Klarinet Archive - Posting 000205.txt from 2004/01

From: Rick Campbell <ricksax@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] American move to the Boehm system
Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2004 21:32:33 -0500

<<Can you visualized the Boehm system clarinet being relaced in
America over a period of the next 25-50 years? I find it hard to
believe that such a thing could happen, but it certainly did happen
to the Albert system clarinet and I have no idea why.

I'm curious about how how, when, why, and where this happened. What
did we gain? What did we lose? -- Dan Leeson>>

First, it important to inderstand that the Boehm system is a French
development first manufactured by Buffet.

The Germans tried to perfect the Simple System (Albert) 13 key
clarinet by keeping the same fingering in the later Wurlitzer and
Oehler systems. The Oehler has more tone holes, and some complex
linkages, but is very rational with only 4 roller pinky keys. So
today's German or Viennese clarinetist playing the Oehler could
easily play an Albert, whereas we Boehm players have an awful time
adapting.

Some guesses about the cause for the change to Boehm:

1. American clarinet instruction was probably more strongly
influenced by the French academies.

2. Albert system Bb clarinets require a real right hand stretch to
cover the non-ringed tone holes, which makes them even more difficult
for young beginners. Tough even for my adult hands. Students were
often started on an Eb or C clarinet years ago.

3. Perhaps, too, there was an element of planned obsolescence?
Everyone had to buy a new clarinet, which must have been great for
sales. Imagine Prof. Harold Hill hawking the new instrument across
the heartland.

4. Another claimed advantage was that Boehm clarinets were truly
chromatic, and could play comfortably in sharp keys, thus,
eliminating the need for the A clarinet (with a full Boehm model).

A great question. I wonder if someone has written a doctoral thesis on this?

--
Rick Campbell
Rick Campbell, Creative
Portland, OR USA
503-234-9440

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