 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarinetcurious
Date: 2004-01-23 22:23
Does anybody have an idea of how hard it is to use a german-system clarinet in the french-system dominated environment?
I'm particularly interested in the following:
Supplies availability. (reeds, mouthpieces, etc)
Aids (handy fingering charts, methods)
Technique (aside from fingering: different embochure?, other?)
Instructors: If a student came with a german Bb soprano to your class, do you:
a) send him home, tell him to get a "real" Bb soprano and use that one for tinder?
b) give him the basics and then craftfully make him see the light?
c) forbid questions regarding fingering and point sternly at his fingering chart whenever one pops up?
d) send him over to the german teacher?
any ideas/comments
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Author: ron b
Date: 2004-01-24 02:18
If I were a teacher...
and a student came to class with a German system clarinet I'd find out first, as with any other student, whether s/he can play - and how well. Go from there.
I played German system clarinet in an otherwise all Boehm band for four years in the (U.S.) military. There were no problems at all because as long as one can play the assigned parts, there are no problems. You either sound good or you don't.
You have a German clarinet teacher? By all means, if you aren't comfortable dealing with it send him to the German.
I, by the way, can play Boehm system acceptabley well, well enough to hold my own in a community band. Speaking from personal experience, I wouldn't try to make anyone "see the light". Both systems have their merits as well as drawbacks. Lighten up 
Rubank still publishes an Albert fingering chart (beginner book), mouthpiece/reeds are essentially the same... and, no matter how you analyze technique study, practice is still practice.
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n [the re-tread] b -
Post Edited (2004-01-24 02:20)
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Author: diz
Date: 2004-01-24 02:42
clarinetcurious ... I wouldn't recommend your a) approach, it would be a little hasty, perhaps.
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Author: donald
Date: 2004-01-24 03:25
some years ago i taught a German exchange student who played a lovely Wurlitzer 22 key clarinet. we concentrated on music, and fingering problems only came up once or twice. Having since learnt a bit more, i would probably be of more help to her today than i was then, but it really was no big deal for her to play the different system. Oh, except for the fact that the instrument was tuned at high pitch.
donald
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2004-01-24 04:31
Like Ron B I have played in all Boehm sections, including the army, without a problem all my career. At one stage the army did try to get me to play a Boehm, for no apparent reason, but they backed off after a while. The only catch was that I provided my own instrument.
Fingering charts are widely available. Rubank used to publish an Albert System fingering chart and there are Albert charts in some editions of Lazarus. ALbert fingering is essentially the same. A more modern Oehler system chart, and instrument diagram, is published in Practise Sessions by Peter Wastall. These charts do not in any way substitute for experience or an experienced teacher to guide you through difficult passages.
Although it is proper to use a German or Austrian style mouthpiece and appropriate reeds the Oehler system is quite playable on a French style mouthpiece and reed. I have experimented with this approach and had some good results although you lose some of the darkness in the tone. Reeds are not hard to get. Most, if not all, Vandoren dealers have White Master and Black Master reeds in their catalogue. Vintage, made by Reeds Australia, make a generic German cut. AW reeds have about 5 choices of German reeds. Availability can be a bit iffy but you learn to cope. The embouchure is no different apart from the size of the mouthpiece/ reed.
To address some of your other comments. A Boehm Bb soprano is not a real Bb soprano. The Oehler/Albert design is directly related to the chalumeax. The lineage goes right through the baroque and classical. In other words the Oehler system, being the contemporary system, is merely a natural clarinet which has had keys added to increase chromatic capability and range. The overiding design is a 6 hole pattern. The Oehler also maintains a mainly cylindrical bore. The Boehm by contrast is a mid 19th century invention. The bore profile, ie. barely cylindrical, bears little resemblance to the original concept of a clarinet. The fingering system maintains the throat and register key concepts but uses a 7 hole pattern for the main keywork. It is cultural imperialsim at its ugliest to suggest that Boehm is correct, because the majority of Americans use them, and the Oehler is an oddity, because the majority of Americans don't use them. There is no light to be seen and you have no right to suggest that anybody should change because you think that your way is normal.
It does not sound as if you would be equiped to cope with a German system student. Just pointing to the fingering chart and refusing to answer questions is not good teaching. Any attempt at coersion to the Boehm system, assuming you are dealing with young people who are impressionable, by the means you are asking about above is unethical! If somebody wants to play the German system or comes from that tradition then so be it. I teach students on both and have spent years learning correct Boehm technique. Some students have even been interested in going Albert or German because they like the sound. By all means send the student to a German clarinet teacher. The tinder suggestion must be a joke.
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Author: clarinetcurious
Date: 2004-01-24 18:33
Thanks for your very helpful coments.
All teacher options that I listed were meant as a joke (OK, I have a twisted sense of humour). I do not play clarinet but I'm trying to learn, so the student would be me.
I have a strong inclination towards the Albert system beacause it looks more logical in the on-line fingering charts and I can get a german system instrument quite cheaper than the bohem, so the resource availability issue is important but it seems it is not that hard to get things.
If most instructors are as understanding as you I will have no problems then.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2004-01-24 18:57
You can get almost everything you need for your clarinet at your local music store, CC.
I believe Canadians (I'm assuming you're in Canada) tune to A=440. Make sure you get a German system, or an Albert system, that's also A=440 - If you're considering an older Albert make sure it's marked (if it is marked, sometimes they aren't) L.P, not H.P. If it's not marked you need to check it with a tuner, or you'll run into Donald's situation....
I, too, hope the tinder suggestion is part of your (twisted?) sense of humor
- ron [the re-tread] b -
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2004-01-25 09:29
Now you are talking. If you happen to be dropping by Sydney at any time in the near future I would be glad to offer some Oehler and Albert tips. There are a number of us in the professional ranks, mainly jazz players, in Australia that don't play Boehm. Feel free to contact me with any other questions if you decide to go with the true clarinet! Howls from the gallery!
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