Klarinet Archive - Posting 000583.txt from 2003/08

From: <lande@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Re: Articulated G-sharp key
Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2003 13:12:06 -0400

Walter describes the Articulated G-sharp key as
"A screwed up, over-designed, badly-executed, mechanical mess, which
attempts to correct a minor technical difficulty on the clarinet "

The G#/C# in question is the key you play with your left hand pinkie. If
you look at a standard clarinet, there are six open holes with one pad cup
between holes 3 & 4. The C#/G# is located at the very bottom of the upper
joint. You press down with your L.H. pinkie and the pad pops up on the
opposite side of the instrument. Because makers usually don't like to have
the pad cup go through the tenen, that pad is located a little higher than
it should be . By "should" I mean where it normally would be located in
order to play in tune without making some compromises with hole size,
placement & chimney height for one or more pads.

The articulated machanizm allows makers to locate the C#/G# pad right in
line with the six open holes. (You have two pads there instead of one)
Usually that means the key is located on the lower joint and sometimes it
means the hole goes through the tenen. It also means that you have to have
a very short arrangement by which you can press down and have the pad pop
up. Doing this requires two or more pieces.

If there was a good way to do this, I assume that most of the mechansms
would be similar. With metal clarinets, I bet I have seen 6 different
mechanical approaches -- some radically different. Selmer has a complicated
system where one spring works against another. What a miserable thing to get
right. Buffet has an odd little swivel piece. Many of the mechanisms have
the advantage that you end up with a second banana key on the lower joint
which also can play the C#/G#. And if you practiced a lot, you might
actually use this extra key.

I have played a Silva Bets, Silver Kings and Selmers that were set up both
ways. I never noticed a difference.

Interesting? Very. Harder to keep working? That's my experience. Worth
the effort? Probably not.

Jim

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