 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Douglas Wachter
Date: 2001-08-14 04:50
As a young man I permanently injured the second and third fingers of my left hand, and had to stop playing the clarinet. My problem was (and is) that I can't consistently cover hole #3, the one that usually has no key at all. In addition, I have a little trouble with hole #2, but the ring key helps quite a bit.
I'm determined to find a solution to my problem, because I miss the instrument a lot, and I'm not interested in the normally plateau-keyed instruments, such as the sax.
My research has turned up a variety of instruments with varying numbers of plateau keys, some in the wrong places for my needs! A number of Bulletin Board and other commenters have expressed concerns about getting a consistently good sound out of a note played on a hole with a covered key, due to inadequate "venting," (release of air through the hole). Apparently this can happen because our fingers lift higher than a pad will).
Does anyone have direct experience with any of these instruments (Vito 7214P, LeBlanc 50s, LeBlanc 1176PS, LeBlanc Paris #5615)? How about a plateau-style Normandy or Bundy)? Does the LeBlanc Paris Symphony III have a ring key at hole #3?
How about modifying a standard instrument to add a ring key or plateau key over hole #3 (which more that one tech has told me he/she could do)? Could this work?
I'd appreciate any comments, either to this board or to me directly at dwachter@aol.com
Thanks,
Doug
Carlsbad, CA
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2001-08-14 05:33
I'm not so sure that open holed clarinets have a better sound than plateau models. Look at the controversy surrounding open-holed flute vs. closed-hole. Each model has it's advocates. And all of the lower pitched clarinets are plateau models. I would get a good plateau model like the Leblanc LL and not look back.
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Author: Colleen
Date: 2001-08-14 07:19
Have you ever heard of Charles Bay? Well, he's in Westlake Village (just North of Los Angeles) and he might be just the one to see what can be done for you.
Email: cbay@baywoodwind.com
I'm thinking that if you could meet with him and show him, he's Soooo "THE GUY" with awesome products and innovations. If it can be done, he'd be the one to do it well. So... e-mail him and ask.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-08-14 07:31
Douglas -
I'm sure there are advocates and dissenters but I find no reason a well adjusted plateau clarinet would not sound okay. The few I've heard sounded just like clarinets :]
- ron b -
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Author: Mario
Date: 2001-08-14 13:54
In the world of the flute, you can buy a quality instrument with open tone holes closed by a cork insert. This allows beginners to use a fine instrument while having all holes covered with plateau made out of cork. When the young musician develops skills, these inserts are simply removed and voila! you get yourself a proper flute. Great for parents who want to buy ONE good flute for their aspiring prodigy.
I wonder if the same technique could be used on clarinets. This would be easy to build.
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2001-08-14 14:37
These are all good ideas. Try a combination: There are some clarinets out there with the extra ring, and this ring and the other 'problem' tonehole could both be fitted with a cork insert, and I'd recommend also raising the height of the l.h. ring stack somewhat to vent the (now-plateau) holes better. Douglas, please contact me off-line, I may have a solution for you.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-08-14 16:31
Dave gives you a good perspective re: the venting problem. I bought an OLD Vito plateau at a pawn shop, made it somewhat playable, it does need more venting via the "longer-travel" of the stack, I dont expect miracles! I've known several finger-problem clists, all have had skilled work done by helpful repairers. A woman in our Tulsa Comm. Band had lost the ring-finger tip and hadn't had much luck on an open-holed sop. cl. I introduced her to a plateau alto cl which, with a short extension of the "C/G" pad cover, was quite playable for her. She later had the same done to her alto sax, quite satisfactory, not real ingenious, just a "custom fit". "Necessity is the mother of invention" as we techs used to point out to would-be inventors, myself included. Luck, Don
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-08-14 18:07
Douglas -
It's absolutely possible to make plateau keys for your left second and third fingers. In fact, these two holes are probably the easiest to put plateau keys on, since you don't have to remake the mechanism, as you would for the right hand.
I know several people in New York who do this kind of work. Susan Eberenz is an expert flute technician who apprenticed at Haynes. She set up extended keys for Jeanne Baxtresser, who was principal flute in the New York Philharmonic. Perry Ritter is a well kown clarinet technician who does custom work for players injured hands. Carl Sawicki practically re-made a couple of oboes for Josef Marx, a very fine player who toward the end of his life suffered greately from rheumatoid arthritis. His knuckles sweeled up the size of ping-pong balls, so he couldn't even touch adjacent, keys. Carl's work let him play quite well.
You might also ask around in the music community where you live for a physical therapist who specializes in musicians. Even if a therapist can't help your hand, he or she will know people in the area who do custom work for people with injured hands.
Good luck. Let us know your progress.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-08-14 19:20
I've known a couple of people with injuries to their hands who have bought the Leblanc plateau keyed versions (I'm not sure which models), and are able to play quite well on them. You might want to get one to start out on that doesn't cost a lot and work on getting your fingers to work well with the instrument before going to a higher dollar modification.
I saw one on eBay a few months back that was about $300.00 and belonged to a band director here in Texas. He had the same problem. So, they do come along if you're unable to find one from David or others who have good used instruments for sale.
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Author: Bob Curtis
Date: 2001-08-14 19:23
Doug:
There is an old sayng: "Where there is a will, there is a way!!" I believe you have the WILL. Now, check out the advice that has been offered you to find the WAY!! It can be done -- just find the person to do it for you.
Good luck, and please keep us posted on your progress.
Bob Curtis
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Author: Douglas Wachter
Date: 2001-08-14 20:50
Thank you for all your comments. You've given me more than enough to chew on, and that will help me refrain from buying something impulsively (which I've been known to do).
Of course, I hoping that someone will email me that he/she has the perfect instrument and is dying to get rid of it at minimal cost to me. And will send it with a money-back trial period, too!
Seriously, I'll probably email and call around the San Diego or Bay Areas to try and find an already plateaued instrument in a store or home that I can try out with my own mouthpiece.
Don't let this stop anyone else from making further comments.
Again, thanks
Doug Wachter
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Author: David Pegel
Date: 2001-08-14 22:58
Your wish for that miraculous email almost never comes true, Douglas, but it really helps to know that there are several alternatives. There have been many situations where people have broken their arms or their wrists or have gotten Carpal tunnel and they have found solutions very quickly due to the number of wonderful contributors on this website. Keep us informed and good job contributors!!
(Oh, Connie, how's your hand doing?)
David Pegel
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Author: Wes
Date: 2001-08-15 02:57
It should be easy for a repairman to make a key to cover the third finger hole with a pad for a couple of hours work. For the second finger, it would also be easy if you would be willing to forego the one/one fingerings for Bb/Eb. To retain the fork fingering would take a bit more work but it all is possible and could be less costly than a new plateau clarinet. Second hand ones rarely come along.
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