Klarinet Archive - Posting 001176.txt from 1997/10

From: Hekan Lundberg <hakan@-----.net>
Subj: New keys and sub-contra-bass
Date: Sun, 26 Oct 1997 17:13:15 -0500

I am experimenting with a new type of "key-design" and have to ask if
there is anybody who is interested. It will take a couple of years
before it is fully constructed, and then I intend to patent the idea. It
will be a totaly new whay of mechanism. The fingering can remain the
same if one would like to, but one could by this mechanism apply what
ever fingering system there is to musical instruments. If you play the
flute but would like to switch to clarinet one could with this mechanism
easily do this and apply the flute fingerings to the clarinet.
Everything that is possible w. todays mechanisms and much more will be
possible - always easy trills etc. The main "problem" is the esthetical
apperance of this system, but I have to work that out later. This idea
would work best with bass-woodwinds.

I also have a wild idea about starting to make
octo-contra-bass-clarinets (it's on the drawingboard) of wood - S shaped
design. I am at least going to make one for myself (but it will ofcourse
take a couple of years to finish. I guess I could start and make more if
there would be an interest. I would guess an instrument in Rosewood,
Imbuya, Cherry, or Maple and silver would be about $35000-$40000 and up
and take 3-5 year to make (If I don't get a lot of response of people
who would like to have sub-contras - then I could for sure do it full
time). I have to say that this instrument will only have a range to low
E or Eb - lower notes will not be possibly to hear Eb being 19.445Hz and
E 20.602Hz (if tuned A 440Hz). There is in fact music written for this
instrument, and deep organ music could be played with a more "alive"
tone.

Hekan Lundberg