Klarinet Archive - Posting 000665.txt from 1998/07

From: Anne Bell <bell@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Drilling a vent in the bell
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 10:51:11 -0400

Ed Maurey wrote: >On other C clarinets
>that are in tune I use a standard Bb/A bell with a 5/16" hole drilled
>1 1/4" from the top. It's a real improvement for the bottom three notes
>in both registers. That's [count them] a six note improvement.
>Now, I ask you, my fellow Sneezyists, why don't clarinet manufactuers
>put longer bells on their Bb/A instruments with appropriate vent holes?
>I know damned well you'd love the results?
>In passing, perhaps some of us old farts remember playing "Full
>Boehms". That low Eb really helped the middle B. Bottom notes love
>venting.

Stephen Fox does put vents in his bells- for some models at least. He
indicated that it helped for some instruments more than for others. He
also didn't discourage drilling as an experiment as "holes can be filled."
Even inexpensive oboes without the bell keys have the vents in the bell.
What I found particularly interesting was that Eric Hoeprich's (sp?) basset
clarinet had several holes drilled in the bell. I believe it was a
reproduction based on the picture that Pamela Poulin found in a Stadler
concert program.
For those interested in some historical background on the Mozart and
clarinet in general I just finished reading Colin Lawson's book _Mozart
Clarinet Concerto_ and found it very interesting.
Now for a question. I heard the advice that recorder tutors were a good
source of early performance practice information. What I didn't write down
was which authors were recommended. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Anne Bell
bell@-----.net

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