 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Kay S.
Date: 2000-09-20 04:44
What is an Albert System Clarinet? I see this on e-bay occasonally.
Thanks.
Kay
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-09-20 16:37
Kay, they have been much discussed here and on "earlyclarinet@egroups.com", so search our Forum etc for information. They of course were the "standard" clar. for years, gradually replaced by the Boehm's in the 1850-1930 time period. Very interesting history! Don
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Author: Tim
Date: 2000-09-20 21:29
What Don didn't mention, but is important for you to know, is what is meant by "system". The "system" refers to the key mechanism and the fingerings used to play the instrument. Albert system clarinets are not what people today play (though the similar Euler system is still widely used in Germany and eastern Europe). What this means is that you shouldn't bid on a Albert system clarinet posted on eBay thinking you might obtain a cheap playable clarinet.
These instruments continued to be made long after the introduction of the modern Boehm because they were simpler and cheaper to make. Consequentially, even their antique value is minimal since most were cheap mass market instruments (there are of course exceptions).
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-09-20 22:19
According to "The Clarinet" by F Geoffrey Rendall, the Boehm and Albert systems were both introduced in the 1840s. However the Albert was a logical development of the then current Mueller system while the Boehm was a new and different development. Experienced players would have been more likely for several decades to pick the Albert since it was based on what they were already familiar with. The Boehm was especially slow to catch on outside of France. This is one of the reasons why old Alberts are so plentiful.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-09-20 22:29
Well said, Tim, thanks. I believe Muller was German, Albert who made substantial improvements was Belgian, and Sax with Klose, I believe, developed the ring-key structure, the basis of our Boehm system. All this is excellently discussed in Grove's Dictionary ----, available in most libraries [and soon on-line here, possibly] and in our "good books, with Clarinet in the title". Happy reading, Don
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