Klarinet Archive - Posting 000131.txt from 1998/02

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Bass clar. articulation
Date: Tue, 3 Feb 1998 09:55:06 -0500

On Tue, 3 Feb 1998, Neil Leupold wrote:
> Something else with which I do not agree is the notion that the
> bass clarinet must be at an appreciable angle away from the body
> in order to form a correct embouchure, as well as to form the
> basis for all other technical issues which follow (i.e.; tonguing,
> breath support, etc.). The phrase I remember from the original
> post was to the effect that the bell is to be placed literally
> underneath the chair between the player's legs, such that the
> instrument protrudes forward at an angle from that resting point
> on the ground. If Roger Garrett made this statement, then I
> understand why, because Laurie Bloom plays this way.

I am scratching my head trying to figure out how something I said can
somehow be connected with Lawrie Bloom's playing? I wasn't aware that he
played that way......and I watched him solo with the CSO two years ago
while standing (with a 20-30" peg!)......I don't recall seeing the bell
anywhere near the area beneath his body or legs.....are you sure? At any
rate, if you will take time to re-read my post, I said that Olviver Green
(almost 40 years with the Detroit Symphony) suggested this approach. The
reasoning behind it was with regard to the nearly straight neck - and
Oliver's 30 year old Selmer (with low C) has a very straight neck!

> I guess
> one question I have is: Is it possible to play with the instrument
> at such an angle without using a neckstrap?

When playing at an angle, no......I used a neck strap all the time until I
bought the Buffet with the nice, sharply angled neck.

> I don't use a neck-
> strap, and I also do not play with my instrument at such an angle.
> I sit up very straight regardless of which instrument I'm playing
> (soprano v. bass), and sometimes my bass clarinet is even leaning
> backward toward me, rather than forward and away. This technique
> does not present any problems during practice or performance, and
> I manage perfectly well on Daphnis and Grofe' and Till and Stravinsky
> and so forth. Again, just a separately valid option regarding one's
> approach to bass clarinet technique. We must never get into the
> mindset that there is ever only one right answer.

Now we have several viewpoints......a good thing.

Roger Garrett
IWU