Klarinet Archive - Posting 000091.txt from 2002/04

From: CBA <clarinet10001@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: Another type of slide
Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2002 20:04:13 -0500

Glen,

The long Bb/Eb mentioned is the note a half step below
the end of the chromatic scale most modern clarinets
have. The addition of this key to the fingering system
is called "Full Boehm" which sometimes includes the
articulated G#/C# and sometimes includes the fork
Bb/Eb, both of which are NOT standard on most french
clarinets.

The Bb you were mentioning is the Bb ABOVE the one for
this key, as the extra key in *this* case doubles as
the throat Bb pitch, but is still a long fingering in
the clarion register (third line Bb.) The Bb for the
clarion register would come in handy to give more
options for crossing the break (or not having to cross
the break, as the case may be.)

The full Boehm system is more common in Italy, than
other countries (not sure why.) Since there are very
few instances in orchestral literature where you need
a low Eb on a Bb clarinet, people usually transpose to
A clarinet for that part (playing a low E to get the
same note as a low Eb on the Bb Clarinet.)

Different companies make this added key on a number of
their models. Makers that come to mind are Wurlitzer,
Patricola, Rossi in present times, and other companies
in the past. I don't think Selmer offers it as an
option anymore here in the US, but may in Europe, as
might Buffet, LeBlanc, and Yamaha to Europe. I'm sure
a clarinet manufacturer, like Steve Fox would be up
for making a full boehm system clarinet, since he does
custom work, and does make basset clarinets down to
low C.

Any music store people know more about the full boehm
system and where to get it? Lisa A. from International
Music Suppliers? Bill H.?

Kelly abraham
Woodwinds - New York City
--- Glen Shannon <gshannon@-----.com> wrote:
> What is the long Eb/Bb? I saw it today on the oboe
> site mentioned
> earlier (doing a search for "banana key"). I guess
> I'm just not hip
> to the lingo. I'm familiar with three ways to get
> that note- using
> finger 3 (left hand) on the thin little key beneath
> the second hole
> in the top joint, using a key at the same level to
> the right of that
> note, and using just the index fingers of each hand.
> Is one of those
> also known as a "long" fingering, or is there still
> another way? Or
> is this too basic a question in a room full of
> professional players
> with whole collections of customized instruments.
>
> Glen
>
> >Yes. My Selmers have the articulated C#/G# on the
> right side. I wanted it
> >particularly because I have never been able to
> trill evenly with the left
> >little finger. (I also have the left Eb/Ab key.)
> I got all of the extra
> >keys except the long Eb/Bb key -- and sometimes
> wish I had just gotten the
> >full Boehm system.
> >
> >Jim Hobby

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