Klarinet Archive - Posting 000698.txt from 1997/04

From: Roger Shilcock <roger.shilcock@-----.uk>
Subj: Re: Clarinet angle
Date: Wed, 23 Apr 1997 07:00:33 -0400

On Tue, 22 Apr 1997, L. BORCHERT wrote:

> Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 14:24:41 -0600 (MDT)
> From: "L. BORCHERT" <lborcher@-----.edu>
> Reply-To: klarinet@-----.us
> To: "Randall, Stephen/LON" <srandall@-----.com>
> Cc: '@-----.us>
> Subject: Re: Clarinet angle
>
> The angle of the clarinet from the body into the embouchure should
> be the angle that allows the reed to respond optimally to the airstream.
> What is, then, that optimal angle? That is the real question.
> There is not just one angle. Most of the newer pedagogy materials
> say 30-35 degrees from the body. There is some variation depending on
> the shape of the individual oral cavity, teeth, and lips. You can check
> this yourself by standing with your back against a wall or door,
> contacting the surface with your head, shoulders, and rear end (that's bum
> to UK readers). As you play, raise and lower your instrument and listen
> for the best tone quality and note the angle.
> The back against the door helps keep the rest of your body stable.
> For those of you who may remember the angle of Benny Goodman's
> clarinet, especially in some publicity photos, was quite large (more that
> 55 degrees). But, take note of the angle of his body; he is leaning way
> back. If he were to stand up straight, the angle would be much closer to
> 35 degrees.
>
> I realize that there are other subjects related to the clarinet
> angle topic (like the wedge effect of the mouthpiece anchored behind the
> teeth or "chonk" as Leon Russionoff called it), but this may help get some
> additional discussion started.
>
>
> On Tue, 22 Apr 1997, Randall, Stephen/LON >
>
> >
> > A sax/flute/clarinet teacher acquaintance of mine tells me that if his
> > pupils water up he takes this to be a sign that they are not holding the
> > bell of the instrument high enough. His theory is that there is an
> > optimum angle of dangle for a clarinet at which the water behaves itself
> > and keeps out of the holes. This angle is generally nearer horizontal
> > than most players, particularly beginners, like to use. I can't say
> > that this matches my experience or intuition. Does anyone know
> > different?
> >
> > Thirdly:
> >
> > Surely the approved method of removing water from tone holes is to wait
> > until the flautist is caressing a ppp passage and then to give a hearty
> > blow across the offending hole. If you can contrive to drop your
> > mouthpiece cover (metal is essential for this) at the same time, the
> > effectiveness of the operation can be considerably enhanced. (:->)
> >
> > Stephen Randall
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
30 degrees seems pretty steep. Holding the instrument too close to the
vertical *does* make water in the C#/G# and/or side E flat/B flat holes
more likely, it seems to me. Also, it must make the weight on the thumb
more uncomfortable, and this can result not only the worsening of
physical hand
or wrist problems but alos a wrong position for the R.H. fingers.
I don't have a pro's experience on this, but all things have happened to
me.
Roger Shilcock