 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-03-25 18:45
Hello
I have an alto clarinet and it doesn't have the small hole in the first finger of the left hand key, like most alto and bass clarinets have.
I managed to get some of the notes to play and the altisimo was very hard or almost impossible, although this alto is still in poor condition so it's impossible to really judge how the altisimo will play after an overhaul.
My question is, will drilling a small hole in the key (and maybe adding an extension for the finer to press) help with the altisimo, or are some horns designed to not need it and wil not benefit from it?
Also, if doing this will help, does it have to be in the middle of the tone hole? Drilling it a little lower than the middle will be more comfortable to play.
Thanks.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2006-03-25 22:43
I've frequently added a hole (and a tab extension) to bass and alto clarinets lacking them, as standard procedure for overhauling these (typically older) instruments. Funny you should ask..........just two days ago I completed an alto clarinet restoration, something of a rush job in which I forgot to add the half-hole! I expected the altissimo do be difficult to produce or out of tune, but neither was the case with this particular instrument (a Malerne-made Penzel-Mueller). Based on what I've observed, then, I'd say: for a bass clarinet, always add the half-hole and tab; but for alto clarinets, I'm no longer so sure it's needed!
How I do it is to drill a hole exactly in the center of the key -- that's the easy part. The trickier part is putting a stable hole in the center of the pad -- for which I have a technique, the details of which I'd be happy to provide off-line if anyone cares. I also add an extension (tab) which I make out of an old clarinet thumbrest, cutting off one leg of the "L" and shaping the remaining piece's side to fit the contour of the existing key's lower rim -- this I solder on, file and polish. I suppose you could drill the hole off-center if desired, as long as you don't get too near the edge of the tonehole (which could jeopardize getting a good seal between pad and tonehole).
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2006-03-26 01:57
Interesting, Dave, as I may have suggested it to CB, no trial however. I would think that the hole [small] location could be on the upper portion of the touch and it be played like on oboe by just "rolling" down the 1st finger to clear the hole, but still closing the pad. LUCK, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-03-26 03:44
Thank you very much David and Don.
I will do an overhaul on the alto first and then if have any problems with altisimo will make the half hole.
David, I'll contact you about what you described.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2006-03-26 14:14
Or you might try a half-hole drill! (similar to a sky hook)
Bob Draznik
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