 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ed Lowry
Date: 2009-10-19 17:41
I have a simple system 13 key, four ring and four roller clarinet that belonged to my wife's grandfather. It has a French-looking logo and I can make out Fernand as a first name, but the best I can do for the second is Cha?elain, and I'm not entirely sure about that. Nice rooster (or hen) at the top of the logo.
It may been made for an English-speaking market since "B flat" is embossed in the lower joint above the LP designation. There's an "11" where a serial number might be at the bottom joint above the bell, and below the logo on the bell are the letters Bte S G D G (or SGDC) above France, also embossed on the bell.
Anyone know anything about this make?
Anyone know anything about this make?
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Author: Ed Lowry
Date: 2009-10-21 16:37
Thanks for the posts. Search on Fernand Chapelain returned some interesting results.
This clarinet has a nice tone; however, I'm not sure I could ever get used to the old fingering system.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2009-10-21 16:43
Ed, you'd be surprised how quickly you can learn the fingerings. If you play recorder or oboe, you'll be right at home.
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Author: Ed Lowry
Date: 2009-10-22 05:14
Well, I never thought I'd be able to transpose at sight or read bass clef and transpose that from C to Bb either! I'll look for an on-line fingering chart and give it a whirl.
This clarinet was half of an unmatched set -- the A clarinet owned by my grandfather-in-law is of similar vintage, and stamped C Fischer NY. It doesn't have the handy right-hand index finger trill on the C#-G# key. I wonder why this seemingly useful addition is not found on modern clarinets.
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Author: chris moffatt
Date: 2009-10-22 11:26
BTW that instrument is an Albert system horn. A true "simple system" (british terminology I believe) wouldn't have any rings on the upper stack. Chapelain was one of the many makers at La Couture, but I guess you already found that.
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Author: Ed Lowry
Date: 2009-10-23 03:29
Thanks, Chris. I always thought Albert and Simple were synonymous. Am I correct that an Oehler clarinet is a further refinement of the Albert system?
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Author: chris moffatt
Date: 2009-10-23 23:39
Ed: the system known as "simple system" is in fact an early Albert design, an improvement on the earlier 13-key clarinets that were descendants of the Muller clarinet. A true 'simple system' has the patent Csharp key. Albert then went on to improve the original "simple system" primarily by adding the Barret action (two ring thingy on the top stack and rollers on the pinky keys. The oehler is basically the same with added refinements (sometimes including a keyed vent in the bell) - Chris P knows more about that than I do. The Albert system was further improved by several manufacturers esp. Selmer who built a modified Albert with 6 rings and a number of other improvements. So when we in the USA say 'Albert system' we could mean any of these including the "simple system". When the British say 'Albert system' they generally mean any Albert except the 13-key "simple" system. BTW Ed Hall played Albert most of his life but picked up a Hammerscmidt Oehler late in his career....
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