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Klarinet Archive - Posting 000001.txt from 1995/08

From: Tom Izzo <tji@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Multiple playered Clarinets
Date: Tue, 1 Aug 1995 00:45:16 -0400

Andrea
On Tue, 1 Aug 1995, Andrea Spurdle wrote:

> Firstly, I hope this message reaches everyone successfully. I've been
> reading the Klarinet list for a few weeks, but this is the first time I've
> posted anything myself. It seems that it is customary to introduce oneself,
> so here's the introduction:
> I'm studying philosophy and computer science at university here in New
> Zealand, but virtually all my spare time is devoted to the clarinet. I
> mostly just play for myself, but I've recently started playing in the
> Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra in those rare concerts when they do a work
> that requires four clarinets. I also do a little bit of teaching, mostly
> beginner students.
>
> I've been surprised that during the discussion of multiple playered
> clarinets and mouthpieces fitting into the bottom joint, no-one's mentioned
> a trick that I learned a few years ago using two or more clarinets. You can
> fit the barrel of one clarinet onto the bottom tenon of the top joint of
> another clarinet, thus getting one-and-a-half clarinets with one
> mouthpiece. Makes sense if you think about it - if the mouthpiece will fit
> onto the lower joint, then the top of the barrel ought to fit onto the
> bottom of the upper joint. The beauty of this is that it is infinitely
> extendable - you can join up as many clarinets as you have into one
> mega-clarinet (for want of a better word).
>
> There are, of course, some practical problems when you're dealing with
> different makes of clarinet. Some of the connections will be too tight, and
> others too loose. But with careful juggling, I've managed to get an
> instrument with four barrel/top joint combinations in a row. However, I
> don't think I could get a sound from anything with more than three.
>
> Whether anyone would seriously want to play music on an instrument like
> this is an open question, but it's a good diversion for bored beginner
> classes, and they learn something about breathing technique at the same
> time - it isn't easy to get a sound from these long instruments! We managed
> some pretty amazing 'scales' with three or four people standing either side
> of the instrument, each playing 'their' section.
>
> Something to try on a rainy day....
>
> Andrea Spurdle
> aspu01@-----.nz
>
To again quote the illustrious Professor Peter Schickele, there once was
the famous three-handed organist "Immaunel Pedal", maybe we should find a
three or four-handed Clarinetist, thereby ....

Tom
tji@-----.edu