Klarinet Archive - Posting 000406.txt from 1997/12

From: Craig Ruff <cruff@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Left hand Ab/Eb keys
Date: Tue, 9 Dec 1997 09:09:46 -0500

On Mon, Dec 08, 1997 at 12:43:12PM -0500, SCM9348 wrote:
> In light of the topic with buying clarinets with a left hand Ab/Eb key, is
> this particular key a danger to technique?

Interestingly enough, the opposite problem exists on my LeBlanc contrabass
clarinet. The side trill/alternate keys for the right hand are missing.
Only the side Eb alternate is present. While I have not used the upper
two side trills much, the side F# is very useful, and I find that I miss
it on the contra. After I play it enough, I will remember that it isn't
there. There is also a forked Eb available (T+xox|ooo), so the side Eb
could have been left off too, I guess.

So, yes, you could get dependent on the presence of the left hand Ab/Eb.
However I say use it if it will make things easier. You'll adapt to when
the key isn't there.