Klarinet Archive - Posting 000185.txt from 2004/01

From: "Mike Kubit" <m.kubit@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Boehm and Albert Systems
Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2004 02:29:52 -0500

Dear Folks,

I play a Boehm-system clarinet, and am a huge fan of Dixieland jazz. I am
intrigued by the fact that many of my favorite clarinetists played "Albert"
system clarinets. I read a quote by Barney Bigard saying how he preferred
the Albert system clarinet over the Boehm, because to him it seemed to have
a "better tone". Whereas I can't really envision how that could be (tonal
differences between clarinets is not the subject of my inquiry in this
post), I mention it for anecdotal reasons, as that comment sparked my
interest in learning more about the technical differences between the
systems.

For kicks, I have been "researching" the Albert system online (...), but all
I have been able to determine is that the Albert system has fewer keys than
the Boehm system, and that the Albert seems to be less prevalent, at least
in the US -- maybe even a dying breed (?)

I was just wondering if anybody might be able to shed some light on the
actual playing differences between the two systems, how long it takes a
players to learn one over the other, how one system might facilitate or
impede certain styles of playing over the other, differences in (alternate)
fingering -- how they might differ in the practical application of clarinet
playing in general, and in playing jazz in particular.

My interest is sheerly academic, and I am eager to learn more. (Which is
not to say I wouldn't mind picking up a used Albert system clarinet for
kicks just to blow it and noodle around a bit ;-)

Thank you in advance for sharing any information (and Happy New Year!)

Mike

Mike Kubit
m.kubit@-----.net

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