Klarinet Archive - Posting 000552.txt from 1997/11

From: njs5@-----.uk (Nick Shackleton)
Subj: Re: Bis Key add on
Date: Fri, 14 Nov 1997 09:41:41 -0500

By strange coincidence I was playing a Boosey and Hawkes model 1010 from the
early 1930's last night and looking at the utility of that key. It was
standard on those instruments (not an add-on) and would have been well known
in England.
Nick
>I think this must be the extra touchpiece attached to the topjoint ring
>key which has been mentioned before - I have one on my B flat, which
>I hardly ever use.
>Roger Shilcock
>
>
>On Fri, 14 Nov 1997, Richard Lahrson wrote:
>
>> Date: Fri, 14 Nov 1997 04:24:08 +0000 (GMT)
>> From: Richard Lahrson <tripspud@-----.net>
>> Reply-To: klarinet@-----.us
>> To: "'klarinet@-----.us>
>> Subject: Bis Key add on
>>
>> In an old ('92?) Jack Spratt Reed Player's Handbook there's an
>> item called a Bis Key. With the clarinet in playing position it
>> looks like it is attached right onto the covered tonehole right
>> below the left hand index finger which operates it by shifting
>> the left hand index finger slightly to the right. I'll quote:
>> "Fingerings heretofore practically impossible are made easy
>> with the new 'Bis Key' attachment. (See manuscript below)."
>> One of the examples runs from middle C to to Eb to C to B to Eb
>> to C to Eb to D to Eb. I'll quote again:
>> "Boehm System Clarinets require two or three fingers to produce
>> B flat. Only one finger is necessary with the new "Bis Key".
>> A child can attach the "Bis Key" to a regular clarinet with
>> a small screw driver. Also creates a new fingering for high
>> F sharp."
>> The cost is listed as $18.00. (Remember my catolog is older.)
>>
>> Anyone on the klarinet list ever use one of these? I have this
>> older catolog because I bought a device that measures bore sizes.
>> Though most items in the catolog are for serious double reed work,
>> there are some interesting things for the clarinet that I've not
>> seen elsewhere.
>> Is Jack Spratt still around and in business? Web page?
>> Rich Lahrson
>> tripspud@-----.net
>>
>>
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