Klarinet Archive - Posting 000392.txt from 1998/08

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: Articulated G#
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1998 23:43:01 -0400

On Thu, 13 Aug 1998, Lee Hickling wrote:

> This thread got me thinking ... the articulated G# on saxophones is one
> of the few clear advantages the sax has over the clarinet in terms of
> mechanism. Otherwise, they are quite lacking in alternate fingerings,
> compared to the Boehm system and its offspring. Am I correct in thinking
> that the mechanism Adolphe Sax devised is still in use? If so, why
> hasn't the sax evolved as the clarinet has?

The saxophone is an invented instrument as opposed to an evolved one.
There have been a few refinements to the fingering system since Sax's
original design, but the basic principles remain the same. There have
also been some attempts at altering the fingering system which have been
given up as impractical. One very interesting one was the LeBlanc Paris
system saxophone of the 1960's. It had quite a few alternate fingerings,
some of them quite useful. The problem was that the mechanism was a
nightmare to keep in adjustment. When the instrument came out of the
shop, it was great for a few days. After that, it tended to be very
temperamental. A saxophonist had to carry a complete set of tools in the
case and be prepared to do some quick adjustments at any moment.

Essentially, the saxophone doesn't have many alternate fingerings because
they aren't really needed. And, a superior saxophonist can get around on
the instrument quite well, as well as any clarinetist. If anyone doubts
that, just listen to John Coltrane.

Ed Lacy
el2@-----.edu

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