Klarinet Archive - Posting 000586.txt from 1998/07

From: <kbowman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Physics of the clarinet (& alternate keys)
Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1998 11:38:15 -0400

Matt C. Palasik Wrote:
> i have an interesting question. On all the clarinets i have seen the
> tone hole for the sliver key is not lined up equally with the tone hole
> for the side key so the sliver key fingering is slightly sharper then
> the side key fingering. why not just have both one holes in the same4
> line so that the produce an equally tuned note?

Is is possible that the placement of the side Eb/Bb tone hole also
takes the tuning of the side/chromatic F# (chalemeux) into consideration?

Regarding alternate fingerings, especially the use of the LH sliver/
banana key: I learned to use the sliver key Eb/Bb only after having
studied the clarinet for several years. I knew of the fingering but
did not generally use it until I started studying with a particular
clarinetest that referred to this fingering as the "standard" fingering
and to the side fingering as the "trill" fingering. Obviously, there
are situations that make the "standard" (or sliver key) fingering
impractical (e.g. Ab to Bb) but for all other situations, I use the
"standard" fingering. Someone referred to minimizing the motion to
one hand when possible - I agree with this technique completely.
It takes a LOT of practice to completely eliminate the "blips" that
can occur when coordinating both hands - especially when your right
hand is only involved in a single note in a run which could be done
entirely in the left.
I was also taught (by the same clarinetist mentioned above) to play
the chromatic sequence B-C-C# (above the break) L-R-L when ascending
and R-L-R descending (C#-C-B). Was this just a ploy to get me to use
the alternate fingerings? (If it was, it worked!) Has anyone else
been taught to do this?

Also - a note on tuning: I find the slightly different tuning of the
different Eb/Bb fingerings useful. The "equal temperment" with witch
we are all accustomed is really a compromise and is not entirely
suitable for all keys. The slightly sharp sliver key fingering just
sounds better in tune when playing in some keys (especially those
keys that are farthest from Bb/Eb/Ab - and especially when playing
with strings). I also notice a slight difference in "coloration" or
resonance between the alternate fingerings - in particular the sliver
key fingering seems clearer. This phenomenon is similar to the difference
between the reg.key./A fingering for throat Bb and the side fingering.
The side fingering is preferred because of its clear tone and intonation
but is not always convenient to reach (and sometimes impossible).

Observations of a clarinet enthusiast.

Kevin Bowman
Clarinet & Saxophone Instructor
Rochester Conservatory of Music, Rochester, MI

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