Mazzeo system
Encyclopedia
The Mazzeo system is a key system for the clarinet
invented by Rosario Mazzeo
in the 1950s, and is a modification of the Boehm system
. Exclusive mass-production rights were given to the Selmer
company, although only 13,000 were made. Many are now in museums, but some are in private collections or can be found for sale. Selmer's "Bundy" line of Resonite student instruments included a Mazzeo model.
The differences between a Boehm system clarinet and a Mazzeo system clarinet are
Full and modified Mazzeo clarinets feature
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
invented by Rosario Mazzeo
Rosario Mazzeo
Rosario Mazzeo was an American clarinetist and clarinet system designer. He was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts, and afterward lived in Boston, Massachusetts...
in the 1950s, and is a modification of the Boehm system
Boehm system (clarinet)
The Boehm system for the clarinet is a system of clarinet keywork, developed between 1839 and 1843 by Hyacinthe Klosé and Auguste Buffet jeune. The name is somewhat deceptive; the system was inspired by Theobald Boehm's system for the flute, but necessarily differs from it, since the clarinet...
. Exclusive mass-production rights were given to the Selmer
Selmer
Selmer can refer to:People*Elisabeth Schweigaard Selmer, Norwegian judge and politician*Ernst S. Selmer, Norwegian mathematician*Ernst W. Selmer, Norwegian phoneticist*Christian August Selmer, Norwegian lawyer and statesmanOther...
company, although only 13,000 were made. Many are now in museums, but some are in private collections or can be found for sale. Selmer's "Bundy" line of Resonite student instruments included a Mazzeo model.
The differences between a Boehm system clarinet and a Mazzeo system clarinet are
- The throat B using the A key and any one or combination of left-hand second or third finger or right-hand first, second, or third fingers to operate a linkage opening the third right-index-finger trill key, rather than using the inadequately vented register key to obtain that pitch; the same fingerings, minus A key, produce A; traditional (BoehmBoehmBoehm is a German surname, transliterated from Böhm. It may refer to:* Aleksandra Ziółkowska Boehm , American-Polish author* Barry Boehm , American software engineer...
) B and A fingerings are also available; - A left-hand-thumb plateau key;
- A ringless bell with less flare.
Full and modified Mazzeo clarinets feature
- An E/B key playable with the thumb, first, and third fingers and D/A key on the left-hand side;
- An articulated B to C keys;
- An alternate left-hand A/E key.