Klarinet Archive - Posting 000443.txt from 1997/10

From: "C Henderson" <chenderson@-----.au>
Subj: Re: Crossing ankles, sitting, and playing the cello. Not.
Date: Sun, 12 Oct 1997 15:07:04 -0400

> I wrote:
> > I find it more comfortable too - but what do you do when the conducto=
r
> > 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!)?
>
And Dee wrote:
> Personally I think if you don't affect your breathing and don't muffle =
the
> notes
> with your clothes or legs, that it's no problem. BUT you are fighting
> traditional
> training attitudes here.
>
> If he is much larger than you are, ask him how long he can hold say a =
tenor
> sax (or
> even baritone sax if he is really big) without a strap and without rest=
ing it
> on
> something.

Problem! He's about my height - he's a real shorty - has to stand on a =
podium to conduct so the people in the back rows can see him!

> Now for a couple of possible practical solutions.
>
> 1. Have your tried a neck strap? They do help a lot of people and on
> television I
> saw the clarinettist of the Metropolitan Opera orchestra using one. I =
use one
> sometimes.
>
> 2. I have seen a stand in a catalog designed to support the weight of =
the
> clarinet
> while playing. I don't know how well it works though.

I guess I wasn't very clear in my post. I cross my ankles (but don't res=
t my clarinet on my knees) not because I need to rest the clarinet on som=
ething, but because my legs are too short to put my feet flat on the floo=
r without my legs going numb from the edge of the seat cutting the circul=
ation (in fact, on most chairs, I can get my toes on the floor, but not =
my heels). I'd also add that because of back problems, I *have* to sit =
up straight, so it doesn't affect my posture in that sense.

More thoughts, anyone?

Clare
*******************************************************
Clare Pascoe Henderson
variously clarinetist, writer/lecturer, herbalist
chook fanatic and menagerie manager
<chenderson@-----.au>
*******************************************************

   
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