Klarinet Archive - Posting 000515.txt from 1998/02

From: George Kidder <gkidder@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: LH Eb/Bb key
Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 09:47:19 -0500

>Date: Tue, 10 Feb 1998 21:16:58 -0800
>From: Birch <birch@-----.ca>
>Subject: LH Eb/Bb key
>
>I have a question:
>
>Does anyone ever use the left hand Eb/Bb key (between the middle and
>ring fingers)? I have never ever used it on a boehm-system clarinet,
>though it is vital on an Albert. I was wondering if it actually does
>serve a practicle purpose, or whether it was just a leftover remnant of
>the Albert.
>
>- --Birch
>
Yes - all the time. Couldn't do without it!

1) It is smaller, lighter (and therefore faster) and thus more facile for
my aging hands.
2) It indeed is left-handed, so you operate it with the same hand that is
trying to work the adjacent notes. Coordination is better within the same
hand than cross-handed.
3) Most importantly, it is necessary when the right index finger is needed
on the note before or after the Eb/Bb.

Try it - you'll like it.