 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2014-12-30 21:23
I'll bet a fair number of readers have thought about a product for our beloved instrument, not yet available in the market, that would be nice to have available for purchase.
Some of us have probably even thought about bringing such ideas to market. And I can completely understand that especially baring at least, such device's patent pending status, that readers here may be reluctant to yet share with the mases the ideas/concepts they've come up with.
I have a couple myself; I'll share one with you I have no desire to produce, but would love someone else to create, or perhaps more likely, rather than "reinvent the wheel," find existing products in the market to repurpose to create, or even better, show me that it exists.
I'd love to see a small battery operated device with an internal exhaust fan, that can form a seal to the [assembled] clarinet barrel, and strongly inject air backwards through the instrument (but not so strongly as to do damage), for the purposes of draining water. The same device could be used on the outside of the instrument to tone holes, naturally open ones or not, to further clear out water.
Inspiration
Frustrated with notes like throat A not playing due to moisture, one solution of course might be upgrading my pads. Another, might be swabbing and blowing out tone holes (which I do). But I found a third way in taking a small competely clean shop vac, reversing its hose to the exhuast side, and attaching a concentrating cone adapter to the exposed hose end, that in turn fits into the [assembled] clarinet bell--roughly following the bell's expanding [internal] contour. Having removed the mouthpiece, and stuck the open barrel end under my chin so as to make a seal, it cleans the instrument of water, especially when I cover some tone holes to add air concentration to open hole(s). The hose is kept in place with my knees, as I would expect might be the case in a portable version of same.
I'd love to see this made portable enough for a gig bag, probably resembling a flash light given its need to contain batteries. Of couse its the stuff of performance intermissions, that can't compete with the quiet, if less effective swabbing.
====
Okay, that's my addition to the product space. What's yours: a perfectly balanced, everlasting, beautifully sounding permanent reed for $2 notwithstanding.
Post Edited (2014-12-30 21:26)
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Author: Jim22
Date: 2014-12-30 21:39
How about an electronic/mechanical gizmo that corrects note pitch in real time by modifying the bore volume? I know I'm supposed to do it by myself, but easier said than done.
Jim C.
CT, USA
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2014-12-30 23:06
Jim, I hear you on pitch, and David, I'llb et you have the talent, but just haven't tapped it as adequately as you'd like yet.
Might you guys or others have product suggestions for something that might be more, how shall I properly say this: "doable in the shorter term?"
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Author: Barry Vincent
Date: 2014-12-31 01:12
I'd like to see a company that specialises in fashioning quality cases for wind instruments so as for example, I could put in an order for a double case for my two Amati Klaslice full Boehm Clarinets. All that would be required from me would be to send the exact lengths of the instruments and what type of additional spaces required for accessories.
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2014-12-31 04:06
I imagine Mr. Vincent that the Wiseman case company, who you may be familiar with, would probably have a case to fit both of your clarinets, if not be willing to customize you a case.
It's just a matter of how much money you'd be willing to spend. I do appreciate that your instruments may have Eb capabilities and longer dimensions a result, although I can't speak to whether they separate into a lower and upper joint (although I belive they do.)
I figure if Wiseman sells cases to fit Basset Clarinets, you'll probably find something in the clarinet, let alone other instrument's collections that works well.
http://www.wisemancases.com/cases.html
As an alternative, and one you probably also know, the board's search can bring you to lots of people who've fashioned their own cases, or used other companies to make custom ones for them.
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Author: Barry Vincent
Date: 2014-12-31 05:51
Hi WhitePlainsDave. Thanks for the feedback. I didn't know about the Wiseman company. And yes. it all depends on how much I'd be willing to pay.
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Author: maxopf
Date: 2014-12-31 05:59
How about a neck strap that attaches easily and has a quick release for swapping between A and Bb clarinet? (Unless that already exists and I'm not aware of it.)
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Author: Barry Vincent
Date: 2014-12-31 06:04
Hi again WhitePlainsDave. I just checked the Wiseman site. They only make tubular cases but I assume they'd also make a traditional case to order. But as you've said , the prices are 'heavy'
I guess I may end up getting off my lazy bottom and visit the local sports shop that sells firearms and see what kinds of aluminium gun cases they have that I could use to fashion a case myself.
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Author: TomS
Date: 2014-12-31 06:05
I'd like to see a company that has precisely measured all parameters of all popular and famous MPs, including some played by clarinetists of fame. These numbers are stored in a machine and the machine sits in the corner of your favorite music store. Slide your credit card in, select the material (plastic, wood or various hard rubber formulations), the brand and model and any custom modifier. Step back and watch with fascination as the machine constructs your order. You could get a Vandoren B45 or a copy of a Henri Chedville played by Bonade. All done in 10 minutes. Any MP could be returned after a trial period and it could be refaced, modified or restocked for an additional charge.
Same goes for a barrel or bell ...
Actually, I'd look askance at such a machine ... I don't know if a machine has the finesse to totally perform all functions (including play testing) and I wouldn't want our MP artists selling pencils on the street corner. The creeping singularity ... computers/robots will replace all of us.
