 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Paula S
Date: 2012-10-29 16:56
Attachment: Image3.jpg (29k)
I thought I would get myself a Clarineo as a bit of a ruse. I know I have small hands but imagine my indignation when I find that I have trouble reaching the pinky keys!!!![[huh]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie11.gif)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-10-29 17:01
The original Lyons C clarinets had adjustable LH touchpieces which could be slid up and down the levers and held in place with a ratchet, but these new ones don't appear to be adjustable.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2012-10-29 21:51
Check out the keys, on my Lyons clarineo they are adjustable. The mouthpiece that came with mine wasn't very good, but I replaced it with a Rico Eb m/p and it actually sounds quite good.
Tony F.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-10-29 21:59
I can't see any evidence by looking at pictures of them that the LH levers are adjustable on the current model as they once were on the older versions.
I just looked up the site and there's a line that reads:
" “pinky” keys are easily within reach for smaller hands. "
http://www.clarineo.co.uk/meettheclarineo.asp
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Garth Libre
Date: 2012-10-30 01:47
The Clarineo has a peculiar "hollow sound" (kazoo like) and has genuine pitch problems, even when played by the product's inventor. That said, I bet it's easier to get some sound out of it, but harder to get a truly satisfying true clarinet sound. If I am to be totally honest, I'd love to have one if someone wants to give me one. It seems like fun.
Garth, 305-981-4705. garthlibre@yahoo.com
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Author: Timmy7930
Date: 2012-10-30 02:37
Don't worry about it. I started when i was 8 or 9 years old and when I was 11 I switched to bass an never had any problems reaching the pinkie keys.
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Author: Paula S
Date: 2012-10-30 10:03
Tony, I have looked and the LH pinky keys seem to have only one place where they can snap on and sit on the spring. Is yours actually the new Clarineo or the older Lyons C? Timmy I don't think I am going to grow into it as I am in my 40's ![[happy]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley12.gif) . I have learned to adapt to my own adult clarinets which I started playing when I was 12. I do intend to get some key modifcations as I am sure it will make playing much more comfortable for me.
I am just surprised that the Clarineo pinky keys seem more diffcult to reach than on an ordinary Bb clarinet, especially if you have tiny pinky fingers like mine.
Post Edited (2012-10-30 10:08)
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2012-10-30 10:33
Paula -
I bought an original Lyons clarinet and can't recommend it. The plastic keywork was both stiff and mushy, and I didn't like the sound even with a better (Eb) mouthpiece.
I recommend taking your regular Bb clarinet to a physical therapist who specializes in musicians. It's probably possible to reposition the thumb rest to make the mechanism fit your hands, and adjusting your hand position can usually take care of the rest.
If that's not enough, there are many repair techs who can lengthen the necessary keys. Flutists do it all the time, and it's rare to find a horn player who has NOT lengthened the valve touches (often with dimes brazed to them).
Ken Shaw
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Author: Campana
Date: 2012-10-30 11:14
Your potential pinky span is much greater than your actual pinky span. Your muscles normally adopt a length equal to their normal regular use. Think of a ballerina bringing a straight leg up to the vertical position, takes months of muscle stretching. Try easing your fingers apart with the fingers of the other hand and holding for 20 secs a time.
I'm 80 and when I started to learn the guitar 6 months ago I couldn't stretch my fingers enough to play most chords but I can now.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2012-10-30 12:01
Hi Paula,
I have one of the original Lyons C instruments. On mine the 2 l/h pinky keys have about 2 cm of adjustment and the thumb-rest has 5 positions. The keys are certainly a bit on the mushy side, and the tone with the original m/p was a bit like a duck. With the Rico Eb it's quite good. There are some tuning issues with it, I'd never use it for serious work but I've used it with 2 guitars for some fun stuff and it can sound quite good. Not a substitute for a half-decent C clarinet though.
Tony F.
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Author: Paula S
Date: 2012-10-30 14:04
Attachment: Image5.jpg (53k)
Thanks Tony.
Ken/Campana I have thought about having an assessment for years and I have tried every hand position imaginable. The difficulty is that if I stretch my little finger further it drags my third right hand finger pad off the corresponding tone hole so the best I can do is just touch the tip of the long E/B key. The stretch for the F/C natural and F/C sharp is not a problem as the stretch is lateral and down. I think I need a longer little finger or maybe a longer or more lateral E/B key might help. ;-)
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Author: Campana
Date: 2012-10-30 14:40
...The difficulty is that if I stretch my little finger further it drags my third right hand finger pad off the corresponding tone hole...
This is caused by unyielding muscle. Just try a regime of stretching the muscle between the ring finger and the pinky. I've practically doubled the movement that I now have available...in weeks.
Disclaimer. I am only talking about otherwise healthy hands, no arthritis etc.
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Author: Campana
Date: 2012-10-30 14:47
...The difficulty is that if I stretch my little finger further it drags my third right hand finger pad off the corresponding tone hole...
This is caused by unyielding muscle. Just try a regime of stretching the muscle between the ring finger and the pinky. I've practically doubled the movement that I now have available...in weeks.
Disclaimer. I am only talking about otherwise healthy hands, no arthritis etc
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Author: Paula S
Date: 2012-10-30 15:46
I have tried quite a few stretching exercises before in a desperate attempt to reach an octave on the piano which I can just about do. However Campana your last comment about unyielding muscle is useful as I looked at my hand and noticed that I have kept my third finger pretty flat in an attempt to cover the third tone hole. Therefore the non-yielding bit is actually bone as I have locked the joint on my third finger, which is pushing my pinky away from the long side keys. I expect I would have started playing like that years ago as the smaller pads on my fingers would have needed to be flat to cover the tone holes. I have just tried bending my 3rd finger and raising my knuckles and it does bring my pinky closer to the keys. I am having to use the tip of my 3rd finger to cover the tone hole which is not ideal but it seems to work! I'll give it a try so many thanks for that ;-)
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