Klarinet Archive - Posting 000432.txt from 1997/10

From: YeomanHuff@-----.com
Subj: Re: Crossing ankles, sitting, and playing the cello. Not.
Date: Sun, 12 Oct 1997 01:51:30 -0400

In a message dated 97-10-11 08:21:53 EDT, chenderson@-----.au writes:

<< I find it more comfortable too - but what do you do when the conductor
blows you up for not sitting with your feet flat on the floor (and,
incidentally is a much better clarinettist than I am, so I can't beat him
in a technical discussion!)? >>

First question is... Is he a double lip player? If he is and he plays
without his kness at all, then I want his lips! If not (and I have to deal
with this with my students and their sometimes uneducated band directors)
then my advice is to play as the director asks during the rehearsal. Then
after the rehearsal quietly explain to the director that you play double lip
(and explain what that is, if necessary. You'd be surprised...) and request
that you be permitted to play with your knees. If the director still is
adament - so be it. What is an hour or so a day, anyway? The bulk of your
playing should be the hours you spend each day practicing in your studio
where there is no one but you and your horn, anyway. Use your knees then.

Also, you can use your knees with your feet flat on the floor. It works,
it's just not as comfortable.

Teri Herel.