Mazzeo system
Appearance
The Mazzeo system is a key system for the clarinet invented by Rosario Mazzeo in the 1950s,[1] and is a modification of the Boehm system. Exclusive mass-production rights were given to the Selmer company, although only 13,000 were made.[citation needed] 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 (Boehm) 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.