Hi all
I have just received an 1895 E J Albert simple system. It looks immaculate, is made of rosewood and has a wooden mouthpiece and matching reed cover. I think it's in A but not sure. The tone is lovely but getting notes just above the break, B and C is very difficult. Has anyone any advice or know of any fingering charts?

Yes! come to Keswick Jazzfest and watch the greatest Albert system jazz player in the whole wide world! Although he's based in the Midlands so you might find it easier to get to one of his club sessions. He's a really nice chap and I'm sure would be happy to chat to you about it. Let me know if you want some details


Edit: I've just been looking at the Dolmetsch web site, and they have links to a couple of sites specialising in the Albert system. One of them has a link to a fingering chart, although I have to say the link didn't work for me. The site manager might be able to help though.

One of the Albert sites listed the current players of the Albert system and I recognised another couple of names from the Keswick jazzfest. One of them is from Germany and he's excellent, the other is based in this country and is extremely knowledgeable about a lot of things to do with the clarinet and the music from the 1920s period when the Albert system was used. I know I've got contact details somewhere if you want me to put you in touch

Keswick jazzfest - 7-11 May! It's brilliant Carl!


Edit Edit: Oooo I'm getting all excited now thinking about Keswick! There's somebody else going who was given George Lewis's clarinet, which is either Albert system or even older - it's from about 1910, metal and held together with rubber bands but he gets an amazing sound out of it!

I've had a look in one of my books, and there's a fingering chart for "simple system and other non-Boehm" clarinets. It looks quite complicated but I'll scan it and email it to you if you like

That would be great, Skylark, thank you.

I've sent you 2 images - let me know if you have any problem with them. It looks awfully complicated

*envious* ! Most of them should be roughly the same - though you might have to use alternatives like long Bb and so on. With a bit of investigation I'm sure you could work out which keys to press for which holes Here are a few more fingering charts - not sure if any apply to yours though.

Thanks Rosemary and Skylark. I am having fun experimenting. Slowly getting there but didn't realise how difficult and diferent they are to play!