Klarinet Archive - Posting 000501.txt from 2001/10

From: "Dee D. Hays" <deehays@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Old clarinet
Date: Mon, 15 Oct 2001 17:53:10 -0400

The key system is probably the Albert system. It could also possibly be a
Mueller system, a direct ancestor of the Albert as they continued to be
produced for decades after the developement of the Albert system. It is
unrelated to the Boehm. In most of the world, the Albert system faded away
but in Germany it grew into the Oehler system that is still used there.

That it is says Boosey puts it between 1850 and 1930. In 1930, Boosey
merged with Hawkes to become Boosey and Hawkes.

The details of how the key cups are shaped etc could be used by an expert
(and I'm not one, just an amateur) to date it more precisely.

Wrap around register keys were quite common in the early 1900s but did occur
in other eras. This feature appeared on both Boehm system and Albert system
instruments.

Does it have any other markings such as HP, LP, High Pitch or Low Pitch on
it? Although not all horns were marked, the existence of such a marking
would also help pin it down in time. If it is so marked, it can be no older
than the mid 1890s but like I said not all horns were marked so the absence
of the mark does not help in determining age.

Dee Hays
Michigan

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Page" <bill.page@-----.com>
Subject: [kl] Old clarinet

> Good morning folks,
>
> In an antique shop just north of the Ill/Wi state line yesterday, I came
> across an old clarinet, standing upright on the floor in the back
room...no
> mouthpiece or second joint, obviously no case. The wood appeared to be
> rosewood, a deep red, but the bell was black. What pads were there were
> (duh) cracked and falling apart.
>
> Clarinet has the name Boosey, with the address in London, on the bell, and
> Boosey with a five-digit serial number on the body. No cork on the tenons,
> just string.
>
> Fingering seemed odd...I've been playing Boehm system all my life (well,
38
> of my 48 years), so I don't know if this is an early version or something
> else. It doesn't have all of the keys one normally sees for left or right
> pinky, and the throat Bb key wraps around to a hole in the front of the
> instrument.
>
> I still had a hard time leaving my $20 in my pocket...
>
> Bill Page
> Kenosha WI
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>

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