 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2002-12-21 22:29
We have discussed "HP"/"LP" before. But what I would like to know is:
"C", Not Bb, Albert System Wood Clarinet Item # 931151904" is stated to be HP. How out of pitch would it likely be from a traditional LP, and how could that be corrected---if at all?
Bob A
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-12-21 23:10
HP and LP vary somewhat but generally HP will be about a quarter tone sharp. You can use the old "string down the bore" trick to bring the pitch down quite a bit but the tone quality deteriorates rather noticeably. It's just really not worthwhile to try to fit it to modern pitched instruments. If, on the other hand, it's a really nice horn that you'll be playing with strings (or other HP instruments) who can tune up to you, it's fine.
I know a local tech who has a couple dozen HP clarinets that he keeps around just for the nickel silver and wood... 'scrap'.
Personally, I'd save my money and retain my patience while looking for a decent LP instrument. Several times a year some really nice ones show up on eBay.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-12-21 23:59
Curiosity got to me and I took a look at the horn, Bob. Not only is it a High Pitch, it's also a Simple System, NOT an Albert; at least not what the majority of Albert players I know recognize as an Albert. Nothing wrong with simple systems, I have one that's a Low Pitch and I love it. But... if you're looking for an Albert (preferably with the patent C#) - this ain't it :[
Apparently no one has bothered to inform the seller of the difference.
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2002-12-22 01:12
Possibly he, like me, does not know the difference. Thanks Ron and Merry Christmas.
Bob A
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2002-12-22 01:28
Actually Ron, I was looking for a "C" with fewer keys (if it's Albert or Simple" I can learn the keying) My arthritis has gotten to the point where fewer keys in a camped space may be the answer-- if the lower right hand spread is not too great. My "C" E-11 Buffet will then go to my grandson early (he won't have to wait 'till I die to get it). It will match his E-11 Bb and he can use it in his Church Ministry and folk band. Suggestions? Bob A
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-12-22 02:20
I understand, Bob. I've been following your posts. I would still much prefer a LP instrument -- whatever system it is. The fingering is not the difficult part. You're 90% there already since you're a clarinet player. It's just that trying to bring a high pitched horn down enough and still retain its intonation is nearly, if not altogether, impossible. If you do manage to get it to sound A-440 it'll be 'stuffy' and some other notes will still be out of tune. "C" Alberts show up on eBay though not frequently. I haven't checked the Classifieds here but that's another (better?) possibility. Maybe you could put a Want Ad at the Classified section? I just don't enjoy seeing people spending their hard earned money on something that's almost sure to disappoint. Also, I don't know if the Clarinet Doc is still in business but she used to display at her webpage some interesting instruments (for sale) that she rebuilds. Just type Clarinet Doc in your browser.
The RH finger spread of a "C" Albert isn't much different than a regular Boehm Bb.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2002-12-22 02:50
HP is nominally about 453 Hertz and, if I remember correctly without going to the garage where my Hermann Helmholtz book is stored, the official pitch of the British army in the middle 1800s. By the way, the Helmholtz book, On the "Sensations of Sound" published by Dover is still a gem and a bargain.
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2002-12-22 21:56
I can get you a matching high pitch simple system alto. A really beautiful horn but high pitch and down to low E only. It is French but thhe brand escapes me.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-12-23 06:17
I just tried a search for The Clarinet Doc. Didn't find her :| Does anyone know if she's still restoring horns? She used to post here ocassionally but I haven't seen any messages from her in a long while.
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2002-12-23 16:11
I tried it, just type it into your search command line as <clarinetdoc>, leaving off the brackets and her web page shows up. There is nothing there to indicate whether she is in business as I write this although the web page shows a 2002 update.
Bob A
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-12-23 17:18
Bob -
High pitch is slightly less than a quarter-tone above modern pitch. Unfortunately, there's no way you can pull out the joints or hang a string down the bore to make a high pitch instrument play with acceptable intonation or response at modern pitch.
It's a pity. One of the best instruments I've ever played was a high pitch Buffet C clarinet. The store insisted it was a D clarinet, even after I showed them the difference on a tuner. Ah, well....
Good luck in finding a good Ceefer.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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