Klarinet Archive - Posting 000379.txt from 1996/08

From: thehat@-----.ORG
Subj: Bass Clarinets: Unique In
Date: Mon, 12 Aug 1996 21:41:24 -0400

In a message dated 08-11-96 INTERNET: DGross1226@-----. wrote to ** ALL **:
ID> For me, especially when playing contra, my mouth is almost straight
ID> to the mouthpiece which gives a much more relaxed embouchure (really
ID> relaxed lower lip) and allows that monstrous reed to vibrate
ID> properly. I'm sure baritone (and bass) sax players are in the same
ID> boat. The only reason I could see for angling a mouthpiece to match
ID> the soprano clarinet angle is (1) for infrequent doublers who use
ID> No. 4 or 5 bass clarinet reeds because that's the strength they're
ID> use to with with their Bb and A horns. (If no one will tell, after
ID> trying virtually all brands of bass clarinet -- and tenor sax --
ID> reeds on my 1950 Selmer Paris low Eb horn, give me a good old Rico
ID> 2-1/2 every time) or (2) when playing altissimo notes (I do angle
ID> slightly to comfortably and safely reach those infrequently written
ID> notes).

ID> Does this make sense?

It makes sense if what you are saying is "everyone has their own needs and
needs to find the embochure style that works best for him/her." I have heard
the bass clarinet played very well by players whose embochures were
incomprehensible to me (actually, this applies DOUBLE to the b-flat clarinet
now that I think about it). It's just a case of "never mind the swing, get
the ball in the hole." Is that what you were saying?

David Hattner
clarinetist-at-large, NYC
-> Alice4Mac 2.5d3 E QWK Eval:04Feb96
Origin: hat's nut house