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Re: Marigaux Strasser

Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-06-25 20:28

There are three main types of 8ve key arrangement - simple, semi-automatic and fully automatic.

Simple 8ve keys are just that - a single 8ve key for the thumb and another for LH1. The lower or 1st (thumb) 8ve key is used from upper register E to G# and then has to be released as the upper or 2nd (LH1) 8ve key is opened from A to high C. Then the lower/1st 8ve is opened again for altissimo E upwards. You do have to make sure either one or the other is opened at any one time as both can't be opened together. The upper (2nd) 8ve key can be used for harmonic fingerings in the upper register (described in the next paragraph).

Semi-automatic 8ves are the most popular type - you can keep your thumb on the back (1st) 8ve key while opening the upper (2nd) 8ve key and the vents will switch over. It's called semi-auto as you still have to physically open the 2nd 8ve when going from upper register G-A - you have to move your wrist to open the upper 8ve vent as you lift LH3 without having to release yuor thumb from the 1st 8ve touch as would have to be done with simple 8ve keys. The upper (or 2nd) 8ve vent can be used for harmonic fingerings for A or Bb (and others) as it raises the low D and Eb up by a 12th to give a much rounder, softer tone quality to these notes so they can be used when playing pp instead of the usual short fingerings.

Fully automatic 8ves will work in a very similar way as the 8ve mechanism on saxophones works - you have the single touch for the left thumb and the switchover happens automatically when you raise and lower LH3 while the thumb is on the back 8ve touch. You can't use harmonic fingerings (eg. for upper A or Bb) with fully auto 8ves as the 8ve mechanism is linked to the main action keywork (to LH3), so the lower vent will be open while LH3 remains down (and it's the upper vent that needs to be opened for the harmonic fingerings). Fully auto 8ves are most popular in Germany and Eastern Europe and also by some players who've studied there. Some older fully autos had both 1st and 2nd 8ve touches fitted, but they both do exactly the same thing.

The 3rd 8ve is an extra touchpiece for the left thumb (usually overlaps the back 8ve key or runs down the side of it on instruments fitted with a thumbplate) and opens a full-size tonehole in between the lower 8ve vent and the C-D trill tonehole, but it only opens a tiny amount (the venting is governed by an adjusting screw just like the LH1 fingerplate) and helps the altissimo register notes from E upwards speak cleanly.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010

Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes

NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.

The opinions I express are my own.

Post Edited (2010-06-25 20:42)

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