 The Bassoon BBoard
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Author: D
Date: 2017-12-22 12:41
I have an Adler 1358 which is around 20 years old, I had it second hand so I have no idea of the exact age. This is the version with the Ab/Bb trill key for the right hand thumb.
There is a plate underneath the left hand little finger C#/D# keys which means that the C# operates the D# as well, although the D# can be independent.
My teacher has no idea what it is for.
Of my bassoon playing friends two have Adlers of roughly the same vintage, possibly a little older. One has this plate and one does not. Neither of them know what it is for.
The only thing we can come up with is that it is used for resonance of some particular high notes instead of Eb alone.
I found reference to what I believe is this adaptation in a catalgoue of adaptations made to Heckles over the years but there is no explanation given for why it was done.
Could this be it? This seems to be about the right parts of the bassoon but I'm not sure I understand fully what would be gained. Is it just that the thumb is easier to move than the little finger? "The more complicated “Articulated” mechanisms allow for one key to be used for both the low Db and low Eb, so the movement between the two notes is accomplished by just the movement of the thumb from the low C to D keys; the 4th finger does not need to move." https://www.mmimports.com/2012/07/bassoon-keywork-options/
Any ideas?
Many thanks
D
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2018-04-21 20:58
It's an articulated low Eb key - the Eb pad cup is sprung open and held closed by the stronger spring on the Eb key just as you'd see on oboe and sax G# keys.
This means you can hold down the Eb key and slur to low C, Bb or Bb simply by closing the low C, B or Bb keys as the linkage bar on the low C key will automatically close the Eb key pad.
This also makes for an easy low Eb-Db (or Db-Eb) slur as you can hold down the low C#/Db key and operate the low C key to do the slur. It's usually marketed as a low C#-D# or Db-Eb link.
The one thing a lot of players don't like is it means the low C# key can't be used independently to vent, resonate or stabilise certain notes higher up the instrument as it opens the Eb key along with it. It can be disengaged, but that requires some surgery.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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