Klarinet Archive - Posting 000083.txt from 1997/12

From: masiello@-----.com
Subj: Re: Bass clarinet necks
Date: Wed, 3 Dec 1997 00:53:20 -0500

Yes, I too agree with you Jennifer the angle of the Bass clarinet neck is
important to the embouchure. Comfort and the angle is crucial to the
formation of a good embouchure and if the angle is correct then switching
back and forth to the soprano clarinet will be easier.

Regards,

Tony Masiello
Glendale, Arizona

At 06:29 PM 12/1/97 -0600, you wrote:
>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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