 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Sandy
Date: 2000-06-28 05:36
I bought an old clarinet at a garage sale. Tracked the serial number and found it was made in 1886. It looks different than modern clarinets, minus several keys for the left baby finger and other things. Does anyone know where to find more info on old clarinets? I have been reading your messages about different models and I have no clue how to tell what model I have to begin asking questions. Any help would be appreciated.
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Author: Eoin
Date: 2000-06-28 07:23
The standard clarinet used throughout the world nowadays (except Germany and Austria) is the Boehm system clarinet. In 1886, this was not the case. There were are least four different designs, (Boehm, Baermann, Albert, Mueller). These could be divided into two camps: the Boehm, which plays the same as it still does today, and all the others, which are usually collectively known as "Albert System". If your clarinet seems to be lacking keys, it might be an Albert. Try describing the keys to us. Does it have metal rings around the finger holes? How many rings and around which holes? What keys are there beside the left little finger? What keys are there beside the right little finger? Do any of the little finger keys have rollers attached to them (freely rotating cylinders)? Let us know the answers to all these questions, or better still, put a photo of it on your website and give us the address.
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Author: Sandy
Date: 2000-06-28 14:57
Thanks for the info! Where do I find that type of information and maybe a picture or two? Sorry I don't have a photo yet (only owned it for 4 days). There are rings around the bottom two finger holes, none on the top four holes. There are 3 keys for the left baby finger, 2 of them going to holes at the bottom of clarinet. There are 2 keys for the right baby finger and 3 keys for the right pointer finger the lean on. There on no rollers. Hope this helps
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Author: Lelia
Date: 2000-06-28 16:42
See if your local library has a book by Jack Brymer, _The Clarinet_. His book is full of excellent pictures of old clarinets. Another good source is _The Cambridge Companion to the Clarinet_, which is currently in print. Borders and most other large retailers of new books carry it. Sounds like you found something most interesting! Please let us know more when you find out the details.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-06-28 22:39
Also the book "The Clarinet" by F. Geoffrey Rendall has some good pictures. I don't know if it is still in print but try the library.
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Author: Eoin McAuley
Date: 2000-06-28 23:25
From your description, Sandy, this is an Albert Clarinet. It uses the key and ring system designed by Eugene Albert, a Belgian clarinet maker. This system is known as the "Albert" system in America and the "Simple" system in Britain. The presence of only two rings instead of four distinguishes it from the Baermann system which is also usually known as "Albert" or "Simple" and is played identically.
The fingering charts for playing this clarinet are given at:
http://gofree.indigo.ie/~jonmca/clarinet2.html
Albert system clarinets and the very similar Baermann system models were very popular in Jazz circles up to about 30 years ago. They are no longer made. Film director Woody Allen is noted for still playing one, although he was able to afford to get a clarinet manufacturer to make him a once off brand new one.
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Author: Sandy
Date: 2000-06-29 06:21
Thank you very much for the information, all of you. I will check the books this week. Eoin, I used the information you gave me to describe the instrument to my old band teacher. He knew it exactly. He even knew it was made from Grenadilla wood (not sure of the spelling). He is now doing some checking on how best to restore it. I'll let you know how it turns out - with a picture.
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Author: Dave W.
Date: 2000-06-29 14:49
There's what appears to be a similiar vintage Buffet
clarinet on ebay right now , item #365843653 .
From the single photo it does appear to be a strange
key layout , w/ only two rings(?!) serial number is 26c ,
late 1800s . Comes in the original leather pouch(!)
No cracks or chips in the wood .
But hey , have a look for yourselves, it is a curiousity.
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Author: Sandy
Date: 2000-06-30 06:57
Thanks for the tip. Took a look and it is quite similar, but just slightly different. Gives me ideas. I'll let you all know when I know more. Hopefully pictures will be available soon.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-06-30 16:47
Yes, our several "good books" have pics of historical clars, and many are for viewing in museums, worldwide. I seems to me that in the period 1850-1900 there were many makers competing for sales with models slightly differing from each other. I have two of the "no-ring" UJ, 2-ring LJ variety made by Porocelli and by Jerome [associated with Thibouville-Lamy at some time]with some diffs., also greater diffs from my 2-ring, 2-ring [later] versions. Fun to play on in ?spare? time! There is a web-site at www.earlyclarinet@egroups.com[vintage clarinets]where most of the collectors discuss old horns and their restoration, which may be of interest. Have fun, Don
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Author: Sandy
Date: 2000-07-26 04:50
Just thought I should let you know that I will not be repairing my clarinet to working condition, but, instead will polish and oil it to a good looking condition and will allow my sister to frame it. I may at a later date go back and completely restore it, but that is not in the cards at this time. Thanks to all of you for sharing your information. I have enjoyed talking with you.
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