 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Steve O
Date: 2019-06-06 23:10
Hello,
Three years ago I injured my right hand. Despite working hard at it, I've never been able to get my right pinky finger to pull all the way back next to the 4th finger, particularly if the fingers are bent.
Operating the four right pinky keys is troublesome, actually making it impossible to play some passages.
In particular, the f#/c# key is difficult; the Ab/Eb key a bit less so, but also problematic. When I pull the pinky in that close to the 4th finger it forces the 4th finger to roll off the tone hole. Either that or the pinky finger lands roughly between the keys.
What I believe would work would be to find someone who can modify my clarinet slightly. If the 4 keys could be moved or rotated just a couple of millimeters farther away from the 4th finger tone hole I should be able to play normally. I'm not even certain the best person is necessarily an instrument repairer, but maybe a metalsmith or jeweler.
Does anyone know of a repair shop or expert who is capable of this kind of modification? I live in the Washington DC area, so that would be a good starting point. But if there's no one around here, I'll work with someone else.
Thanks,
Steve
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2019-06-07 02:15
Any really competent professional instrument repairer ought to be able to do what you suggest. It may require the touchpieces to be partially cut through and then silver soldered in their new position as these keys are likely to be far too stiff just to bend.
Best to go to a good local repairer to demonstrate just how far you need the keys moved.
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Author: Ken Lagace
Date: 2019-06-07 02:21
Steve Ocone in Baltimore did some repair on an Albert C I have. And he is a member here.
https://www.annandsteves.com/repairs
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2019-06-08 19:56
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Attachment: P2140002.JPG (679k)
Moving the RH touchpieces is a doddle and anyone with the skill can do that as it doesn't involve much alteration to the instrument if any.
Normally I've had to bring them in closer to RH finger 3, but there's no reason why they can't be moved further away to make things easier. The photos show the before and after on a Yamaha clarinet where the touches were brought closer in, but the opposite can be done just as easily.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2019-06-08 19:59)
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2019-06-08 20:54
I would be happy to work on your clarinet. I'm southwest of Baltimore and have other customers in the DC area.
Steve Ocone
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