Klarinet Archive - Posting 000005.txt from 1997/12

From: Roger Shilcock <roger.shilcock@-----.uk>
Subj: Re: New topic...when to transcribe?
Date: Mon, 1 Dec 1997 11:23:21 -0500

Personally, I don't see why anyone should *want* to have a similar
embouchure on the bass - one is dealing with two pretty different
instruments. I started out that way on the bass, but found I couldn't
control it. Also, if you try to sit with the top part of the instrument
sloping away, you will be sitting right on the edge of your seat, which
may well not be a good thing for several reasons, not least the increased
likelihood of falling off. Another reason is that it can make breathing
difficult.
Roger Shilcock

On Mon, 1 Dec 1997, Roger Garrett wrote:

> Date: Mon, 1 Dec 1997 08:30:54 -0600 (CST)
> From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
> Reply-To: klarinet@-----.us
> To: klarinet@-----.us
> Subject: Re: New topic...when to transcribe?
>
> On Sun, 30 Nov 1997, Andrea Kellaway wrote:
>
> > Thanks to Roger and Jennifer for all of your great advice!
> >
> > Yes, Jennifer, I am playing on a more sax-like set up. That is why, Roger, I was so
> > confused at your statement that the clarinet and bass clarinet embouchures are a lot
> > alike. I too play on a student model, but it has a great tone, so I have never seen
> > any need to change, but it is the saxophone set up that is doing me harm, I agree.
> > Unfortunately, I do not have the money for a better set-up, and all the bass
> > clarinets my university owns have the same set up, so I am at a loss for what to do.
> > Is it possible to get a proper neck custom made, I wonder?
>
> Andrea...
>
> I have students set the instrument under their chair (the pin that is!)
> with the horn at an angle and use a neck strap to support the instrument.
> This is the only way to get the angle to be more like a clarinet. Yes,
> you end up tilting your head a bit.....not as bad as the Charles Bay
> advertisement suggests....but a little. I learned this from Oliver Green
> in the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and I played that way until only a few
> years ago when I bought my first Buffet Prestige Bass with the modified
> neck. If you are short, you may need a taller chair or to sit on
> something to raise you up, but this is the only way I know to modify the
> placement. I absolutely do not support the notion of changing the
> embouchure because of a physical problem like the angle of the neck.
> Other solutions?
>
> Roger Garrett
> IWU
>
>