The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: KristofferAA
Date: 2019-10-11 18:06
Attachment: IMG_20191011_153845.jpg (142k)
Attachment: IMG_20191011_153903.jpg (140k)
Attachment: IMG_20191011_154014.jpg (318k)
After my grandmothers passing, i have come in possession of a old clarinet (among other instruments), from the attic of a house that has been in my family for generations.
I do not play the clarinet myself, but i was interested in the history and age of it.
I took i to my local luthier, who told me that it was quite unusual, due to its short length and fingering system. But he could not really tell me much more, so he recommended that i post here, to maybe get some more insight.
My questions are then:
How old is it?
What "fingering system" does it use?
What "kind" of clarinet is it?
I can provide any further details or pictures if needed.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2019-10-11 20:08
Hello KristofferAA,
How long is the clarinet (when measured from tip to tip minus the mouthpiece)? From the photos, it appears to be an Eb clarinet...but the length measurement would tell us more.
I didn't see any maker marks, but I imagine the fingering would be considered "simple system." Hopefully one of the more knowledgeable folks on the board will help identify the age/make of the clarinet.
I'm intrigued by the right hand pinky-finger hole on the lower joint...perhaps that will help identify the age/make.
Does it have 9 pads, or 10 pads?
Fuzzy
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2019-10-12 02:59
That is definitely an old simple system, probably from the mid 1800s. Without knowing the length or pitch, it appears to be an Eb.
Fingering charts for simple/Albert system will be suitable for this, except it has no F/C key on the top joint (for RH finger 1) and to play low E-F#/upper B-C# you'd have to slide your LH pinky from one touchpiece to the other.
Fingering charts can be found here - scroll down to where it says "Basic Fingering Chart for Albert- and Oehler-System Clarinets" https://www.wfg.woodwind.org/clarinet/
The raised tonehole bush for the RH pinky is where we'd normally have the F/C key. This is a throwback to the Classical era when they also had a plain tonehole on a raised turning on the lower joint.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2019-10-12 02:59)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: KristofferAA
Date: 2019-10-12 03:05
Hello Fuzzy
The full length of the clarinet is 49 cm (19,2 inches).
From the bell to the top of the barrel it is 42 cm (16,5 inches).
There are 10 pads.
Also, the aforementioned attic is in northern Denmark, if that is of any use.
Thanks
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
|