Klarinet Archive - Posting 000315.txt from 1996/03

From: "Susan E. Pontow" <FBVB@-----.BITNET>
Subj: problems with being small
Date: Mon, 11 Mar 1996 17:09:05 -0500

Date: Mon, 26 Feb 1996 14:50:53 -0600 (CST)
From: Robbins Carol <NW78STU@-----.BITNET>

"My only problem is that I'm very short. This
may not seem like that much of a problem to anyone who is tall but I
assure you, it is. The reason it's such a problem is because, from
what I've been told, to make it as a pro, you must be able to play
any clarinet in the family like the bass clarinet. This is were my
handicap begins. See, I cannot even barely hold an alto clarinet much
less a bass clarinet. Should this really stop me from persueing a
career as a clarinetist? Thanks, gotta go.
Carol Robbins"

I don't think being short is a problem. I'm only 4'11.75" and I have small
hands -- they just barely span an octave on the piano. However, I have no
problems with playing bass clarinet. Bassoon is much tougher on small hands,
and I also didn't have too much difficulty with it. I knew a bassoon major
that had the same size hands as me. The problem comes in when your hands are
too small, no matter how tall you are.

The only problem I have with playing bass clarinet is playing one that has a
low C. Then I have to put a pillow or two on my chair. I bought some black
pillow cases so that I could play the instrument in our orchestra concerts.

I don't think that being small should stop you from pursuing a performance
career. It doesn't stop me at all. I'm a senior performance and education
major. Another female my size became a string bass major last year, as a
complete beginner, and she's better than some of the other bass majors! I
myself plan to become a good string bassist one day. If you're determined to
do something, nothing will ever stop you. (Barring physical catastrophe, of
course).

Susan Pontow
Indiana University of Pennsylvania