One big EMP and it's the end of such technology. Some will say "good riddance". All woodwind stuff made by hand again. Expensive, but romantic.
Tom
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2014-12-31 06:10
Maybe one of these, only adjustable
http://www.judostore.co.uk/bja-lanyards.html
with easy release pinch connectors, and two portions of the lanyard closer to the clarinet, coupled with 2 Stephen Fox
http://www.sfoxclarinets.com/Accessories.html#clar acc
neckstrap ring mounts, screw or ring mount style.
Like it!
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2014-12-31 06:11
A friend of mine, a flute player, bought a gun case for her piccolo and flute. The case comes packed with 1/2" cubes of foam so that you can custom make the spaces within the case to fit EXACTLY what you want to carry. She has custom spaces within the case for the "other" items she also carries around. It's a hard metal case and the cushioning is excellent.
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Author: maxopf
Date: 2014-12-31 06:25
WhitePlainsDave, that would actually work very well. Question is, though, would the buckle make a loud click when putting it on?
I'm trying to think of a similar design that wouldn't make as much noise...
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2014-12-31 06:38
Roxann: I recently bought just such a double sided egg crate foam case where I needed to fit an "A" and "Beefer" in a small footprint, where my case could be taller than most. I do agree that such case manufacturers might be smart to repurpose expressly for the music business. I've heard you should cover/replace the foam as it gets brittle over time, but the manufacturer would probably need to retool a little (maybe make it look less like a gun case was something I heard when I posted here about it), and the price can't be beat.
Tom: To further your point, do you think someday, acoustically designed 3D printer filament (a.k.a. ink) will exist, and mouthpiece manufacturers will have their mouthpieces scanned by a super gazillion point scanner whose dimensions are electronically stored, and sold for a fee to you and I, who will print them with slightly more advanced 3D printers?
Do you think someday we'll all design our own mouthpieces on computer and be able to test their accoustics before "printing" them?
I suspect manufacturers will argue that custom finishing and materials will always make their product more than the averaging of scanned images of any one make and model produced in plastic, but who knows what the future holds.
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2014-12-31 06:41
Good point Max. Maybe the push and turn to lock/unlock type connector (think child proof pill bottles) is yet a better option.
I've seen these on inline fuse connectors.
http://www.boatelectricals.co.uk/switchgear/fuses--fuse-boxes/d5-1-3262-glass-cartridge-in-line-fuse-holder.html
Post Edited (2014-12-31 07:07)
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Author: maxopf
Date: 2014-12-31 09:17
Attachment: FullSizeRender-5.jpg (337k)
My friend and I just came up with an idea for a ball-and-socket type neckstrap adaptor. Instead of a hook at the end of the neck strap, there would be a small metal ball that would sit inside a socket attached to the clarinet. The ball would be held in place just by the weight of the clarinet and the tension in the neck strap. When you need to swap instruments, you'd just lift the instrument up and the ball would fall right out of the socket, then you'd grab the next instrument, hook the ball underneath the socket and allow the instrument's weight to hold it in place.
(I hope that if my description made no sense, the attached diagrams will.)
It would allow for easy, one-handed attachment.
Post Edited (2014-12-31 13:31)
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Author: TomS
Date: 2014-12-31 16:50
Tom: To further your point, do you think someday, acoustically designed 3D printer filament (a.k.a. ink) will exist, and mouthpiece manufacturers will have their mouthpieces scanned by a super gazillion point scanner whose dimensions are electronically stored, and sold for a fee to you and I, who will print them with slightly more advanced 3D printers?
Do you think someday we'll all design our own mouthpupieces on computer and be able to test their accoustics before "printing" them?
I suspect manufacturers will argue that custom finishing and materials will always make their product more than the averaging of scanned images of any one make and model produced in plastic, but who knows what the future holds.
Dave: Yup! Backun is 3D printing prototype devices. But, I would kinda hate to see this, in some ways. I'd like to keep humans that can actually hand-make stuff. One day, I think all this technology stuff will crash (from various scenarios) and we will be back to the stone age. I don't wanna give up playing because all the computers have been hacked or an EMP has rendered all semiconductors useless. We won't be sending each other electronic messages, ergo more time to make music and love.
Tom
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2014-12-31 21:05
I agree Tom. 3D printing and prototyping/design of [some] mouthpieces is just a matter of time. Whether it will or should replace the materials chosen by, and workmanship of humans--that's another thing that I think would happen, if at all, much further down the time horizon.
Lelia: why shouldn't our mouthpieces "accessorize" our ebay pink clarinets? I for one have been inspired by your idea to put a name brand designer's logo on my mouthpieces (wink).
Max: that is a beautiful thing. Aside from the strechy velcro strap that Tyler recommended in your other recent post, in my opinion, neckstraps have always traded support for the ability for the clarinet to be flexible in its angle and distance from the mouth. Add the minutest (MY NOOTEST) degree of flexibilty in the strap and I think you have a winner. There's no reason that device couldn't be made in plastic.
