A New Wind Musical Instrument of the Clarionet Family.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Oct., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 6th May, 1891-Accepted, 8th Aug.,
1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New Wind Musical Instrument of the Clarionet Family.
A communication from ADOLPHE FONTAINE-BESSON, of Paris, France, Manu-
facturer of Musical Instruments.
I, WILLIAM LLOYD WISE, of 46 Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
London, Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for object to complete the range of the clarionets in the lower
register and thus to form a musical scale, the power and homogeneity of which
have heretofore been unknown, since composers have found it impossible to obtain
the extreme limit of the lower register with clarionets alone, and they have been
obliged to have recourse to the use of the bassoon the tone of which differs
completely from that of the clarionet, whose sound, as is well known, is much more
incisive and has consequently a greater penetration than that of the hassoon.
Owing to the fact that my counter bass clarionet descends to the si(la for the
ear) by means of supplementary mechanism (the ordinary clarionets only descend
to the mi), I provide an instrument affording to a composer who wishes to employ
A counter bass clarionet according to this invention has a length of 2 metres
92 centimetres from the mouth piece to the end of the bell, and is constructed with
two main parallel or approximately parallel bodies or parts made on the same
general plan for facility of execution; its mechanism is the same as that of
clarionets of the usual pattern, that is to say it is provided with 13 keys and two
rings with which the performer can descend chromatically in the ordinary way
to mi lower register (re for the ear).
With the object of obviating interfering with the usual fingering, the supple-
mentary keys for giving respectively the notes mi b ré ut, si si b (or rébut,
sisi b, la for the ear) are completely independent of the mechanism connected
with 13 ordinary keys. An artist who can play the bass clarionet will thus also be
able at once to use the counterbass clarionet without any study other than to get
accustomed to the sound of an instrument which gives exactly the lower octave of
the bass clarionet.
With the object of increasing the facility of emission the mouth piece of my
counter bass clarionet is connected to a tube of conical form 40 centiinetres long,
and 0.028 m. in diameter at its entrance end. The other end of the conical tube
is 0-050 m. in diameter, which remains uniform to the bottom or breech where the
instrument becomes conical again up to the end of the bell.
It is to be noted that the conical tube herein before referred to is rendered
necessary in consequence of the exceptional diameter of the counter bass clarionet,

page_text: For clarionets of a smaller diameter, the cone becomes unnecessary. The
investigations of my, correspondent originally, had reference to a. cylinder
of 0-026 m. in diameter, which gave a sound absolutely pure and easy of
emission, and it is to be understood that clarionets according to this invention may
be constructed either with a cone whose amplitude may be modified according to
requirement and also with a body which is cylindrical and of any suitable diameter.
A counter bass clarionet according to this invention may be made of metal or of
other suitable material and also with mechanism of various systems such as with 1 è
or 15 keys, Bochum's system, and in all tones.
Having in view at present only the case of execution by the artist, the clarionet
illustrated in Fig. 1 of the annexed drawing, has three bodies connected together
by metal dowels or joint pieces at A and B.
The clarionet illustrated in elevation in the accompanying drawings belongs to
the system in which 26 keys are used inclusive of the supplementary keys for
descending chromatically to the siin the lower register, which is the extreme
limit of the range of the instrument.
By reason of these proportions I do not employ the rings of the ordinary
clarionet and I have therefore replaced them by plates.
Fig. 1 illustrates mainly the fingering for the left hand of the performer, and
which can be divided into two distinct parts, eiz. 1, plate fingering; and 2,
spatula fingering.
The plate fingering shewn hatched in Fig. 1 at 1, 2 and 3 produce the notes ré
mi, fa of the bugle; the plate 4 for the thumb of the left hand gives the sol of
the same register.
Spatula fingering; immediately below the plates 1, 2, 3 are situated two
spatulas 5 and 6 for operating two keys 7 and 8, for producing the notes soland
la respectively, the key 7 being arranged in the direction of and the key 8 on the
dowel or joint piece A.
