the lower joint at a
great risk of being bent if not done perfectly. Similarly if the grip on the upper
joint is not perfect, there is a risk of twisting the side keys enough to either
bend them or twist the posts.

Did you read my reply to Scott? If not let me know and I can repost. That way you
can study it and see if perhaps you might like it better. I think it is a little
more "forgiving" of errors on the part of the person assembling the clarinet.

Dee Hays
Canton, SD
deerich@-----.net