 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: RainbowDash
Date: 2021-04-02 01:01
Hi folks
I’m sure you get a lot of these posts - so I hope this is the right place for it.
I have inherited a clarinet from my grandfather and I’m struggling to identify it.
My grandfather was born in England in 1922 and we believe he used the clarinet as part of a military cadet marching band as a boy in the 30s before signing up to serve in WW2 aged 16.
My grandmother always referred to it as an E flat clarinet. It’s in 2 parts and has a an unusual case (I’ve done a lot of googling and haven’t found anything like it) that looks like it would have a strap or be secured to a waist belt.
Inside the lid/flap of the case is Boosey and Hawkes, 295 Regent Street, London, W.
The clarinet itself has the following markings: Boosey and Co ltd, makers, London, 26051.
I play flute myself and don’t really know my way around clarinets! So any advice on identifying whether it is an E flat would be gratefully received. I’m also struggling to date it because the markings are Boosey & Co not Boosey and Hawkes. I have added some photos.
Grateful thanks in advance :-)
Post Edited (2021-04-02 01:08)
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2021-04-02 03:15
If you can measure the total length without the mouthpiece and post pictures that would help.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: RainbowDash
Date: 2021-04-06 00:45
Attachment: 361BFAEB-2678-40A0-936C-336EA39CE7E5.jpeg (905k)
Hello! I think I’ve managed to attach photos now - in separate posts below.
I’ve measured it as 15 inches not including mouthpiece - photo attached in case I’ve not done it quite right.
Any insights very gratefully received. It’s a precious thing and I would love to know more about it.
Thanks :-)
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Author: John Peacock
Date: 2021-04-06 02:12
That instrument was made in 1925. And indeed it's an Eb clarinet. It looks like it's made of ebonite rather than wood - at the time, ebonite models were more expensive, presumably because they were crack-proof. The only thing to settle is whether it is "low pitch" (modern A=440), or military band "high pitch" (about A=452). If it doesn't have the initials HP or LP anywhere, you'll need to measure it more carefully. Your 15 inches seems to come from the top of the upper joint, not including any of the metal ring on the tuning barrel, to the bottom of the bell. If I do that measurement on a high pitch Eb of the period that I own, I get 382 mm (15.04 inches). A modern Eb measures at 389 mm (15.31 inches).
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