Klarinet Archive - Posting 000184.txt from 1996/08

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.EDU>
Subj: Bass clarinet and neckstraps
Date: Wed, 7 Aug 1996 12:33:15 -0400

Rosario Mazzeo, who lives a short distance from me (and in California, 60
miles is a short distance) was formerly the bass clarinetist with the Boston
Symphony Orchestra. A great player, a great teacher, a super person.

Mazzeo swore by the neckstrap suggesting that the high notes were perilous
without one.

On the other hand, I never could use one. The angle of the strap from neck
to strap connection on the instrument's body was invariably such that it
touched me hand and distracted me during execution. However, I did have
to have a page on my instrument or else I found Mazzeo's comments quite
realistic. But with a peg, I never had any problems with high note, even
up to high f# and g, notes which occur in solo on the Gubaiduluna cello
concerto. You are all alone up at the top of the instrument and one
false slip and you're dead. But, for me at least, a peg worked find and
I never once used a strap.

When I would go to coach with Mazzeo he would have fits when I played
without a neckstrap but when I explained that they got in the way of
my right hand, he said the equivalent of "baloney." We never agreed on
this item, but it is OK to disagree even with an authority.

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