 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: kehammel
Date: 2021-02-09 02:08
I recently got a second Albert system B flat clarinet, which has the register key at the bottom. The register key insert is flush with the tonehole on the outside and protrudes about halfway into the bore.
My other Albert has the more traditional wraparound register key, and as usual its insert stands above on the outside while being flush with the bore.
My impression so far is that the middle clarion register, roughly E flat to G, is more difficult to play on the instrument without the wraparound key. I tend to grunt on those notes and they stay on the undertone unless I get my tongue and embouchure just right. I'm not a very advanced player, but it's noticeable how much easier this is for me on the instrument with the wraparound key.
On both instruments, I have to remember to keep my tongue higher, take in as much mouthpiece as possible without squeaking, and keep my lip held tighter across the teeth so it doesn't get too fat and damp the reed. But there's just less room for error with the no wraparound key instrument. I don't think this instrument leaks, by the way. It's just back from a tech, who re-seated pads and made sure both joints seal well.
So my questions are: Does the register key tube protruding into the bore make any clarion notes more difficult to speak? And is there any advantage to doing what some Boehm players have done, namely moving the register key tube out of the bore so it stands proud, bending the key to accommodate this, and even fitting the keypad with a small spike (pinocchio)?
For that matter, even if my problems are entirely attributable to my less than stellar technique, is there any advantage to moving the insert outwards anyway?
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