 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ken Rasmussen
Date: 2002-11-12 01:33
Those of you with extremely long memories may recall that I was contemplating splicing extensions into several left hand pinky keys on my bass clarinet. I've done it, and redone it, and re-redone it. and by God, it is sweet!!! Thank goodness my technician is a patient man, because I am a perfectionist, and it isn't that easy to know where a key goes until you've tried it for awhile. Anyway, I can reach all of the keys really easily, including the left hand Eb key, which is over an inch from from where it was originally located. None of the keys interfere with any of the other keys. My reach is less than average, due to my inward curving pinky, so I think this is quite an accomplishment. I really think the manufacturers ought to base their layouts on what I've done. The horn is a Selmer Series 9. The downside of this kind of modification is that the splices do show. It is easier if the horn is used as mine was. It would be a little more traumatic if the horn in question cost $5,000, and was brand new. It would still be worthwhile even so. What use is a key you can't reach easily?
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Author: Terry Horlick
Date: 2002-11-12 01:59
You spend $5000 on a new horn wouldn't it be reasonable to request the custom key work be done by the mfr and plated and polished to match the rest of the horn? Of course the $5000 might grow a bit, but hey, what is that next to your satisfaction? Don't forget the custom modification you will have to make to the case.
TH
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Author: William
Date: 2002-11-12 14:50
I am considering having extensions put onto the "jumper keys" (the connectors between the top and bottom joints) on my bass clarinet so that I can pull the middle joint for tuning purposes without disrupting the key action. What is the consensious amoung you other bass clarinetists regarding 1) pulling the middle joint for tuning, and 2) extendors (anybody have them???)
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-11-12 16:26
Interesting, TKS, KR, I have similar "small hands" problems, on my Selmer 31-2-3. Was happy to see my [occasional] BC student is a good-sized boy!, his school's good Noblet is quite comfortable even for me, no extra keys, tho! I can barely reach my low Eb, but the L LF Ab/Eb causes upper finger "pulls", so is seldom used. I tried "extending" with PVC tubing, not very good, so may follow your lead. Wm, I need to "pull" my adjustable neck about 1/4" to tune to some 440-2, haven't pulled center, but do have about 1/8" ["available"] overlap on the 2 bridge keys. I guess I just accommodate any "long-note" sharpness by lip/ear, "bio-feedback?". Looks to me that bridge-extending would be a major problem/inconvenience, Others please comment. Don
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2002-11-12 21:31
William,
Based on the bass clarinets I've seen, I'd say that if you're having to pull out between the two long joints farther than the capability of the existing bridge keys to accommodate, your bass has some SERIOUS tuning problems that need to be addressed by other means. Can you elaborate?
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2002-11-12 21:35
Ken,
Welcome back to Sneezy (er, I mean Woodwind).....long time no post! Having been involved in the reconditioning of your Eb clarinet a few years ago, I thought it might be interesting to mention to you (while we're on the subject of key reach) that, having inadvertently "modified" my r.h. index finger this past June via an altercation with a lawnmower, that finger is now about 1/4" shorter than it was, and the topmost joint is fused (locked in the straight position). Yet to my amazement, the shortening of my finger has made it somewhat easier for me to play the eefer, fused joint notwithstanding! Wonders never cease...........
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Author: William
Date: 2002-11-12 23:32
David,
Shouldn't you post some kind of disclaimer hopefully preventing aspiring young effer players from trying the same "lawnmower" proceedure (in hopes of instantly improving their technique) without the direct supervision of a qualified landscape professional (who also plays the instrument)?????
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Author: Ken Rasmussen
Date: 2002-11-13 02:09
Dave: Thank you for the welcome back. I sneak in every once in a while to see how things are going. I really appreciate the work you did on my Eb horn. I've been playing it more often recently, and enjoying it. I don't think I would bother if you hadn't "pruned" the bottom of the lower joint. I hadn't realized that pruning was so addictive, please don't take any more off of the fingers! Hey guys, if you've got a tuning problem, and you can get Dave Spiegelthal to look it over for you, you're probably going to wind up with an improved instrument.
As you can see from my original post, I've been doing anti-pruning to the bass keys. I really recommend this solution. I would suggest that you make your best guess for where the keys go, and then be prepared to make further alterations if necessary. I got mine absolutely correct in 3 tries. I kept my technician cooperative by telling him I didn't care what he charged, I just wanted him to smile every time he saw me coming. Due to the reverse psychology of the situation his price was quite reasonable, and he cooperated fully.
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