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Re: Enhanced Key Systems

Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-11-07 09:59

As bass clarinets don't have ring keys, you can't get Eb or Bb with the forked fingering (xox|ooo) but Yamaha alto clarinets (and possibly the more recent Amati) have the LH3 fingerplate linked to the E vent on the top joint, so you can get a forked Eb/Bb but you will have to open the C#/G# key to compensate for LH 3 being closed. True forked Eb/Bb mechanisms have a small vent key in between the LH 2 and 3 toneholes which opens and closes along with LH2, so when LH2 is raised while LH3 is held down, a well tuned Eb and Bb are obtained (unlike long Bb which is sharp as an Eb when played with the xoo|xoo fingering). Only the Yamaha alto clarinet doesn't have a LH Ab/Eb lever - I fitted one to mine as I use it a lot.

The additional gadgets you have on a 19/7 clarinet are:

Forked Eb/Bb - an extra ring for LH3 so Eb/Bb can be played as xox|ooo which is very useful when playing in remote key signatures and arpeggios where the side or cross key fingerings for Eb/Bb can be awkward.

Articulated C#/G# - by holding the C#/G# key down and trilling with RH2, you can get a true B-C# or F#-G# trill, as well as a much smoother transition from eg. Ab-Db by lifting off the RH fingers. The extra C#/G# trill key for LH2 is useful for C-Db, G-Ab and high E-F trills.

LH Ab/Eb - should be standard equipment on all Boehm system clarinets in my opinion. This means all the RH touches (Ab/Eb, F/C, F#/C# and E/B) are duplicated. It's especially important on instruments fitted with a low Eb so an easy low Eb-Ab slur can be done.

Most modern basses have articulated C#/G# and the LH Ab/Eb lever, but fitting a forked Eb/Bb mechanism to basses will be tricky due to the position of the LH3 fingerplate which holds down the LH2 fingerplate. It can be fitted to altos as can an articulated C#/G# mechanism.

As for full Boehm CTs - I've got a fantastic 1958 R series full Boehm CT and the extra length of the lower joint in my opinion adds more resonance to the lower notes and I use it as a mid stave Bb as well. But like the majority of clarinets, the low F and E is on the flat side (but upper B and C are smack on).

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.

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Enhanced Key Systems new

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2013-11-07 05:28