 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Dons
Date: 2006-05-28 19:37
I would like to learn to play an Eb Albert system clarinet. I have recently purchased an instrument and would like to find an instruction book or method to learn how to play it. I have looked all over the internet but found nothing. I have no clarinet experience. Any info will be appreciated.
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Author: Terry Stibal
Date: 2006-05-28 23:17
Find yourself a copy of the Rubank Elementary method; it has both an Albert and a Boehm fingering chart. From the lay of some of the exercises, it looks as if the method was written for the Albert system and the Boehm horn added as an afterthought.
You'll have a little more trouble picking up the facility that you need on an Albert horn. The little fingers are lacking the duplication found in the Boehm horns, although some instruments have alternate fingerings for C# and Eb that will help you along. The difference at the top of the upper joint (where F and F# are basically reversed) will come in time to be only an unpleasant memory.
I like the Albert (and German) systems for sharp keys, but prefer a Boehm horn for the flat keys. The intonation will be a tad wild if you are used to Boehm instruments, and some of the finger positions will be 'funky' compared to a French clarinet.
All in all, you're in for a fun ride as a first time clarinet player...
leader of Houston's Sounds Of The South Dance Orchestra
info@sotsdo.com
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Author: Dons
Date: 2006-05-29 12:29
Terry, thanks for the info. I have seen that method advertised but thought it was just for Bb instruments? Don
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Author: martind
Date: 2006-05-29 15:18
Ah yes, the elementary Rubank clarinet method with both albert and boehm fingering charts will suffice. Much to my surprise, I learned of the
two fingering systems after purchasing my first clarinet.......a used H.N. White, Cleveland, Ohio made of hard rubber - the same material used in old automobile steering wheels.
I had no problems learning the albert fingerings and performing in the elementary school ensemble. However, when I entered high school, it was evident that my clarinet was indeed different in appearance and key structure. My next instrument was a metal Cavalier, Elkhart, Indiana that introduced me to the boehm system. My transition came fairly easy as I recall and my education on clarinet manufactures began.......metal, plastic and finally wood.
Your interest in learning the Eb albert system clarinet is similar and appeals to my curiousity. Two years ago, I purchased a new german system clarinet from WWBW. Yes, the simple system/albert is the foundation for the Oehler- clarinet played especially in Germany and Austria orchestras.
A more complete Oehler and Albert system fingering chart is available from the internet: www.wfg.woodwind.org
I would love to hear from you and your transition to the albert system.
Martin
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2006-05-29 16:27
Dons
There is no difference between a method book for Bb, for Eb, or indeed for any other clarinet. Clarinets are transposing instruments; a given written note is fingered the same way regardless of what key the instrument is in, but sounds a different pitch. You can learn from any clarinet method, but will require an Albert fingering chart as found in Rubank or on this site.
But two words of caution:
1. Eb clarinets are reputed to be significantly harder to play than Bb. Beginners almost always start on Bb, and for good reason.
2. If it is an Albert instrument it is either very old (and therefore unlikely to be in good playing order) or it is one of the Indian instruments sold on Ebay (which have an extremely poor reputation).
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: Terry Stibal
Date: 2006-05-29 21:21
I have to disagree on the method books not being different.
First off, the fingering is substantially different in terms of how the horn is played. While the base scale only differs in a few details, the transitions from one note to another are substantially different between the Albert horn and the Boehm one. The little fingers work "different", the first fingers work "different", and there are some differences in the altissimo range.
To begin with, little finger technique differs considerably between the horns, and the thumb/first finger arrangement is different as well. Those carefully drafted L-R-L drills in a Boehm method make no sense if included in a "simple" or German style method. And, the semi-parity of the Albert system was not all that far in the past; many musicians were still using the Albert horn or the equivalent in the early years of the previous century.
(One of the best things about passing into the new millenium is that I can now use that phrase to refer to the 1900's...)
Come to think of it, some us still play the damn'd things...
I don't recall the exact section of the Rubank (as it's been many, many years since I've seen a copy), but I recall some exercises that appeared relatively late in the method that were like falling off a log on the Boehm but when played on an Albert "made sense".
There were also sections of one of the Lazarus methods that were similar in nature. That's been about forty years in the past, so I certainly can't quote you chapter and verse, but I got the distinct feeling that (when played on a Boehm) that the etude or exercise wasn't up to the same degree of difficulty found up to that point in the method. I think that there was also something in there that was meant to exercise the patent C# mechanism. Also bear in mind that Lazarus played on the Albert style horn to the day of his death.
leader of Houston's Sounds Of The South Dance Orchestra
info@sotsdo.com
Post Edited (2006-05-30 00:40)
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Author: Dons
Date: 2006-05-30 12:07
Martin
Thanks for the info and agreeing that the Rubank is the way to go. I did pull up the fingering chart on www.wfg.woodwind .org.
Don
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Author: Dons
Date: 2006-05-30 12:16
David
Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it. My instrument did come from India(ebay) and appears to be fairly good quality. I was very much aware of the quality problem of any musical instrument coming from India but ordered it anyhow in hopes of learning to play it while looking for a better horn. Thanks again.
Don
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Author: Dons
Date: 2006-05-30 12:19
Terry
Thanks again for the additional info.
Don
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