Reach out to Steven Fox http://www.sfoxclarinets.com/ if you need help.
(I bear no financial relationship with Mr. Fox.)
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Author: MSK
Date: 2015-01-01 06:01
I just want an affordable single case with a shoulder strap (like protec or gator), but with compartments for two barrels, and sufficient internal storage for reeds and tuner. I hate how so many cases have gone to exterior pockets that make the case tip over. Even my Buffet attache lacks compartments for two barrels.
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Author: derf5585
Date: 2015-01-01 06:57
WhitePlainsDave
I agree Tom. 3D printing and prototyping/design of [some] mouthpieces is just a matter of time.
And 3D printing of an entire clarinet.
P.S. can a 3D printer print money?
fsbsde@yahoo.com
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2015-01-01 20:20
With tongue in cheek:
Actually derf5585. The reproduction of currency, from what I've seen, is done with the computer screen, not its printer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT8TcuwLJPA
===================
Margaret:
"I just want an affordable single case with a shoulder strap (like protec or gator), but with compartments for two barrels, and sufficient internal storage for reeds and tuner. I hate how so many cases have gone to exterior pockets that make the case tip over. Even my Buffet attache lacks compartments for two barrels."
If this doesn't come with a shoulder strap, they can be purchased for a song on that "auction site whose name I don't recall." It appears to be shoulder strap attachable.
http://www.opticsplanet.com/tz-case-dura-tech-double-sided-pistol-case-13x9-5x6-25in.html
Some have suggested to watch/cover the foam over the long term.
Room for your music on one side (no need for exterior pockets) and enough room for all the barrels, reeds, tuners, and what not (and of course your instrument) you would want to keep in a case.
One caveat: You may need to remove a partition between each side fof the case if your bell is wider at its bottom than 1/2 the width of the case. These partitions are usually cardboard. I had to do this and the task was trivial, requiring no tools.
Post Edited (2015-01-01 20:38)
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Author: maxopf
Date: 2015-01-01 23:56
Barry Vincent: I just happened to come across this. Someone figured out how to easily modify the Protec double case to hold full-Boehm instruments. You do have to give up 2 of the 4 barrel slots though.
http://www.stevemoffett.biz/blog/previous/4
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Author: Barry Vincent
Date: 2015-01-02 01:14
Hi Maxopf, Thank you for that. Just checked it out. Now that IS interesting , and for only $US 80 for the original case (plus postage).
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Author: davyd
Date: 2015-01-02 01:42
Back in the days when I played bass clarinet regularly, I sometimes wished for a bass clarinet in C, so I could play bass clef parts without transposing (I can already read bass clef). But it most probably wouldn't be used often enough to justify its no doubt high cost.
A bass clarinet in A in the intermediate price range would be nice too, but again, probably not worthwhile given its infrequent use.
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Author: Alex K.
Date: 2015-01-03 22:40
Me, i would want a thing that greases the corks instantly,like an adjustable ring that goes on the corks and you just have to twist the handle and voila! the thing is greased perfectly. The only problem is how to store it.
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2015-01-03 23:19
Alex, I think your on to something. Get yourself one of those circus flashlights that doesn't merely light, but spins when you energize it, devise a spring loaded adjustable size tip that inserts slightly into the bore, whose outside contacts the cork, and does the aforementioned spinning. Work with grease creators and those in the know about clarinet tenons to create a more liquified grease to insert into the device on occasion, that is pushed up to the spinning tip.
Disconnect from the clarinet and the device's tip goes into hiding. "Ideally greased" can be a subjective function of how many seconds you let the device spin.
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Author: derf5585
Date: 2015-01-03 23:23
THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BASS CLARINET IN A
from
http://www.europeanclarinetassociation.org/uploads/media/Bass_Clarinet_in_A_-_Keith_Bowen.pdf
Bass clarinets in other keys, notably C and A, also exist, but are very rare (in contrast to the regular A clarinet, which is quite common in classical music).
from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_clarinet
fsbsde@yahoo.com
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2015-01-04 04:08
Here's something else I'd like to see. I know it's a bit of a pipe dream (if not done with a pipe cleaner.)
Discussion exists on the board about lowering the pitch of a Bb clarinet by inserting a string or small diameter cylindrical device (e.g. a dowel) in the bore.
This has the effect of decreasing the size of the bore, and as a result lower pitch, ideally to that of an "A" clarinet.
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=352554&t=352554
By no means is it perfect in intonation across the range of a clarinet, nor a one size fits all type thing across different clarinets.
Fast foward to a kit, featuring various stiff objects of such differing size and material that attach to a device not unlike dinner plate hanging hardware:
http://hooksandhangers.com/images/plate_%20hangers/butterpat02.gif
This harware hooks to the bell.
And by the way, "yes," I think it's reasonable to assume that if this was viable it would have already been created as a cheaper solution than buying an "A" clarinet. ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif)
Post Edited (2015-01-04 04:09)
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The Clarinet Pages
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![[whoa]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie10.gif)
