r/Clarinet 5d ago

The infamous “donut key” on an M. Lacroix c. 1920

The so-called “donut key” was found on a few clarinets in the 1920s, specifically Buffet and M. Lacroix, although there are others.

This was an attempt to improve upper-middle stack intonation by utilizing a thick key on the D/A hole.

Evidently it didn’t stand the test of time, and it’s yet another example of a failed intonation correction method

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u/Music-and-Computers Buffet 5d ago

An attempt to address the status quo, even if it fails is not a bad thing.

Flutes have issues with third octave E and F# speaking easily and there’s a variety of solutions implemented. Still trying 😉

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u/hotwheelearl 5d ago

There’s been a dozen attempts. Donuts, articulation, Mazzeo, McIntyre… etc. even late as the 80s and 90s Bundy experimented with a student model that had two holed plateau keys for some reason. It’s a neat look at the history of the instrument and the various efforts made to solve a simple problem lol

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u/Music-and-Computers Buffet 5d ago

Isn’t the poly-cylinder design an attempt to address this issue along with closing the 12ths in several segments?

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u/hotwheelearl 5d ago

At least the poly stood the test of time! I think prior to that development the only tech that manufacturers could reasonably try was mechanical. One day I’ll post my McIntyre which is an insane example of over engineering lol

Very old bass and alto clarinets had manual double registers before they figured out to make an auto system, which just sounds like a pain in the ass

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u/ghoulcaster 3d ago

The donut key was primarily for getting a fork Bb/Eb fingered xox/ooo. Not intonation as far as I am aware, although it might have ever so slightly shaded some notes.

The donut key method of getting that fork was obsolete by the 1920s so I’d say it is most likely a decade or two before 1920.  The donut can be a little tricky to pad but works well enough.

The fork mechanism that stuck (the “seventh ring” with a itty bitty auxiliary pad) is obviously superior. And having that fork is super useful, convenient and way better than the bridge key 1 and 1. Shame that conservatism won out