 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: cpark
Date: 2008-01-07 01:11
I've heard that German System clarinets have a mechanism that opens a vent key when playing throat Bb rather than using the register tube to play that note.
Is this true? If so can anyone explain the mechanism or post pics? If it is true I wonder why it's not adopted into the french system.
Thanks!
Chris
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2008-01-07 03:43
My 'standard Oehler system' Uebel clarinet does not have any such mechanisms -- throat Bb is the same 'pinch' fingering as on a standard Boehm system instrument, and it sounds fine. It does lack the 'side trill key plus A key' option, but that really isn't needed. So although I think you're correct about the more sophisticated German clarinets (e.g. Wurlitzer, Hammerschmidt) having some sort of Bb resonance mechanisms, not all German system instruments do. I realize this doesn't answer your question, sorry!
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2008-01-07 04:30
The vent hole for the improved Bb is fairly common on the Reform Boehm clarinets, but not on the German/Austrian systems of the very same makers. It works in a similar mannar to the automatic double octave mechanism for saxophones. The down side of it is that it is a bit sensitive and can fall out of adjustment, and it adds weight to the top of the clarinet which disturbs the balance of the mouthpiece. ...IMO.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2008-01-07 10:24
The Hammershmidts of Austria had a very complex looking Bb mechanism thingy that may have been similar to a McInthyre, however I don't know for sure. Other German top of the line horns such as the Wurlitzer do not.
...........Paul Aviles
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-01-07 11:37
Some full Oehlers I've seen listed on the famous auction site have five side keys with a side throat Bb, but they're few and far between and more often than not they only have the usual four.
On my Yamaha Oehler, the throat Bb (sp+A) isn't particularly great - but it's the only throat Bb.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Firebird
Date: 2008-01-07 12:13
I believe there is a similar adaption for the Boehm system, done by a gentleman in Switzerland that goes by the name of Hagemann (some kind soul please confirm the name). I've seen a few of those clarinets go by on the famous auction site.
Chan
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2008-01-07 13:09
Hi, cpark, you have asked about one of our favorite discussion subjects, so a Search of our archives is my first suggestion. "Throat [pinch, mid-staff] Bb" and similar wordings will retrieve a number of thread-posts. There HAVE been at least 5 "solutions" to this poor-sounding note for our FR/AM clarinets, which have been described/discussed authoritatively in ICA Journal articles over the years, principlally the Leblanc, Stubbins, McIntyre, Galper which achieved a modest success, but closer attention to the the register vent size, location, and depth of intrusion into the bore by cl makers provided sufficient improvement [IMHO] and the mechanical complexities needed caused we players to abandon the improvements financially. These solutions have found "a place for us" on saxophones and the larger cls, where the need is even greater. These are my AM thots, I hope and am sure others will have more to say. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2008-01-07 13:30
I forgot to mention Mazzeo, sorry, Rosario. All of these I mentioned, and others, are "recorded" in expired patents [#s if requested] so may still be available on special order instruments. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: wrowand
Date: 2008-01-07 15:12
I have a few questions for those of you who play the german system. The throat-tone G# and A keys are not linked are they? If this is the case, does one normally press the G# key as well as the A when playing throat B-flat? What about when playing A?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-01-07 16:07
The throat G# and A are completely independant, so only open the A key on it's own for A and the G# key for G# - it does mean a bit more thought when going around the throat notes as you make sure you release the G# for A so the A doesn't go sharp, and not to hit the G# too early when playing A-G#.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2008-01-10 06:10
The gentleman in Switzerland is Rene Hagmann and he has his workshop in Geneva. He will indeed make this key on any clarinet you want, as well as a bunch of other mechanicalinnovations. I once saw him redesigning a clarinet for a player who had lost two fingers!! Mr Hagmann was also involved in designing the keywork for the Buffet basset horn.
My Buffet basset clarinet has this mechanism, but to be honest the throat B-flat isn't considerably improved. Maybe that's why they don't it on the standard soprano clarinets?
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