Improvements in Clarionets.
Year: 1892

page_text: Improvements in Clarionets.
We, THEODOR LÄSSIG, Musician of Köstritz, in the German Empire, and
ADOLF PFRETZSCHNER of Markneukirchen, in the German Empire, Gentleman,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
Our invention relates to an improved clarionet which is characterized by the
following novel features:
1. A hole is provided between the lower conical opening of the instrument and
the last of the keys..
2. All the keys are placed nearer the mouth-piece than in instruments of usual
construction.
3. With several of the keys there are combined additional keys in such manner,
that they are operated in conjunction with the same, as more clearly stated herein-
after.
The object of our improvements is to raise the pitch of the tones emitted from
the instrument, and also to secure a clear sounding of certain notes.
Our invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying
drawing, which shows a clarionet embodying our improvements, the mouth-piece
being broken off, and the view showing only those keys which form part of our
invention, the other keys being constructed in the usual manner. The instrument
is a C-clarionet.
Near the lower end of the instrument we have provided a hole a, which is not
found in clarionets of usual construction, furthermore the keys are all placed
nearer the mouth-piece than hitherto. In the third place we have provided two
auxiliary keys c and d. The key c is placed between the C-or octave―key 6 and
the A-key, and provided with a spring which tends to open the same.
The octave-
key b and the A-key are both provided with small pins or studs e ƒ which keep the
auxiliary key c closed, the keys A and C being themselves kept closed in the
usual manner by means of springs. The other auxiliary key d is provided with a
lever h pivoted at i and operating the B-key. By this arrangement the key dis
kept open as long as the B-key is closed, and when the latter is opened, the
auxiliary key d is automatically closed.
The addition of the hole a has the effect of raising the pitch of the notes
produced by the instrument. This effect is still increased by placing the holes and
keys of the instrument nearer to the mouth-piece than hitherto, and by suitable
location of the holes it is possible to raise the tones of the instrument by one step
with regard to those emitted from an instrument of usual construction and of the
same length. That is to say, a C-, D- or F-clarionet of our improved construction
may have the same length as a B-flat, C or E flat clarionet of the usual construc-
tion. The C-key b is placed at the same point where it was located hitherto, thus
the play on our improved instrument presents no difficulty.
We will particularly mention that though the pitch of the notes emitted from
our instrument is raised, the timbre of the same is not changed, and this is a very
important feature, as hitherto the timbre of the higher-pitched clarionets was not
as satisfactory as that of lower-pitched instruments, and by our improvements the
advantages of the latter are secured in the former.
Our invention presents therefore the special advantage that the stamp of the
tones is a very agreeable one, and moreover it is possible to make the higher-
pitched instruments of the same length than those of lower pitch, which will be
found very convenient by musicians.

page_text: The purpose of the auxiliary key c is the following: When both keys b and
the A-key are operated by depressing the corresponding levers, both the pins
and fare raised, and the key c is opened by the spring operating the same. Thus
the three keys are opened and the note B-flat is produced. The tone is emitted
perfectly pure and clear.
The object of the auxiliary key d is a similar one. We have already stated
that this key is opened only when the B-key is closed, and is closed by means of
the levers h and g when the B-key is opened, this having the effect of securing a
pure emission of the note B.
Of course when our improvements are applied to other clarionets than
C-clarionets, the notes to which the auxiliary keys c and d correspond are changed,
but in each case the said keys belong to the sixth and seventh notes of the scale
respectively.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. A clarionet having an additional opening (a) between the keys and its lower
end, for the purpose as described.
.
2. A clarionet having an additional opening (a) between the keys and its lower
end, the keys being placed nearer the mouth-piece than usual, the location of the
octave-key (b) remaining however unchanged, for the purpose as described.
3. In a clarionet, the auxiliary-key (c) in combination with pins (e and f) fixed
to the sixth-key and octave-key (b) respectively, these keys being actuated by
means of springs, in the manner and for the purpose specified.
4. In a clarionet, the auxiliary-key (d), having a lever (g) in combination with
the seventh-key, having a long lever (1), substantially as and for the purpose
described.
Dated this 29th day of April 1892.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicants.