 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: tdinap
Date: 2011-01-28 01:14
I've been thinking about having a left-hand alternate Ab/Eb key added to my Bb clarinet for awhile now; having played a bass that had one, I found it to be a really great addition (especially for improvisation).
However, I have now talked to at least two reputable repair techs who either refused to do it or strongly advised against it, since it's a difficult procedure, is "quite expensive", and the need for it can be "taught away". I understand that you can teach yourself to slide enough to get by, but in the long run, I think it'd be worth it to have the key.
Has anyone ever had this key added? Is it even a somewhat common occurrence? I know of people who have had it removed because it got in the way, and people who bought clarinets that had one initially, but never heard of it actually being added.
Tom
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Author: 2cekce ★2017
Date: 2011-01-28 01:36
I had it added to my yamaha a few years back only because I wanted it but found I got used to it very quickly and now find that I use it as much as the right. I dont have the yamaha anymore but upgraded to a professional model that came with it anyway. I love having it. as for a cost it may run a couple hundred depends on who you go to I suppose and thats mainly for the key(s) themselves as you would have to replace or alter one key to make room for the additional key. If you are good with your hands you could install them yourself.
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2011-01-28 03:56
I've also been wondering about this. I've been looking into clarinets, and would love to have this key, and not have to pay for an overly priced clarinet that already has it!
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: Clarimeister
Date: 2011-01-28 04:08
Chris, where would you go about getting that installed or purchasing that key on your own to do it yourself? I'm interested as well. Now, I know many people here would just say, you really don't need that key, but I really want it. haha!
Post Edited (2011-01-28 04:08)
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Author: John Peacock
Date: 2011-01-28 06:52
This key doubtless has its uses, but I have to say I dislike it: I feel it makes an instrument look ugly, with too much metal accumulated on one side. One of the aesthetic virtues of of the clarinet is how simple its mechanism is (a marked contrast with the over-engineered mess that is the saxophone, e.g.). Klose's original design was such a brilliant inspiration and it seems a shame to mess with it.
Also, more practically, in some cases the extra Ab/Eb key is placed so high that you can hit it when you don't mean to. Buffet seems to be the worst offender in this respect. If you must have this key, I always thought the Howarth implementation was the most successfully unobtrusive - although Chris P's above solution is even better from the point of view of minimal visual damage to the instrument.
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2011-01-28 11:06
I made an Eb key for my set that is similar in placement to the ones ChrisP posted. My work is not nearly as beautiful as that, though.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-01-28 15:28
Clarimeister, on the Peter Eaton clarinet I kept the original LH F/C lever and put it aside (wrapped in tissue paper and tucked into the case) if the owner wanted the clarinet reverted back to its former guise.
The doubled LH F/C and Ab/Eb key was made from existing parts (from scrapped B&H keys) but the key barrel, connection pieces (feet) and the steel shaft had to be made from scratch. The Ab/Eb lever has a piece on the end that raises the Ab/Eb pad cup arm on the underside, so it does mean sticking a piece of silencing material to the underside of the Ab/Eb cup arm which is hardly a significant alteration.
Here's the more traditional style LH Ab/Eb lever I fitted to my Yamaha alto clarinet (before tidying it all up) - this needed a connecting arm soldered to the Ab/Eb key as seen on bass clarinets: http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/download.html?1,2091/AltoClarEbLever.jpg
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2011-01-28 15:32)
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2011-01-28 17:02
It is just ridiculous for clarinets to not have a LH Eb key.
How much sense would it make to omit the RH C/F key?
It is not, however, a panacea: you still have to un-learn to use it.
Another horror for me: having to play something complex trained on the LH Eb key on a borrowed instrument.
Oh, and Chris P. You do lovely work!
Bob Phillips
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Author: donald
Date: 2011-01-28 18:11
Really nice work Chris P! I really have never been comfortable with the traditional placement of this key, and find myself wondering if the E flat keys on my Festival pair can be re-shaped (or new keys built) so they are placed down there...
Did you ever think of producing a "kit" for this?
Again- "on-ya" (a traditional NZ congratulation)
dn
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-01-28 18:25
You could have the existing LH Ab/Eb lever remade so it's like the LH low D lever on basses and Buffet basset horns (provided it's the kind that runs on the outside of the LH levers instead of in between). It will still be mounted between the existing set of pillars, but the touchpiece will be situated just below the LH F/C touchpiece and the arm will be much straighter to drop it down to the level of the LH F/C touch.
