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Description: | The key system on this clarinet is based on that devised by Iwan Müller in 1809. Müller added a number of keys to the lower part of the instrument to be operated by the right hand. These meant that the tone holes could be wider, giving a warmer sound at louder dynamics. Müller also claimed that his clarinet was 'omnitonic', meaning that it could play in any key. At the time, most clarinettists used at least two different sizes of clarinet, interchanging as the music demanded. Müller's system proved popular in German-speaking countries, and was further developed with the addition of extra keys by makers such as Stephen Koch, who made this instrument. However, the idea of standardising the size of the instrument faced opposition, especially in Paris, where players were keen to retain the range of tone qualities offered by different sized clarinets. But German instrument makers continued to improve the design.
Clarinet in B-flat, Müller system, augmented. Upper joint and bell stamped 'S.KOCH/WIEN'. A maker's mark in the form of a stylised Hapsburg eagle appears above each inscription. Stained fruitwood in two joints, plus bell, barrel and mouthpiece, the bell with integral wooden rim. Four horn ferrules. Simple brass thumb-rest, fixed with two screws. Mouthpiece, which is possibly original, has a short table but accepts a ligature. Sixteen brass keys with saltspoon cup covers mounted variously in blocks and on pillars. Fingering: left-hand thumb: straight speaker key with chimney, thumb-hole (?covered for F natural?); left-hand first finger: A natural and A-flat keys in same turned ring, fingerhole; left-hand second finger: fingerhole; left-hand third finger: cross B-flat key, fingerhole; left-hand fourth finger: duplicate lever opening B-flat key above, cross G-sharp key, duplicate lever opening right-hand fourth finger's E-flat, long C-sharp key, bascule key with extra touch for right-hand first finger. Fingering: right-hand thumb: rod in "trunnions" opening left-hand fourth finger's C-sharp key; right-hand first finger: long trill key, side key for ?F sharp (the head seems too high up to give F natural) with touch of trill key curving over it, extra touch on bascule key; fingerhole; right-hand second finger: fingerhole; right-hand third finger: cross F natural key, finger hole; right-hand fourth finger: side F-sharp; angled E-flat in "trunnions"; hinged C natural key with brass guide below tone-hole. | Publisher: | http://www.horniman.ac.uk/ | Subjects: | clarinets horn brass fruitwood | Source: | Horniman Museum | Identifier: | oai:oai.horniman.ac.uk:object-14353 |
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