 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2017-07-12 23:00
Browsing various versions of "The Mooche", I stumbled across this version of Ellington's band. I'm curious if those of you familiar with the Albert/Oehler system could tell me what kind of clarinet I'm looking at (here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDVZdZMCc0w&t=1m28s )
To me, it appears to be a standard Albert, but with an oddly place E3 key on the lower joint near the bell. Any guesses as to which makes/models were designed this way?
Thanks!
Fuzzy
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Author: ned
Date: 2017-07-13 09:50
Selmer Radio Improved models had the ''three in aa row'' setup.
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Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2017-07-13 10:05
Thank Ned! That's what it looks like, alright!
I have friends and acquaintances who use the Improved Selmers, but I guess I just never looked at them all that closely (even though I've held them, etc.) - sorta feel silly. There was just something about that view in the video I guess which finally brought the lower key layout to my attention. Additionally - I had never noticed the third pinky key for the left hand. Pretty cool stuff.
Thanks again for helping me out!
Fuzzy
[edit] I had always been lead to believe that the huge painting of a clarinet on the Holiday Inn in New Orleans was an Improved Selmer - but it doesn't have the "three in a row" - were there different versions of the "Improved Selmer"?
Post Edited (2017-07-13 10:08)
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Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2017-07-13 18:40
Chris,
Thanks for the links! I had no idea there were so many Selmer Alberts out there...or that they were around in 1910.
Great stuff!
Fuzzy
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Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2017-07-14 00:55
Hi Chris,
Thanks for the truncated link - there's a lot of great info and photos to spend some time with!
As per "...when they weren't run by penny-pinchers!" - I think it was the "can do" era of innovative manufacturing. C.G. Conn was experimenting heavily in the 1890s (perhaps before) as well - up until the 1940s or so. There is a museum about 10 hours from here that has a wonderful display of Conn's many creations (not just clarinets)...unfortunately, Selmers aren't as well represented in the collection.
;^)>>>
Fuzzy
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Author: ned
Date: 2017-07-14 05:08
''...were there different versions of the "Improved Selmer"?...''
I'm no expert Fuzzy unfortunately.
I DO recall playing some numbers on a friend's ''Radio Improved'' - about ten or so years ago now.
I was asked to sit-in with the band, but had taken my Buffet home to bed after playing an earlier job, so, I was offered his RI to use instead.
Wow, that was some machine to play. Featherbed action, beautiful tone...it was a revelation. I'm not surprised that a mid century, or even earlier, model can command $5K here in Oz.
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