The pinch Bb has always been a stuffy note on the Clarinet
due to the normal register vent being too short. Increasing the length of the
vent internally creates problems. Avrahm Galper created a longer register vent
by extending the vent outside of the body of the clarinet. This not only
remedies the stuffy Bb problem but also makes the clarinet feel much more
even-blowing in the upper register. Uneven resistance for the Buffet Bb
Clarinet is now a thing of the past.
The Galper Key/Tube was invented by Internationally known
and respected, Avrahm "Abe" Galper. Abe was principal clarinetist
with the Toronto Symphony for 30 years. Mr. Galper also served as principal
clarinetist with the Palestine Opera Company, the Israel Philharmonic, the
C.B.C. Symphony, the Toronto Philharmonic, and the Canadian Opera Company.
Mr. Galper played under conductors Andrew Davis, Karl
Ancerl, Seiji Ozawa, Walter Susskind, Sir Ernest Macmillan, John Barbirolli,
Pierre Monteaux, Colin Davis, Efrem Kurtz, Charles Munch, Leopold Stokowski,
and many others.
Avrahm has taught at the Indiana University at
Bloomington. He has also given master classes in Beijing and Shanghai, China.
Galper was clarinet consultant to the Claude Watson School of Arts in Toronto.
He was a member of the Music Faculty at the University of Toronto and a member
of the Faculty of the Glenn Gould Professional School of Music at the Royal
Conservatory of Music in Toronto.
Mr. Galper first studied with Tzvi Tzipine in Palestine,
later with Frederic Thurston at the Royal College of Music in London. In New
York he studied with Simeon Bellison of the New York Philharmonic. Now through
his books and inventions, clarinetists of all ages and abilities can benefit
from Mr. Galper's experience as a professional clarinetist and teacher of
clarinet.
This is a comparison of the standard Buffet Register Tube
and the Galper Register Vent - Galper Vent is on the Right
Note that only the tubular part of Galper's invention
protrudes into the bore of the clarinet.
The Galper Tube:
Produces a much improved, more open throat or "pinch" Bb, as
good or better than the same tone produced by the alternate trill key
fingering.
Offers seamless transition between registers, potentially eliminating
the terms "break" and "grunt" from the clarinet lexicon of
all Galper key users.
Supports more fluid playing. Causes NO adverse effect on tone or
intonation. Includes replacement register vent and register key with
preinstalled cork pad and flat spring.
The key has recently been modified for compatibility with all Buffet R13
rod screws. Feels just like your existing register key.
The pad cup area of the key is arched (see Figure 3 below) to
accommodate the new vent. The touch piece feels identical to that of the
original R13 register key. Installs easily enough for competent
do-it-yourselfers.
Figure of the Register Key/Tube Combination:
Included are the New Vent and New Register Key with
Preinstalled Cork Pad and Flat Spring. You use the original Buffet rod screw to
attach the key to your clarinet.
Requirements for using the Galper
Key:
Buffet R13 Bb clarinet in proper playing condition*
Clean, padded work surface
Rag or shop towel
Screwdriver sized correctly to remove and insert rod screw
Vent Tube Removal Tool (see Figure 4) or cushioned handle of
needle-nose or other pliers.
Cotton swab and clean water
Key lubricating oil
Candle wax or bee's wax
Votive or other household candle
* If your clarinet is not already in top playing condition
with well-seated pads, you would be wise to have the instrument overhauled
before investing in Galper's register vent and key. Or, better yet, ask your
local repairer to overhaul the instrument and install the Galper mechanism at
the same time!
Buffet R13 Bb Clarinet after Removal of Original Register
Key.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Disclaimer: If you are not comfortable working on your
clarinet, do not attempt to install this device. You could crack your
instrument or burn yourself. This is an adults-only project. Even then, it is
only for those adults who are handy with basic tools and aware of proper safety
procedures. If you have any misgivings about performing this procedure, ask a
local musical instrument technician to perform it for you. The cost should be
minimal. Installation takes nor more than 15 minutes. If you are an adult and
feel competent working on your clarinet, here are the steps to follow.
PREPARE YOUR CLARINET
Use an appropriate size screw driver to remove the rod screw from the
register key of your clarinet. Set the key aside for now.
Wipe the rod screw with the rag or shop cloth to clean the screw's
surface of oily residue. (If the "gunk" is heavy, use a little
rubbing alcohol on the rag to help clean the screw and its threads.)
