Klarinet Archive - Posting 000028.txt from 1997/12

From: Jennifer Rose McKenna <jrm0013@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Bass clarinet necks
Date: Mon, 1 Dec 1997 19:29:11 -0500

I'm sorry, but i have to disagree with you on the statement that the angle
means nothing, because it does, if the angle is off, then the amount of
pressure you would use would also be off, and that was what you originally
stated. I have experience playing between both the clarinet and bass
clarinet and the embouchure should remain similar, and if you use a neck
that is shaped at the wrong ANGLE than the embouchure will be wrong,
resulting in embouchure problems, and like me TMJ; which is something
everyone wants to avoid, so in conclusion i believe that you statement of
the angle having nothing to do the sound, that is wrong, it has a large
amount to do with it, becuase it relates so heavily to the embochure.

jennifer mckenna
university of north texas
jrm0013@-----.edu
clarinet concentration/music ed major

On Mon, 1 Dec 1997, Da Shouryu-man wrote:

> The problem with the bass clarinet neck is not really a problem at all.
> As a clarinet major with an emphasis on low clarinets (all low clarinets),
> I have encountered this topic many times with different people. I also
> moderately proficient with saxes (all, sans the soprano and sopranino).
>
> In truth, there is no such thing as a 'sax embochure (sp?)'. The
> embochures of
> the saxes and clarinets are the same fundamentally. The real difference
> is pressure. The construction of the saxophone requires that from the
> middle C (fourth space) and up, you can play with pretty much the same
> pressure the clarinets, and virtually the same embochure altogether.
> Anything below the middle C requires less and less pressure on the reed.
> This holds true with all saxes in my experience (I am told that the
> soprano requires an unusally loose embochure, however). The ANGLE has
> NOTHING to do with the sound, only ARTICULATION. Saxes, in general, do
> not use the exact same tonguing method clarinetists use (or SHOULD use, as
> the case often is), which is the tip of the tounge striking only the tip
> of the reed. Because of the angle that the mouthpiece is inserted,
> saxists cannot tongue as fast with this method with so much mouthpiece in
> their mouth. This is because the tongue must be pulled back farther into
> the mouth to make a tip to tip connection. Clarinetists do not have this
> problem because the mouthpiece is angled up more--we have the same amount
> of mouthpiece in our mouths, but it doesn't protrude as far back due to
> the angle, so our tongues can remain relatively less strained than saxes.
> Saxes generally tongue a little farther back on their tongue instead to
> compensate for the angle.
>
> Now, to apply this to bass clarinet. Since the angle of general necks
> place the angle much like saxes, use the same embochure as you would on a
> clarinet and sax. It's not different, really. (Note: Generally, you
> play on softer reeds on lower instruments, so the pressure won't be quite
> as firm; that is the one notable difference between sop. clar. and bass
> clar.) Instead of tonguing tip to tip as you would on clarinet, tongue as
> you would on sax, a bit farther back on the tongue...I might even go so
> far as to suggest anchor tongue at first, then work your way closer to the
> tip of the tongue. It IS possible to tongue tip to tip on the 'incorrect'
> angled necks, but you most likely won't be able to tongue as fast. (This
> holds true on saxes as well.)
>
> The point? The emborchures are the same. Just alter the articulation
> slightly. Now, if you've been playing clarinet for forever and are
> completely new to bass, yes, it will be awkward. But it's really not all
> that different.
>
> Shouryu Nohe
>
> Coming soon! A whole new Dope-onna-rope! That's right! Shouryu is
> changing EVERYTHING!!! A new signature with new and improved design! A
> new web page with...>gasp<...USEFUL STUFF! Stay tuned in December when
> Warm Up gets a whole new makeover!!! http://web.nmsu.edu/~jnohe
> (This does not mean, however, that Shouryu has a girlfriend yet.)
>

   
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