The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: BassetHorn
Date: 2005-06-30 16:12
Hello everyone, I have a question about Leblanc’s low C fingerings, perhaps those of you who own its low C bass, basset horn, or contras can answer for me?
A picture of Leblanc low C bass clarinet (430S) shows that it has thumb keys for the low C and C# notes, and a left pinkie key for low D. Is this correct? Do you know if these are single-action keys (you only need to press one key and the note comes out)? Or do they require pressing another key in combination to in order sound the note?
And is this automated mechanism on all Leblanc low C horns?
Thanks.
Willy
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: larryb
Date: 2005-06-30 16:28
On my Leblanc basset horn (c. 1962) activating the low C thumb key closes all the higher pads up to F. Each subsequent not higher does the same. only need to touch one key to play the note.
Have to make sure that the bell is positioned correctly to securely close all the pads (especially F and E) because the C pad is located on the bell and its connection to the thumb mechanism rod is variable to a degree.
Low C#, D, Eb are all pinky keys.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jen L.
Date: 2005-06-30 17:19
I have a Leblanc low-C bass, circa 1973. There are thumb keys for the C and C#, and both left and right pinkie keys for the D--the right pinkie key is above the Eb key.
The C and C# are not single-action, but the D technically is. However, I've never been able to use it that way, I find that I always need to finger a low E on the other hand. I've got annoyingly small hands, and I just can't get the leverage to close the D without any leaking with that much of a stretch. Using the E fingering on the left hand, in particular, makes it a lot easier.
Hope this helps,
Jen L.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
|