Klarinet Archive - Posting 000010.txt from 2005/08

From: "Geoff & Sherryl-Lee Secomb" <gsecomb@-----.au>
Subj: Re: [kl] Full boehm Model clarinets
Date: Tue, 02 Aug 2005 19:36:53 -0400

Hi Chris.
Yes, I've played full Boehm clarinets for an extended period.
My first pro instruments were Leblanc L7's, and in keeping with my teachers
preference at the time, most of his students then played 20/7 systems.
First thing you need to know is that the bore design should be the same with
or without the extra keys. These keys are: LH Ab/Eb, low Eb on the right
hand, extra C#/G# key operated by the middle finger of the right hand
(another sliver key in between the first and second rings on the right hand.
There is also an extra ring on the third finger hole LH (C/G).
What do they do? Firstly, the C#/G# is articulated, as on saxophones, which
means that the C#/G# key can be held down while the RH ring key is used.
This is useful when doing an F# to G# trill, for example. However, the
articulated mechanism won't allow for some of those altissimo fingerings
which call for the C#/G# hole to be open while depressing the RH rings. One
benefit of this system is that the C#/G# tone hole is placed in the
acoustically correct place and is the correct size, instead of being shifted
up the body and resized to compensate, which then causes its own set of
complications in the design of the instrument's acoustics. I also found that
when I changed to a 17/6 system some years later that my LH little finger
had got lazy and had to be retrained to co-ordinate properly when coming off
this key.
The extra ring on the left hand is there to facilitate another fingering
possibility for Eb/Bb i.e. first and third finger holes covered and second
hole open. This can be used with or without the C#/G# key down. One place
this was of great value was in the opening of the third of the Stravinsky
three pieces, which made it possible to play the whole opening set of notes
by moving one finger!
The LH Ab/Eb key shouldn't cause any issues, and is a great help once you
get into multiple flat keys (try doing Ab major arpeggio in inversions.) The
low Eb key is useful if you're doing any quantity of transposition from A
clarinet, but really has benefit in the open tone hole when playing third
line B, giving a sound much more in keeping with the tone of the C.
A last consideration is the extra weight involved, which may not seem like
much, but can still be an issue for some people. Perhaps a clarinet strap
would be an asset here.

As to whether to or not? I've played professionally on both 20/7 and 17/6
systems, and in reality you work with what you've got. YOU will be the
musician, and you'll express yourself any way you can. Think of what some of
the greats from previous centuries played; they were still great players,
who took what they had and made it work for them. Whatever you decide, enjoy
your music making.
Best of luck,
Geoff Secomb.
Australia.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Ciarlariello" <cdc_1013@-----.com>
To: "Klarinet List" <klarinet@-----.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2005 10:52 PM
Subject: [kl] Full boehm Model clarinets

> Hi everyone,
> Has anyone played on a clarinet with the full boehm
> system (20 keys/7 rings) because I am looking into
> purchasing a Buffet RC prestige, but I want to see if
> it is work getting the additional keys. Are the
> standard keys in the same place as the regular 18 key
> model or do they get shifted around? Also, are there
> any major issues with tuning or tone because of the
> extra keys? Finally, would it be better to just get
> the 18 key model or is it worth getting the additional
> keys?
>
> I really need to get information because it is a lot
> of money and I do not want to end up with a problem
> when all is said and done!
>
> Thanks for all your help,
> Chris Ciarlariello
>
> "Music is the essence of my soul. The part that will never die in me and
> will live on in others when I am gone."
> ~Chris Ciarlariello
>
>
>
>
> http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
>
>
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>

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