Klarinet Archive - Posting 000081.txt from 2003/04

From: "Buckman, Nancy" <nebuckman@-----.edu>
Subj: RE: [kl] Patricola
Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2003 00:30:20 -0400

Hi Barbara,

You need to try "many" clarinets before choosing a final selection. You =
can get clarinets on approval from Muncy (1-800-333-6415) or =
International Musical Suppliers (1-800-762-1116). They both stock =
Patricola Instruments. Call and get prices before you buy anything. =
Patricola has a web site at www.patricola.it. You can view their =
instruments there. =20

Their keywork is somewhat smaller (streamlined, sort of) than most and =
some people don't like that. My clarinets, in A, Bb, C, Eb, are =
rosewood and have all the bells and whistles. the Eb/Ab lever is not =
the most popular thing out there (you can choose whether or not you want =
it), but I have found that once you get used to using it, if it isn't =
there, it is like missing any other alternate fingering - I find myself =
hunting for it on my C clarinet (which doesn't have it). I chose =
rosewood because it is light and I have bad carpal tunnel problems. =
Rosewood changes rapidly in sub-tropical climates. It shrinks and =
swells and can create problems such as binding keys, until it settles =
down. I did have to make some minor adjustments to keywork to =
accommodate this movement within the instrument. it entail removing a =
very tiny amount of metal from the keywork to stop the binding. It was =
an annoyance, but I wouldn't trade these instruments for anything. No =
loose rings or other winter problems, just the slight movement of =
keywork as the wood shrank and expanded. Because of this movement it =
does require a little more care than grenadilla, but the extra care =
largely depends on the climate where you live.

Enjoy your search for a new instrument. The search is half the fun of =
buying a new instrument.

Nancy

Nancy E. Buckman, Technical Assistant
School of Health Professions, Wellness and Physical Education
Anne Arundel Community College
Arnold, MD 21012-1895 USA
Phone 410-777-2316 Fax 410-777-2233
E-mail nebuckman@-----.edu

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