 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: kfeder@hotmail.com
Date: 2005-03-04 16:21
A "C" clarinet I am considering comes in another model that has an alternate left hand Eb key. I'm just wondering about how useful that would be as I haven't played a clarinet with the additional key.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: music_is_life
Date: 2005-03-04 16:28
there's another (fairly recent) post on this. just do a search. but since I have nothing better to do, I'll throw in my 2 cents...
my opinion on the alternate is that it just gets in the way. If you are used to playing a clarinet without one, you'll have to do some adjusting (if you're willing, that's great!)- it might be tricky if you're Bb/A doesn't have the key, because then you'll be switching between the embellished clar and the one without the extra key. My clar. teacher told me that the pros she knows had this extra key removed because it got in the way and made them make mistakes they wouldn't normally make without that key. it all depends- do you mind using alternate fingers and sometimes having to do finger slides to accomidate the written requirements of your music? or would you rather have the ease of the alternate pinky key, so you dont have to deal with "right hand? left hand? pinky slide?" etc. it all comes down to your opinion. I personally was fascinated when I saw this extra key and the guy who had it said it was wonderful- he liked it fine. However, if I had it, nice as it is, I would probably have it removed because I am no good at adjusting to those types of things, especially since at least on of my clarinets would be devoid of it!
-Lindsie
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tom Piercy
Date: 2005-03-04 16:39
I have the alternate Ab/Eb key on my Buffet and find it especially useful in some trill and arpeggios. I don't have it on my Rossi. I can live with it, and certainly can live without it. I don't feel it gets in the way (I guess it depends on your finger/hand size andespecially how you position your fingers for those left hand keys).
Tom Piercy
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ralph G
Date: 2005-03-04 17:12
I used to have an R-13 Prestige on loan that had the key. I never had much need for it when I had it. Now a couple of years down the line and getting more into von Weber with a standard R-13, I wish I had that extra key (Weber's stuff can be especially tricky with the pinkies). As long as it's not placed in such a way that it can obstruct the other levers, the extra key is like extra hard disk space -- it's always nice to have.
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-03-04 18:32
People often say that it gets in the way, however I'm sure that a little practice will get your fingers used to going AROUND the key. My guess is that people will try it, hit it a few times, and then say, "This is annoying." I'm SURE that with a little further practice, you'll naturally learn to avoid it.
As for my two cents on it's functionality, I have a clarinet that has it, and two that don't. I find it very helpful in certain situations (certain arpeggios as mentioned above, as well as some Von Weber stuff, ALSO mentioned above). So all in all, I wouldn't purchase a clarinet just BECAUSE it has this key, however if you find a good playing clarinet with it, don't be put off because it has this key.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