For the purpose of facilitating taking apart, the key 8 is provided with a
connecting piece of the usual pattern, indicated by hatching at 9 in Fig. 1.
Opposite and a little below the plates 1, and 2 already mentioned, are two
spatulas 10 and 11 for operating the keys 10 and 11' for producing reand of
do the key 11 which is on the dowel or joint piece B is provided with a
connecting piece 12, indicated by hatching.
Below the plates 1, 2 and 3 are arranged four spatulas 13, 14, 15 and 16,
superposed in pairs; the spatulas 13 and 14 operating the supplementary keys 131 14'
for producing the notes do do, in the lower register and the spatulas 15 and 16
operating the keys 15 and 161 for producing the notes mi and fain the lower
register. Finally near the plate 4 for the thumb of the left hand there are two
spatulas 17 and 18 for operating the two octave keys 17 and 18', of which
It will be noted that the complete fingering for the left hand is mounted on the
second body of the clarionet. The first body in the present arrangement carries
only the mounting for the two octave keys and the month piece.
Fig. 2 illustrates mainly the fingering for the right hand. The plates and the
spatulas are indicated in the figure by hatched lines.
The plate fingering 1, 2 and 3, produces the notes la si do of the bugle.
The spatula fingering comprises five superposed spatulas 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8; the

page_text: two lower spatulas 7 and 8, serve for operating the supplementary keys 71 and 81
for producing the notes ré and rein the lower register, respectively, and the
three upper ones 4, 5 and 6 serve for operating the keys for producing the notes
sol 5, fa4 and sol 6' respectively in the lower register.
It will be noted that for the purpose of readily taking the instrument apart, the
key 7 for producing the note réin the lower register is furnished with a
connecting piece 9 indicated by hatching. The same is done for the key producing
the note do of the lower register.
Opposite to the plate 3 is situated the spatula 10 of the key 10' for producing
the note sib in the lower register. Above this spatula 10 are situated three
spatulas 11, 12, and 13, placed one above the other, as in the ordinary clarionet;
the spatula 11 is for producing the cadence of fa; 12 the cadence of a semi-
tone; and 13 the cadence of a tone.
With the object of giving complete solidity to the mechanism, it is mounted by
preference on rods as indicated in the drawings, but I do not limit myself to this
method of mounting as I may employ any known system of mounting.
The action of the plates and spatulas of the mechanism is simple and direct it
being sufficient to bear upon a plate or a spatula in order to close the corresponding
key. As will be obvious counterbass clarionets according to this invention may be
variously modified without departing from the nature of the invention. Thus
there may be applied mechanism for giving a double action to the various keys,
either by opposing springs, or by correspondences or connecting pieces.
Dated this 14th day of October 1890.
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New Wind Musical Instrument of the Clarionet Family.
A communication from abroad by ADOLPHE FONTAINE-BESSON, of 198, Euston
Road, London, and of Paris, France, Manufacturer of Musical Instruments.
I, WILLIAM LLOYD WISE of 46 Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of London,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The following is a description of the invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent.
This invention has reference to a new wind musical instrument intended to
extend and complete the range of the clarionet family. Heretofore the clarionet
family has consisted of four instruments only viz. :—
1. The small
2. The medium
3. The alto
4. The single bass
Eb clarionet.
د,
Bb
Eb
"
-
Bb
"
From this it will be evident that the range of such instruments does not extend
below the single bass clarionet.
By this invention there is produced a fifth instrument that extends the range of
and completes the said family, this fifth instrument fulfilling the part of contrabass
clarionet or double bass.
