Clarinets in the Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments

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Albert and Buffet capture Britain


Photo: (2769), (85), (2842)

(2769) Clarinet in Bb; Simple system. Maker: E. Albert, Brussels, c 1890. <
(85) Clarinet in C; Simple system with patent C sharp and Barret action. Maker: E.J. Albert, Brussels, early 20th century.
(2842) Clarinet in C; Simple system with patent C sharp and Barret action. Maker: Boosey & Co., London, probably 1904.


Photo: (120), (141), (129)

(120) Clarinet in Bb; Boehm system (17 keys, 6 rings). Maker: Tournier & Goumas, Paris, c 1857.
(141) Clarinet in A; Boehm, No. 6 system (19 keys, 7 rings). Maker: Buffet Crampon & Cie., Paris, c 1923.
(129) Clarinet in Bb, Boehm No. 7 system to Eb3 (20 keys, 6 rings). Maker: Buffet Crampon & Cie., Paris, c 1930.

It was Adolphe Sax (1814-1894) who patented the spectacles improving Bb3/F5 as well as B natural3/F#5 about 1840, but the Belgian firm of Eugene Albert (1816-1890) promoted the new system with much more success. This so-called “Simple System” was in use in Britain since the second half of the 19th century, and was quite common and wide-spread. In 1861 Joseph Tyler invented a key combination which he sold to S.A. Chappell, the British agent for Eugene Albert. As “Patent C sharp” this mechanism was added to the Simple System clarinet, but it is also to be found on Boehm and Oehler system clarinets. Another simplification was given by the “Barret action”, which bundles the side keys for Eb4/Bb5 and F4/C6.

(136) Clarinet in A, simple system with patent C sharp, additional Bb throat key and side Bb for R1 (E. Albert, Brussels, c 1865)

Sound examples played by Lesley Schatzberger

Talk about this instrument [Real video ]

Johannes Brahms (1833-97), excerpt from Trio for clarinet, cello and piano, Op. 114 (1897) [Real video ]

Earlier in the 19th century the clarinetist Hyacinthe Klosé (1808-1880) and the maker Auguste Buffet (1816-1884) invented a clarinet based on the acoustical conclusions of the famous German flautist and craftsman, Theobald Boehm (1794-1881). In 1843 they exhibited an instrument that required a major change in fingering. The two major acievements of the Boehm clarinet were to abolish forked fingering, as well as to reduce the frequency of difficult tasks for the little fingers by offering several alternative keys. The traditional British company Boosey & Hawkes made instruments with both systems, but with the advancing globalization and standardization of orchestras and of orchestral instruments, the Boehm system came to prevail worldwide.

More details on these instruments

Next chapter: High Clarinets and other members of the family

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