 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Andy
Date: 1999-02-16 22:22
I just have a simple question. Whats the difference between the Frence, German, and Albert systems? I know that the.... Frence is the most commanly used...I think. Is it just a different key layout? what do you play it upside down? or is it just a nifty way for the manufactures to get people to buy the clarinet?
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Author: Dee
Date: 1999-02-17 01:12
Over the history of the development of the clarinet, different makers tried different ways of arranging the keys to get the necessary notes. Over time, more and more keys were added.
When you say "French" system, you are probably referring to the Boehm key system. This is what you will see in the Western Hemisphere and much of western Europe.
The Albert system is a different key system that is now basically obsolete. It developed into the Oehler system, which is what you probably are referring to as the "Germany" system. It is very popular in countries like Germany and Austria. Simple, Albert-like key systems are (I think) still made and used in some eastern European countries.
Basically the hole spacings and key layout are a little different so that some notes finger differently on the different key systems.
There were other key systems during the development of the clarinet but the Boehm and Oehler are the ones that survive today.
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Author: Arnold the basset hornist
Date: 1999-02-17 05:31
Just read my answer to a question asking for the history of the clarinets:
<a href=http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?id=615>Answer No. 615</a>
The main differences between boehm system (not developed by Theobald Boehm but by Klose and Buffet in France) and german sys are:
Chalumeau thumb only is F on boehm and F# on german sys.
Left hand 4 fingers + right hand index finger is Bb/F on boehm and Bnatural/F# on german sys.
No coupling from lower joint to upper joint on german sys.
Less keys for the little fingers on german sys lower joint (right hand clarion Eb and C only, left hand basically clarion Bnatural and C# only, both pairs connected with rollers as at the saxophone, additionally a clarion C# if your press the left hand clarian B-natural key but not the right hand C key. There also are some additional levers for the left hand little finger "elevated" - you cannot slide to them - a clarion Eb and F lift-up-connection)
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Author: Plácido
Date: 1999-02-21 16:08
The difference is in the key layout, as the previous people told you, but there are a few more.
German clarinet has different barrel and different mouthpiece, which comes with a completely different reed: thin sideways and thick like a plank, like the Vandoren Whitemaster.
The sound is different too, because the inside of the German clarinet is bigger. The sound is warmer and darker.
Plácido
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