The new instrument is pitched in Bb, one octave lower than the usual single
Bb bass clarionet and descends to pedal A or even, if so desired, to Ab by using
an additional key. It is to be noted that the deepest clarionet heretofore made
descends only to E (DE for the ear), whereas the herein described new clarionet,
by descending to pedal Ab, gives one octave and 3 tones more in the lower register
below me single pass Cratione
By this invention there is produced a fifth instrument that extends the range of
and completes the said family, this fifth instrument fulfilling the part of contrabass
clarionet or double bass.
The new instrument is pitched in Bb, one octave lower than the usual single
Bb bass clarionet and descends to pedal A or even, if so desired, to Ab by using
an additional key. It is to be noted that the deepest clarionet heretofore made
descends only to E (DE for the ear), whereas the herein described new clarionet,
by descending to pedal Ab, gives one octave and 3 tones more in the lower register

page_text: than any existing clarionet and thus has an extended musical scale of very deep
power and homogeneity and fulfils the long sought for requirement of composers to
reach the extreme limit of the lower register with clarionets alone. It is intended
to call the new instrument a "pedal clarionet" or "contrabass clarionet" (double
bass). The very extensive register, the pedal notes and the full rich and deep
double bass voice of the new instrument are obtained by making the instrument of
novel form and proportions, by the novel arrangement or disposition of the keys
and tubes, by improved and extended key mechanism and by the use of additional
bodies and keys as hereinafter described.
Thus there is provided an instrument affording to a composer who wishes to
employ the complete range of clarionets, a compass extending from
chromatic intervals. The new clarionet is made about 2 metres 92 centimetre
long from the mouth piece to the end of the bell but the length will vary according
to the pitch or other characteristic of the instrument. It is constructed with three
main parallel or approximately parallel bodies or parts arranged side by side for
facility of execution, instead of with one main body only as is usual in ordinary
clarionets, and is provided with plates instead of the usual rings thus ensuring air
tightness when the keys are closed.
In order that the new instrument may offer no difficulties of execution to present
bass clarionet players, the usual or ordinary mode of fingering with the old 13 key
system of clarionet, is maintained, but the additional notes Eb, D, Db, C, B, Bb,
(or Db, C, B, Bb, Ab, At, for the car) are produced by supplementary keys,
plates, and connecting mechanism that are quite independent of the old 13 key
mechanism. These supplementary keys combined with the novel disposition of
the key mechanism and extra bodies, enable the performer to reach the pedal notes
already referred to.
With the object of increasing the facility of emission, the mouth piece of the
contra-bass clarionet is connected to a tube of conical form or mouth piccc crook of
about 40 centimetres long, and 0.028 m. in diameter at its entrance end. The
other end of the conical tube is 0.050 m. in diameter, which remains uniform to the
bottom or breech where the instrument becomes conical again up to the end of
the bell. These proportions may however vary according to the diapason, pitch,
or other characteristic of the instrument.
It is to be noted that the conical tube hereinbefore referred to is rendered
necessary in consequence of the exceptionally large diameter of the instrument.
For clarionets of smaller diameter, the cone becomes unnecessary. The investi-
gations of my correspondent originally had reference to a cylinder of 0-026 m. in
diameter, which gave a sound absolutely pure and easy of emission, and it is to be
understood that a pedal or contra-bass clarionet according to this invention may be
constructed either with a cone whose amplitude or size, may be modified according
to requirement, and also with a body which is cylindrical and of any suitable
diameter.
It is to be understood, that the new instrument can be manufactured of wood,
metal, ebonite, gutta percha, or of any other suitable material, and also with
mechanism of various systems such as with 14 or 15 keys, Boehm's system, 26, 27
or with more or less keys, and in any key...
The clarionet illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings left with my Provisional

page_text: Specification, and in the design of which ease of execution by the performer has
been the principal object, has three bodies connected together by metal joint pieces
at A and B. In this clarionet 26 keys are used, inclusive of the supplementary
keys for descending chromatically to the pedal A in the lower register, which is
the extreme limit of the range of the instrument. Or it may be provided with
27 keys to descend to pedal Ab if desired. As however pedal A is as low as
most composers desire to write for, the drawings show a clarionet with 26 keys
only.