Insert the Vent Tube Removal Tool (or pliers handle) carefully into the
top opening of the upper joint of the clarinet. This is the end that is nearer
the register vent.
Place the flattened end of the tool against the register vent inside the
bore of the instrument. The vent is removed from the inside and pops outside
the clarinet.
Press the tool (or pliers handle) toward the wall of the clarinet to
"pop" the register vent out of its hole. Do not use extraordinary
force. Do not to strike the bore of the clarinet with the tool.
Set the original register vent aside next to the original register key.
Later on, you can store the original key and vent in a safe place.
Use the cotton swab and a drop of water to clean the register vent hole.
Allow the hole to air dry.
INSTALL GALPER'S REGISTER VENT AND KEY
Rub a very light coating of candle wax or bee's wax over the sides of
the tubular half of Galper's register vent.
From the outside of your clarinet, insert the tubular end of the vent as
far as it will go into your clarinet. Do not overtighten. The candle wax may
create some frictional resistance but it helps ensure a secure fit. Your
instrument should look like Figure 6 below.
Put a small drop of key oil on the threads of the rod screw.
Install Galper's register key using the Buffet rod screw and your
screwdriver.
TEST FOR LEAKS
Cup the bottom of the upper joint of your clarinet with the fleshy part
of your right palm to seal off the bottom tenon.
Close the ring key holes and the C/G hole with your left hand as if you
were playing chalumeau C. This completely closes the upper joint so you can
find out if any pads are leaking.
Create suction by drawing a vacuum with your mouth at the top of the
joint. If the instrument's pads are perfectly sealed, the suction should be
very strong and you should feel some of the flesh of your right hand gently
drawn into the joint.
Whether or not your instrument passes the suction test in the previous
step, cover the holes for chalumeau C, block the bottom tenon, and blow through
the clarinet to see if there are any leaks or weak springs. If your instrument
passes the suction and blowing tests, you are ready to assemble and play test
your clarinet. Skip to the "PLAY TEST YOUR CLARINET" section below.
If the tests fail and you are certain that all of the other pads on your
clarinet are seated properly (and springs are sufficiently tensioned to keep
normally closed keys closed) proceed with the next section.
RESEAT THE CORK PAD (IF NEEDED)
If the instrument fails either of the tests described in
the section above, the pad in Galper's register key probably needs to be
reseated. Continue with these steps to reseat the pad:
Remove the Galper register key
Light a votive or other household candle. (Woodwind technicians will
probably use their alcohol lamp.)
Carefully position the pad end of Galper's key above the candle with the
metal pad cup toward the flame and the cork pad away from the flame and toward
you. Do not hold the key closer than 2 or 3 inches from the candle flame and do
not hold it there for more than 5 seconds. You want to liquefy the glue, not
scorch the key cup, or "toast" the pad. Distances may vary depending
on the heat generated by the candle. In any case, be careful because the pad
cup will be hot. I suggest using votive candles because they tend not to leave
carbon residue on the pad cup.
While the key cup is still hot (and the glue liquefied), rotate and
"float" the pad so that it sits evenly in the pad cup. Replace the
key on your clarinet, adjusting the pad in the cup as you do so to maintain a
good seal. Use the suction and blowing tests described above to judge the
evenness of the seal. Reseat the pad, if necessary, until your instrument
passes the tests and is leak free.
Extinguish the candle as soon as you are finished seating the cork pad
to avoid accidents.
Allow the pad to settle in for several minutes to allow the glue to
solidify. If you allow the new pad to sit overnight, a consistently even
"ring" will most likely form in the cork pad by morning.
Store the original Buffet register vent and register key in the
packaging that came with your Galper vent and key.
PLAY TEST THE CLARINET AND ENJOY!
This invention can do wonders for students and adults who
want to enjoy playing their clarinet more. For musicians who seek perfection in
their playing, the innovation is a must-have improvement over the stock Buffet
vent/key combination.
Write me David Blumberg at blummy@ comcast.net for
ordering info ( be sure to remove the space after @) . Specify if your Buffet
Bb Clarinet is pre or post 300,000 serial number as the register screw size
changed at that point.
The cost is only $150 US - we have customers worldwide.
International Shipping no problem
Note: the Key/Tube is brass/gold color. We are looking
into possibly silverplating the Galper Key as an additional option.
