 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ronish
Date: 2010-12-11 07:38
I would like to make contact with any folk out there who is using a Vito plateau clarinet. I have some questions on intonation that are unique to these clarinets.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2010-12-11 12:45
I restored a Normandy plateau clarinet about six months ago, I believe it's identical to the Vito, and mine has no intonation issues that I'm aware of.
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Author: Ronish
Date: 2010-12-12 19:46
Hullo David and thanks for replying. The question I have, and I`m not sure if it is me or the plateau, but As, Bs, Bbs etc above the top stave are all very flat. I`ve had to use a much shorter barrel which causes lower notes to be a bit sharp.
The other question is that because all key rings are covered on the Vito, F# above top stave and Bb below bottom stave have to be played with the little lever (between 2nd and 3rd finger right hand) down to give the venting required. I was wondering if this is also needed with your Normandy.
Have a nice Xmas, it`s beach Wx here.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2010-12-13 00:51
I took great pains on my Normandy plateau to raise the key opening heights sufficiently to give adequate venting, so that no tricks are needed.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2010-12-13 14:32
David is right on.
My high school band director grew up on a farm and had the tip joints of his left index, middle and ring fingers sheared off in a reaper. He had plateau keys put on his clarinet upper joint. It was a long time ago, but I remember that the upper clarion was a bit stuffy.
Remember, though, that bass and contra clarinets (and most altos) play fine with plateau keys, and on the soprano, all tone holes except the seven with rings are plateau keys.
Oboes are all-plateau except for two pinholes and the right ring finger. Leon Goosens played on an ancient Loree with open rings because he though it gave him better resonance, but I can't think of any other oboist who does this.
I had trouble with my open-hole flute and had plugs put in the left middle and ring finger holes. My technician, who apprenticed at Haynes, said all she had to do was raise the plates a bit. She also made custom left-hand extensions for Jeanne Baxtresser, the principal flute in the NY Philharmonic.
There have been some good threads on plateau clarinets:
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=332586&t=332230
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=147204&t=14684cw2
For much more, search on "plateau"
Ken Shaw
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Author: Ronish
Date: 2010-12-13 18:44
But I`m still interested to know how anyone with a plateau is playing low Bb?I ask because if the 2nd finger Rt hand is used the adjacent 1st finger hole also is closed. There is then only one pad open apart for the 2 near horn, so setting keys high I`m surprised is enough. I have to use the little lever between 2nd and 3rd Rt finger (whatever it`s called) as well.
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Author: Ian White
Date: 2010-12-13 19:07
'if the 2nd finger Rt hand is used the adjacent 1st finger hole also is closed'
It shouldn't be - the plateaux for RH 1, 2 & 3 should all be working independently of each other so that the fingering works exactly the same as a normal ring key as on larger harmony clarinets. eg depressing RH1 OR 2 OR 3 should only close that hole plus the vent at the top of the 'ring key'.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2010-12-13 19:09
Ronish, it sounds like you have a popped or busted spring on your 2nd key, lower joint (if I'm envisioning this correctly). As Ian said.....
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Author: Malcolm Martland
Date: 2010-12-14 11:49
I agree with Ian White "the plateaux for RH 1, 2 & 3 should all be working independently.....depressing RH1 OR 2 OR 3 should only close that hole plus the vent at the top of the 'ring key'." The
Except with some plateau key clarinets e.g. Noblet, Normandy , R3 key only closes R3 hole and nothing else and cannot be used for long Eb/Bb.
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Author: Ronish
Date: 2010-12-14 19:45
You are right!! All of you! I would not have believed it because when No2 is closed No 1 also closes. A closer look tho` shows it was not closing with any weight. In fact there was a tiny spring that was wrong side of the base of No.1 that had slipped off. It is back on now and all Nos 1,2, &3 pads work independently. Goodness knows how long it had been like that but all notes sound great now.
I thank you.
Post Edited (2010-12-15 02:25)
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