By reason of the very large proportions of the instrument the rings of the
ordinary clarionet are replaced by more suitable mechanism consisting of plates
("plateaux") which ensure air tightness when the keys are closed.
Fig. 1 illustrates mainly the fingering for the left hand of the performer; this
lingering may be divided into two distinct parts, viz. 1 plate fingering; and
2, spatula fingering.
The plate fingering shown hatched in Fig. 1, at 1, 2 and 3, produces the
notes D, E, F; the plate + for the thumb of the left hand gives the G of the
same register.
Immediately above the plates 1, 23 are situated two spatulas 5 and 6 for
working two keys 7 and 8, for producing the notes G and A respectively, the
key 7 being arranged in the direction of the joint piece A, and the key 8 on the
joint piece itself.
For the purpose of facilitating taking apart, the key 8 is provided with a
connecting piece of the usual pattern, indicated by hatching at 9 in Fig. 1.
Opposite and a little below the plates I, and 2 already mentioned, are LWO
spatulas 10 and 11 that operate the keys 10 and 11 for producing D and C
respectively the key 11, which is on the joint piece B, is provided with a
connecting piece 12, indicated by hatching.
Below the plates 1, 2 and 3 are arranged four spatulas 13, 14 15 and 16
superposed in pairs; the spatulas 13 and 14 operating the supplementary
keys 13, 14 for producing the notes C, C, in the lower register, and the
spatulas 15 and 16 operating the keys 15 and 161 for producing the notes E
and Fin the lower register. Finally near the plate 4 for the thumb of the left
hand, there are two spatulas 17 and 18 for operating the two octave keys 171
It will be noted that the complete fingering for the left hand is mounted on the
second body of the clarionet. The first body in the present arrangement carries
only the mounting for the two octave keys and the mouth piece.
Fig. 2 illustrates mainly the fingering for the right hand. The plates and the
spatulas are indicated in the figure by hatched lines.
The plate fingering 1, 2 and 3 produces the notes A, B, C
The spatula fingering comprises five superposed spatulas 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8; the
two lower spatulas 7 and 8, serve for operating the supplementary keys 7' and 8'
for producing the notes D and D in the lower register, respectively, and the
three upper ones 4, 5 and 6, serve for operating the keys 41,5 and 6¹ for producing
the notes G, Fand G respectively in the lower register.
For the purpose of readily taking the instrument apart, the key 7' for pro-
ducing the note D in the lower register is furnished with a connecting piece 9

page_text: ("correspondence") indicated by hatching. The same is done for the key 14¹
producing the note of the lower register, Fig. 1.
Opposite to the plate 3 is situated the spatula 10 of the key 10¹ for producing
the note Bb in the lower register. Above this spatula 10 are situated three
spatulas 11, 12 and 13 placed one above the other as in the ordinary medium
clarionet the spatula 11 is for producing the cadence or shake of F 12 the
cadence or shake of a semi-tone; and 13 the cadence or shake of a tone.
With the object of giving complete solidity to the mechanism of the new instru-
ment, it is mounted by preference on rods as indicated in the drawings, but this
invention is not limited to this construction as any known system of mounting can
be used.
The action of the plates and spatulas of the mechanism is simple and direct, it
being sufficient to press a plate or a spatula in order to close the corresponding
key. As will be obvious pedal or contrabass clarionets (double bass) according to
this invention may be variously modified without departing from the nature of the
invention. Thus there may be applied mechanism for giving a double action to
the various keys, either by opposing springs, or by connecting pieces or what are
termed "correspondences."
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The new musical instrument, pedal clarionet or contrabass clarionet (double
bass) constructed substantially as herein described for the purposes specified.
2. In a clarionet, the application to the mechanism for working the keys, of
plates substantially as herein described for the purpose specified.
Dated this 6th day of May 1891.
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham.