Right hand B-flat key

atoriphile · Post by **atoriphile** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 11:48 pm

I noticed that the design of the right hand B-flat key on my Gemeinhardt 4W piccolo is different than all other piccolos (and flutes) I have seen. On the underside (where it lifts when the key is pressed), instead of being flat and overlapping RH1, it is cylindrical and has a clear plastic sheath covering it. I'm assuming this sheath is for padding and to prevent rubbing.

I never noticed it was different until the other day when my B-flat hole stopped closing all the way. I found the plastic sheath on my lap (luckily!) and didn't know where it came from. After examining the piccolo, I was able to figure out where it went and put it back on. That's what brought my attention to the strange design.

Has anyone ever seen this design before? Do all 4W piccolos have this design?

I have seen pictures of other Gemeinhardt piccolos on eBay that do not have this design. Do any other Gemeinhardt piccolos (4P, 4S, KG Limited, Roy Seaman) have this design?

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 12:02 am

Which key are you talking about? The Bb key exists only in the left hand, but perhaps it's the F key (which is used for 1+1 Bb) that you're talking about? And do you mean that there is a cylindrical protusion from the bottom of one key that has a plastic sheath over it, or is the key itself somehow cylindrical?

atoriphile · Post by **atoriphile** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 8:32 am

Flutiepicc06 -

I am referring to the right hand B-flat "trill" key (though I use it more often as an alternate fingering for B-flat).

Sorry, I don't have the capability to take photos and post them. I've been searching the Web for a picture showing this, but haven't come up with anything yet.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 11:36 am

OH! Now I understand [ at least I hope so], and that IS unusual.
how interesting... I assume that you are speaking of the little 'arm' on the back of the mechanism that touches the tubing of the picc [ if it comes out of adjustment the tech usually rebends the 'arm' to the proper positioning, or puts another cork shim on the underside]. A plastic sheath over that thing.... hmmm. interesting indeed.

briolette · Post by **briolette** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 12:07 pm

That is interesting! I've got an older gemindhart picc and it doesn't have that plastic sheathing...I guess it's a new design feature for padding purposes? Not sure.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 12:22 pm

atoriphile wrote:Flutiepicc06 -

I am referring to the right hand B-flat "trill" key (though I use it more often as an alternate fingering for B-flat).

Sorry, I don't have the capability to take photos and post them. I've been searching the Web for a picture showing this, but haven't come up with anything yet.

The Bb shake, eh? If you mean the key itself, I can't say I've ever seen one constructed like that, nor do I really understand why you'd need a sheath on it. However, if you mean the tail or kicker, as Fluteguy suggested, then I have seen several piccs constructed like this. I can't vouch for all the Gemeinhardts, but I was working on one a few weeks ago (it was a 4PMH) that also was built like that.

atoriphile · Post by **atoriphile** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 3:27 pm

fluteguy18 -

Yes, it is the little 'arm' on the back of the mechanism. Apparently this is known as the 'Bb-F linkage'. When you press the F key, this linkage causes the Bb key to close.

flutepicc06 -

No, not the key itself, but the "tail or kicker". Instead of being flat and having cork under it for padding (as in most flutes and piccolos), my 4W has a cylindrical tube covered by a plastic sheath. When the F key is pressed, its tail lifts this, causing the Bb key to close.

From another forum, I found out that this mechanism is used a lot on saxophones, but not so often on piccolos.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 4:57 pm

atoriphile wrote:fluteguy18 -

Yes, it is the little 'arm' on the back of the mechanism. Apparently this is known as the 'Bb-F linkage'.

That little arm, which is more often referred to as a tail or kicker, is part of the linkage between the F and Bb keys, but is not itself called a linkage....The terminology can be very confusing, but should you ever need to discuss something about this part of the mech again, using the generally accepted names should get clearer and more accurate responses more quickly.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 5:44 pm

Ah-Ha! that is the term I couldnt remember. Kicker/ tail. I heard another name for it, but those suffice. I wish I could have remembered it on my own .

atoriphile · Post by **atoriphile** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 8:05 pm

Thanks everyone for the responses.

Is there a dictionary or other reference that provides names for all these parts? I tried looking on the web for what to call it, but couldn't find anything. I couldn't even find a picture of it. (After all, a picture is worth a thousand words!)

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 8:43 pm

There are some guides, but of course, none can name every part of a flute (unless it's a very large exploded view). I like one of them in particular that was put together by two of the bigger names in the flute world, but unfortunately, the names escape me at the moment. When I remember, or manage to find it through innumerable google searches, I'll post the link here. There are several books available, such as The Flute Book, and another by Ardal Powell, that I believe name some of the parts of the flute, and are worth reading anyway.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 8:45 pm

Found it! It's probably the best single resource for part names I've seen. Other diagrams have other parts, but are missing some of the major ones listed here....Anyway, here's the link:

http://www.larrykrantz.com/keyname.htm

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 9:57 pm

Yeah, I found that by accident a few months ago, but I couldnt quite remember where it was..... [or else I would have looked up that word..

there was also another sort of 'dictionary' with pictures and explanations, but I cant seem to remember where it was.... I will try to find it really quick.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 10:07 pm

Found it. Not all of it is completely accurate, but for the most part it does a pretty good job of describing [and sometimes illustrating] some parts and mechanisms that some may not know about or how to explain.

http://www.fluteworld.com/index.php?act ... na&wart=13

shortandsilly · Post by **shortandsilly** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 8:45 am

flutepicc06 wrote:Found it! It's probably the best single resource for part names I've seen. Other diagrams have other parts, but are missing some of the major ones listed here....Anyway, here's the link:

http://www.larrykrantz.com/keyname.htm

wow, that is the best flute map i have EVER seen on the internet. i love it, thnks(: