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 Bass clarinet question
Author: alanporter 
Date:   2014-09-03 05:42

Is a bass clarinet what is referred to as a "full Boehm ? They seem to have the same number of keys.

tiaroa@shaw.ca

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 Re: Bass clarinet question
Author: jdbassplayer 
Date:   2014-09-03 05:54

Not really. Bass clarinets just have the low eb key while full boehm clarinets have a few extra features such as a forked Eb/Bb and an a left hand Ab/Eb key. Some bass clarinets have a few "full boehm" features but I know of no bass clarinet that is a true full boehm.

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 Re: Bass clarinet question
Author: LarryBocaner 2017
Date:   2014-09-03 18:17

Selmer comes the closest, with articulated C#/G# standard. But it lacks the forked B-flat that you would find on a full Boehm clarinet.

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 Re: Bass clarinet question
Author: TJTG 
Date:   2014-09-03 19:14

Why is it in today's day and age we still don't have articulated C#/G#, a trill key that has suffered for so long? Wouldn't mechanical difficulties could be easily remedied on every pro instrument in production? Or are we still toughing it out because our teachers never had it?

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 Re: Bass clarinet question
Author: Paul Aviles 
Date:   2014-09-03 19:57

My guess is that the effort to overcome the technical issues far outways any possible advantage. The 'idea' sounds better than the reality.


Of course I always remove the LH pinky alternate "Eb/Ab" key from any instrument that I use that has one.





...................Paul Aviles



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 Re: Bass clarinet question
Author: Chris P 
Date:   2014-09-03 20:21

They were all options for those that wanted them and made use of them in everyday playing, but the majority went with the basic 17/6 configuration which they started out on - sometimes opting for the LH Ab/Eb lever on a pro model (or getting one with it fitted as standard), but even some find that key unnecessary depending on their upbringing.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010

The opinions I express are my own.

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 Re: Bass clarinet question
Author: tictactux 2017
Date:   2014-09-03 20:22

> Of course I always remove the LH pinky alternate "Eb/Ab" key from any
> instrument that I use that has one.

I have several other keys that are still like new because I never use them. [wink]

--
Ben

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 Re: Bass clarinet question
Author: David Spiegelthal 2017
Date:   2014-09-03 20:23

The articulated C#/G# is no panacea. Personally I prefer not to have it because of its extra complexity and a tendency for the pad to stick shut, since it is opened by a small spring which is normally overcome by a large spring (same as the G# on saxophones which have the same sticking issue), rather than directly opened by the simple lever of the 'normal' C#/G# key design.

Many German clarinets have a simpler approach to providing a r.h. index finger trill capability for C#/G#, a simple extension of the l.h. arm. I like that better.

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 Re: Bass clarinet question
Author: Caroline Smale 
Date:   2014-09-03 23:18

Articulated C#/G# also removes a few useful "long" fingerings in altissimo in particular the high F# and Bb.
On plus side an significantly better toned C#.
I always keep a piece of cigarette paper under the C#/G# pad when storing clarinet back in it's case - never had a sticking pad since doing that (but a horrible buzz if you forget to remove it next time you play!)



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 Re: Bass clarinet question
Author: clarnibass 
Date:   2014-09-04 00:35

There are some fingerings that are far more important to me than anything the articulated C#/G# allows and having it would prevent using them.

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 Re: Bass clarinet question
Author: JEG 2017
Date:   2014-09-04 19:46

For what it's worth, my 1971 Selmer Model 33 bass clarinet has the articulated C#/G# and the left-hand Ab/Eb keys. I do use the Ab/Eb key on occasion; when I was in college I played bass clarinet in the Janacek 'Mladi' sextet. There is a slur from low Eb to Ab that can't be slurred unless you have the extra key. I know the newer bass clarinets have left-hand low Eb keys, among others, but basically it's whatever the individual prefers.

I can't say that I've consciously used the C#/G# key much, but other than the fact that it occasionally sticks, it's good to know it's there.

In my opinion, it's nice to have the options.

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 Re: Bass clarinet question
Author: D Dow 
Date:   2014-09-05 05:23

je ne sais quoh

David Dow

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