Klarinet Archive - Posting 000698.txt from 2001/10

From: "Bill Edinger" <wde2@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Patricola Ebs
Date: Sun, 21 Oct 2001 18:59:59 -0400

One notable aspect of Patricola's Eb design is that the keys aren't just
scaled-down Bb keys, they seemed to me to be more carefully designed and
thought out than Buffet's or Yamaha's, for example. That is, they
accomodate larger (or even non-small) hands better. The most difficult
thing I've found about using an Eb is the very common problem of the sliver
keys getting in the way, and, as I understand from this list and elsewhere,
removing the left-hand sliver key and truncating the RH one is a very common
remedy. It was an absolute necessity for me. But when I tried out a
Patricola Eb at the West Coast Clarinet Congress in Fresno last summer,
alongside the other makes on display, I found that Patricola has
significantly narrowed those keys and properly placed them so that I had no
trouble with them. Too bad I found that out too late, after I had already
bought another make. This is the kind of thoughtfulness I like to see (and
kudos goes to Leblanc for their improvements on the Opus keys, too).
Now if only I could just play the darned thing half-way decently.

Bill Edinger

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