If the LH Ab/Eb lever is mounted in between the LH levers (as is the case on older Buffets, Selmers and Leblancs), maybe a 2nd touchpiece can be added to it (from the underside) so there isn't a huge gap left once the existing LH Ab/Eb touchpiece is removed. Then you have a choice of LH Ab/Eb touches!
Anyone capable of doing keywork alterations should be able to make anything to your specification, but like most keywork conversions they will be made specifically for the instrument. It shouldn't be difficult to make an after market doubled LH F/C and Ab/Eb lever for Buffets, but it will always require fitting and adjusting.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2011-01-28 20:38
Kalmen Opperman showed me an R13 with Chris's solution, put on by his brother George. I thought it was a great idea. If it works on 100% of flutes, it will work on clarinet.
I've never found that cross-hatching on the key surface (as on the Eaton) helped much. I have short little fingers and would probably need the new key touch to wrap partly around the F/C lever and perhaps be concave.
The Buffet Prestige models have the alternate key in the usual position key, except that it's outed outside the E/B key and curves over. It can be removed easily, leaving only a minor change in the original look.
The alternative key eases a number of note sequences that otherwise require sliding. The clarion Ab minor broken arpeggio is nearly unplayable without it, as are the clarion sequences D#-C#-B-D# and G#-B-D#.
For full duplication, and no "you can't get there from here" situations, you'll also need a duplicate C#/G# key for the right little finger. The Mazzeo Personal Model Selmer had this, operated by levers and springs attached to the Ab/Eb key, but it was so complex that the key took the little finger of Godzilla to operate.
Ken Shaw
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Author: ErnieK
Date: 2011-01-30 20:48
I had Leblanc Opus that had this key, unfortunately, I sold it. I'm now looking for some one to modify my R-13 with this feature. Any suggestions as to who does this kind of work?
Ernie Kundert
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-01-30 21:28
It's become more common for makers to mount the LH Ab/Eb lever to run on the outside (with the touchpiece curling over the top as with oboe/d'amore/cor LHF keys) so players can remove it or have it removed without there being a huge gap left in between the other LH levers when it's off as the existing LH levers are of the standard design.
This style of LH Ab/Eb key is much easier to fit than the earlier version as it can be mounted on one of the existing rod screws (such as the LH E/B lever) and a small tab or a hollow connection piece is soldered to the Ab/Eb pad cup. It also means the RH F#/C# key won't need a longer linkage piece, no need for a differently designed LH F#/C# lever and the LH F#/C# lever has the 'normal' amount of travel.
An oboe d'amore LHF key should be the right length and have the right shape for this application, though will obviously need some modifications done to make it fit and work as it ought to, so perhaps contact an oboe specialist to see if they can do this kind of work.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: gigaday
Date: 2012-06-09 16:49
Having read this thread and in particular Chris P's comment of 2011-01-30 21:28 I am encouraged into thinking that doing this mod should not be too hard to do on my B&H Edgware.
I am thinking that if I could get hold of spare keys for the left hand E/B (key 35) and F#/C# (key 36), it would be within my ability to do as Chris suggests to put an extra key on one of the pivot rods etc. And I would not have to risk trashing my instrument as I would still have the original keys to put back.
I have looked on the Internet to see if I can find a source of spare keys but have had no luck so far. Anyone got any ideas where I might find some?
Tony
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2012-06-09 19:20
Dawkes (or their spares organisation Windcraft) in Maidenhead near London have quite a lot of spare B&H keys bought when the factory closed down.
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Author: Claireinet
Date: 2012-06-09 20:00
Wow Chris, that is absolutly gorgeous.
I too would love the extra key but as someone mentioned earlier, my nightmare would be to have to play something on a borrowed instrument that did not have one installed.
On a sidenote: I ought to clean my clarinets more often...
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2012-06-10 04:08
Claireinet,
You are absolutely right. I once had to audition a Bb transcription of the Waltz of the Flowers. A noodle on my full Boehm clarinet and a colossal learning project on the borrowed 17/6 clarinet I was using when the FB was in the shop at audition time.
I lost the audition.
It's silly. To be civilized, you have to own a backup to your 18/6.
Bob Phillips
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