Klarinet Archive - Posting 000133.txt from 2002/11

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: reverse Mozart
Date: Sat, 2 Nov 2002 22:29:02 -0500

In a message dated 11/2/2002 11:25:37 AM Eastern Standard Time, leeson0@-----.net writes:

> This is shown most clearly in contemporary bass clarinets that have a
> low e-flat, d, d-flat, and c. When one plays those notes, they are
> invariably in tune, but play them with the register key on and the 12ths
> are often badly out of tune. While it is true that such fingerings were
> never considered by instrument designers, there is no theoretical reason
> why they should not work.>>

Dan, I have some experiences to share here.

This summer I started making Low C "extenstions" for low Eb basses. Of course, different models have different bore sizes and varying problems with the E-B, and F-C, 12ths.

I worked extensively with a very nice Selmer bass clarinet, which was about 20 to 25 years old.

I made three different prototypes for the extension before I turned, bored, and cut tone holes in the final version.

I found that with careful measurement of tone hole distances and sizes, I could "nail" the Eb, D, Db, and C on the tuner. With careful placement of the tone hole for the Eb, I helped the intonation on the E-B 12th which was very wide.

I was also hoping to come up with a good alternate Bb, fingered, as you suggested, with the low Eb key.

I was not able to find any permutation that gave me the extremely good tuning for the Eb, D, Db, and C, that also allowed the Eb-Bb 12th to work at all.

The bore size of the instrument was of couse, already determined, so I could not change that variable. It would be interesting to try.

I dont have a Buffett 1193. Anyone out there with one, how do the low 12ths line up? Can up use the low Eb fingering to produce an acceptable Bb, or D for an acceptble A?

Be interesting to find out.

Walter Grabner
www.clarinetXpress.com

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