Klarinet Archive - Posting 000152.txt from 2010/01

From: "Dan Leeson" <dnleeson@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Full Boehm
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:42:05 -0500

Diego correctly brings up the consequence of the full Boehm mechanism,
specifically that it requires a special case. At one time Selmer made
several cases that accommodated the full Boehm instrument. A single case for
the B-flat, a single case for the A, and a double case for both instruments.

But there was a sonic advantage to the full Boehm instrument. Because it
was longer, the timbre was different (and in my opinion an improvement over)
the plain Boehm. This was true for both the B-flat and the A.

In effect, it was like my playing of my low C bass clarinet on works that
did not require the low notes.. The timbre of the instrument was an
improvement than the plain Boehm bass. The improvement derived from the
extra 8-10 inches of wood on the lower joint. When I bought my A bass
clarinet, I requested a model down to low C, but they didn't make one. I
did not need the extra notes, only the extra length.

Think about it. What do you enjoy playing more, the B-flat or the A
clarinet? I found the timbre of the A so deliciously better than the B-flat
that I wanted to play it all the time. I once found an edition of the Mozart
quintet for a B-flat clarinet. And I played about half a movement before I
said, "forget it!" The timbre was wrong for K. 581.

Dan Leeson

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