Klarinet Archive - Posting 000517.txt from 2000/09

From: Gary Truesdail <gir@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] New vs. old
Date: Sun, 17 Sep 2000 00:36:03 -0400

Don't forget, there may be more to the reason the wrap around octave key was
introduced. If you look in the bore of these instruments you will notice the
vent tube does not extend into the air column but ends flush with the wood.
Could it be possible this was a theoretical improvement other than avoiding a
water problem, such as improved intonation or response in a certain register
or with specific notes?
What could it have been? I have an old clarinet with the familiar Buffet
logo on the wood that has this type octave key. It was passed down through 3
or 4 other younger players after I used it in school and was finally returned
to me about 20 years later. It does not have a serial number that I can
find. Does anyone have any idea when it could have been made?

Daniel Leeson wrote:

> The wrap around octave key was just such a change. I don't know who did
> it first, but within a year of its appearance, two different
> manufacturers made their products that way, despite the fact that it
> never materially improved the instrument. The theory was that the
> register mechanism would not get filled up with water if it were to be
> on top of the clarinet. In practice is was a non-problem. So go find a
> wrap around octave key today.
>

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