 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: John Morton
Date: 2006-05-13 20:34
I have been priming a metal clarinet to be my alternate/backup horn. It is well maintained and of decent quality, a 1928 H.N. White Silver King. I realize that no two clarinets are exactly alike, especially when they are of different brands, from different continents, and seperated by 75 years. For this reason I have put serious time into learning to finger the Silver King.
It has become apparent that in a few respects the older horn will always put me at a severe disadvantage. In particular, the A key under the left index finger is perhaps 4 mm. closer to the first hole (F#/B) than on my R13. It took a few weeks to finally realize that the notes that failed to sound in certain passages were sabotaged by inadvertent pressure of my L index finger. That finger actually touches the key at all times when I cover the hole, so that the slightest tweak in hand position can depress it.
My question: is the work of reshaping or replacing an A key routine in the life of a good repair person? Or might some of you suggest that I keep trying to adapt by adopting an arched finger position? Or getting another horn?
thanks
John Morton
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-05-13 21:12
The A key can be shortened by cutting the touchpiece end at the key arm, silver soldering it back together, reshaping the key to make it look as near the original as possible, cleaning up and polishing it then replating it to hide the solder joint and to match the others.
It's a pretty routine operation for a good repairer, but don't trust any repairer who hasn't mastered silver soldering otherwise things could end up messy.
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