Hi everyone!

I was wondering what the difference is between a 15-key and a 17-key clarinet. Thanks!

~Amanda~ )

I`m not sure of all the features of the site so I don`t know if I can edit my post, etc., but it`s late and I forgot some important information in my post.

I`m asking about a B flat clarinet, and I would like to know the difference between a 15-key and a 17-key B flat clarinet. Thanks!

~Amanda~

Usually they are of different key systems. 17 key would be Boehm where as 15 key would be Albert. Oehler tends to have 19, 20 keys and up all the way till around 30. "Standard" Boehm has 17, but "Full" Boehm adds a couple keys to the equation [ and one ring ].

Bradley

Thanks a lot!

Do you know what Selmar student models usually are?

~Amanda~ )

That is, *Selmer*. Is there any way that I can edit my posts here?

Selmer student models like most student models are the standard 17 key 6 ring Boehm. Some older model professional Selmers have "full" Boehm, but for the most part the Selmer Paris and Selmer USA models are standard French Boehm.

Bradley

I want to make sure I understand what you mean by "different key systems". Does this mean that the fingering to get a certain note on a 15-key clarinet would be different form the fingering you would use to get the same note on a 17-key system?

Thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it.

~Amanda~

Usually- yes, that`s what it would mean. They look different too- it`s not just less/more keys.

Bradley

This posted as a new topic in a completely different forum when I first tried, so here I go again. LOL

I looked back through my old instructional clarinet books and saw nothing about "15" or "17-key". Would it say something about the book being geared to the "Albert system" or whatever system clarinet?

I`m still confused what the difference is between systems. So they are built differently and have different numbers of keys, therefore the fingers/keys you would use to play certain notes would be different?

~Amanda~

The Albert system is more commonly used in the middle east countries. If you don`t live there dont buy one. The standard clarinet for our area is the boehm system. You probably won`t find many book specifically for the albert system because nobody plays one here. The two system have different fingerings and the keys are placed in different areas.

Thank you very much. That was very helpful!

~Amanda~