Klarinet Archive - Posting 000042.txt from 1994/02

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.EDU>
Subj: Pegs on clarinets
Date: Fri, 4 Feb 1994 16:16:42 -0500

Tom Ascher wants elaboration on my use of the term "peg." I am
sorry not to have been clear, Tom.

On larger members of the clarinet family, the instrument often
comes with a peg, or a 6-12 inch metal rod with a rubber grommet at
one end. It most often fits into a peg hold that has been attatched
to the bell of the instrument and, when being played, the instrument
rests on the peg which itself rests on the ground, grommet side down.

The person's height when sitting is the most important fact in the
placement of the peg. Shorter people required a longer peg and vice
versa. In my case, I have an 8 inch peg on my bass clarinet and 1
inch of it is exposed; i.e., my b.c. is 1 inch above the ground when
I play. If I were very tall, I would have to adjust it so that much
more would come into play.

I have pegs on both basset horns and my b.c. They are standard on
the contrabass clarinet. Alto clarinets may or may not have them depending
on the manufacturer.

Any competent repairperson can affix a peg onto almost anything. For
a B-flat or A clarinet, such a peg could be affixed to the lower joint
and it would extend at least 18-24 inches from there to the ground.
On would need a very long peg for a traditional clarinet. I have never
seen one used in this way but I can think of no significant reason whey
it could not be done.

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Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
(leeson@-----.edu)
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