 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-07-16 20:17
I have a piece to play, sop cl with piano, Sunday-church, a simple [orchestrated] tune [hymn] in my key of F, much across the break! Lot of Bb's ! No real problem, I just experimented with cls, picked my best Selmer CT, then, comparing the pinch Bb with the A + trill key [slight diff] began to wonder if the Mazzeo, Stubbins, McIntyre "ways" might be any better. Without more "guff" , I concluded that I wished that my Stubbins mech. [on a Noblet] , {another tone hole {well-placed} opening WITH the reg. key also!} were transferrable to my CT, the best of all worlds, for a familiar and fine Bb. I may consult a good repairer/tweaker re: this. Thots?? Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: ron b
Date: 2004-07-16 20:31
Anything's possible, Don ... ummm, have you estimated the cost of doing it?
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2004-07-16 22:06
Don -
Another instrument with a Bb improvement mechanism was the 1950s Selmer Omega (not the current model). I played a Bb/A set in high school, and kept the A for a long time. There's a picture at http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/Equipment/SK.jpg and a discussion at http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/Equipment/index.html.
The SK mechanism is unusual, in that the register vent opens together with an additional hole. The story is that Stubbins did a lot of experimenting to find the sizes and positions of holes that worked best.
The usual Bb improvement mechanisms open the next-to-top trill key (Mazzeo) or another hole in the same position. Steve Fox puts this mechanism on his instruments, as does Rossi.
Steve could certainly add it to your clarinet, though he has a long waiting list, and he says he doesn't like to make keys. He makes two versions, one connected to the thumb ring and another to the throat Ab key.
He told me he will put either version on if you order an instrument from him, though his preference is for the thumb ring version. For me, the Ab key version is better, since for the thumb ring version to work properly, you have to get your thumb all the way off the ring. This makes for a lot of extra movement with the most clumsy finger, and if your thumb touches the ring, you get a very fuzzy sound. It interferes with, for example, the passage in the Debussy Permiere Rapsodie where you rock back and forth between middle B and Bb.
Perry Ritter or Jimmy Yan could make a key, but they're not cheap. I think the best advice is from Sidney Forrest -- just blow harder. http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=34399&t=34365, http://www.ocr.woodwind.org/articles/Other%20Authors/gholson1.html.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-07-17 01:53
Many TKS, Ken, I had forgotten that we had somewhat discussed this before, prob. should have done some searching [before talking !], but your GREAT info on possible re-makers and the Omega is worth careful pursuit. The Stubbins - Kaspar patent, US 2,508,550 and its references cited, both US and foreign, and my Stubbins-Noblet are what I have to go on as of now, I suspect those Omegas are hard to find. I'll look into this with some of our best cl techs here in our Heartland. Again Thanx, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: kdennyclarinet
Date: 2004-07-17 02:51
What about using resonance fingerings on the Bb? I've found, on my clarinet and on some of my students' clarinets (R13s), that adding your left hand 2 and 3 and the left B/E lever offers a rich sounding Bb. I use this when the musical context requires you to go up and down over the break, otherwise I can get away with the sk (although the tone can jump out if you're not careful).
K. Denny
BME, MM, DMA
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2004-07-17 11:45
My Yamaha gives a great Bb with resonant fingering: Throat Bb + left 2&3 + right 1,2,3.
And for throat G# & A, I add left 2&3 + right 1&2.
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2004-07-17 23:51
Don, break open your piggy bank and buy yourself a "C" Clarinet. Or buy a C-Melody Sax (Tenor) and learn that. Easier on the brain.
Bob A
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-07-18 13:03
TKS for the resonamce fingerings, BBoarders, I've tried a few, but still dont like to employ so many fingers, the A + trill is easier for this old cat ! I considered playing the obbligato/malady on my good Sel Alto cl, in its key of C, no less !, but the sop's chalemeau speaks so well. I'll just have to keep eyes open for a Stubbins-Omega, and yes, Bob, break open my PPCo delivery-truck piggie bank. TKS to all for your comments. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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