Klarinet Archive - Posting 000707.txt from 1997/04

From: "L. BORCHERT" <lborcher@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Clarinet angle
Date: Wed, 23 Apr 1997 12:24:10 -0400

On Wed, 23 Apr 1997, Roger Shilcock wrote:

> >
> > >
> 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
>
>
>
The 30-35 degree angle is an approximation, however I would
disagree with your description of the angle as more uncomfortable. If you
hold a glass of water in front of you, especially for any period of time,
you bring that glass closer to your body and not out further; the weight
of the glass is then better distributed according to natural muscle and
bone support. The same is true of the clarinet. However, if your hand
position, particularly the RH pinky and ring finger are already tense,
there may be a further increase in those fingers. I have moved my thumb
rest to help the relaxation, but that is mostly because I have large
hands.
As far as the condensation in the bore of the clarinet is
concerned, I have not painted oil on the
bore (maybe I should), but I don't seem to have any unusual problems with
water. That could be because I swab out whenever I get the chance in
rehearsal or performance. For me, it has not been a major problem.

Laroy

Dr. Laroy Borchert
Professor of Clarinet
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM 88003

   
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