Klarinet Archive - Posting 000974.txt from 1997/10

From: <chr@-----.de>
Subj: Bass Clarinet double octave (register) keys
Date: Sat, 25 Oct 1997 01:28:40 -0400

Bill Hauismann wrote:
>I find that indeed they DID make bass clarinets with two octave
>keys: one to use through about E, and the other to go beyond. It is easy
>to see why this system never won any prizes for ergonomic design! Modern
>instruments make this switch automatically, freeing bass clarinet players
>from the onerous task of growing two left thumbs.

The past tense is not appropriate here; a large number of professional
players of bass clarinets of the Oehler (German) system actually prefer
and insist upon double register keys. The main reason seems to be the
added flexibility of choosing the point to switch keys and not having
this dictated. Since the register key switch on any bass clarinet creates
a discernable tone color change, many players prefer to determine when
they switch, if at all, on a case by case basis within the context of the
music. The switch is limited, however, to at most a 4th between c-sharp''
and f-sharp''. Also I might add that my Fritz Wurlitzer bass has never
needed the register mechanism adjusted in the ten years I've had it,
despite constant use. Most instrument builders offer both options

A colleague recently switched to an opera orchestra in northern Germany
where she was provided a top-line Wurlitzer bass owned by the theater. It
had a single register key mechanism. She immediately had it changed to a
double mechanism. BTW she has, as do I, only one left thumb :)

Don Christensen

PS Somebody on the list asked for info on obtaining Wurlitzer clarinets.
Since I cannot find the letter, I will answer here. For used sets check
"Das Orchester" or "Neue Musik Zeitung" wherein there are offers every
month. For new contact Wurlitzer:
Wurlitzer
Rueckertstr. 20
Neustadt / Aisch
Tel.: +49-9161-2625

Whereas there used to be a waiting list of over two years for a set of
clarinets, the market has diversified since German reunification to the
point that the waiting time is only a few weeks. Several of Wurlitzer's
master craftsmen have left the company in recent years and established
their own highly respected businesses, often with noticeably better
price/value ratios. Not to be forgotten is the fact that reunification
has brought the traditional musical instrument manufacturing area of
Markneukirchen and environs into the market, and they have developed very
high quality. This is, after all, where Wurlitzer and most other
instrument makers in West Germany came from after WWII.