Klarinet Archive - Posting 000180.txt from 1996/08

From: "Scott D. Morrow" <SDM@-----.EDU>
Subj: Bass Cl.: To Strap or Not To Strap? (formerly Neckstraps)
Date: Wed, 7 Aug 1996 12:33:11 -0400

>With respect to bassclarinet neckstraps. I havent' been playing bass
>clar. long and have made the transition with no instruction. I figured
>sine there were eyes for a strap I'd try one. I've beeeeeen using a sax
>strap in conjunction wiht a peg. However there is the second eye.. would
>getting a true strap with 2 hooks make a difference? WHat do othe rpeople
>use strap, peg ..e tc.
>
>
>
>
> /// Daniel Jay Abramovich

Since I usually just play bass clar. when doubling, I sometimes use
a strap and sometimes don't, depending on the passage and how much time I
have to pick up/ put down the instrument. I usually use the strap when I'm
playing a passage that requires a lot of changes of the position of the
mouthpiece in my mouth (I guess I sort of cheat: I pull the mouthpiece
into a soprano position to play high notes!). I prefer the peg for very low
sections (below the throat tones), as it frees both hands, and I usually
don't have to lip much down there! I don't own my own bass, so I've
borrowed various instruments over the years; none of them has ever had a
double-hook strap. I've always assumed that the two eyes were there to
give you a choice of position.

-Scott

Scott D. Morrow
Department of Biochemistry
School of Hygiene and Public Health
Johns Hopkins University
(410)-955-3631

SDM@-----.edu