Klarinet Archive - Posting 000256.txt from 2002/05

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Pinky key improvements?
Date: Fri, 10 May 2002 16:06:27 -0400

At 01:11 PM 5/10/2002 -0400, Walter Grabner wrote:
>Claudia Zornow says (Hi Claudia!):
>
><<A clarinetist friend of mine has short pinkies which occasionally "lock
>up" and, as a result, he has some trouble with passages that use the
>right-hand pinky keys a lot. He wonders if any work has been done with
>modifying these keys, perhaps adding extensions, and where one might find
>places where such work is done.>>
>...
>Also, I did some work on a clarinet, where I routinely MISS the left hand
>C/F key. This is the key that I have the most trouble with on my own
>clarinets (is it the key, or my left pinky?)

I have problems with that key to differing degrees, depending on the
particular instrument. For example, I had to slightly modify it on my
Series 10 by bending it outward slightly. On the other hand, it falls
readily under my finger on my old Carl Fisher A clarinet.

As for the short pinkies, Claudia's friend might want to check out the
Selmer Balanced Tone. I find that I sometimes miss the pinkie keys on it
because they are in TOO CLOSE for my long fingers!

Those long fingers can cause other troubles, too. I have recently had the
opportunity to play, among others, a Leblanc Opus and also a rosewood
Symphonie VII. Both very nice instruments, but the Opus is clearly not for
me. The keywork, most particularly the auxilliary Eb key, will not do with
my hands. I was always hitting that lever accidentally when going for the
other ones. As I recalI I had the same difficulty with the Selmer
Signature. But the Symphonie VII's keywork is different, and did NOT
present the same problem. At $6365 list, I doubt it will make it's way
into my collection, even at the discount I could finagle as a dealer on the
demo! I was not so impressed by the new replacement Pete Fountain model
(awfully stuffy for a large-bore horn!), although the Vito VSP and new
small-bore (.575) Noblet Laureate play quite nicely.

Just for comparison's sake, I had my Series 10 and an R-13 with me for
comparison. Although I see no reason to replace my Selmer based on what I
felt and heard that day, if it crumbled into dust tomorrow, I might very
well go grab that particular R-13 as a replacement! (Although if I could
get that gorgeous-looking Symphonie VII for the same price...)

Bill Hausmann bhausmann1@-----.net
451 Old Orchard Drive
Essexville, MI 48732 ICQ UIN 4862265

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is TOO LOUD!

---------------------------------------------------------------------