Klarinet Archive - Posting 000139.txt from 1998/02

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Bass clar. articulation
Date: Tue, 3 Feb 1998 13:16:30 -0500

On Tue, 3 Feb 1998, Scott D. Morrow wrote:
> Is the angle of the bass during playing really more of a discussion about
> whether you should play the bass with the mouthpiece at a soprano-type
> angle as opposed to more of a sax-type-horizontal position? I've always
> felt I was "cheating" when I played the bass with the mouthpiece angled
> down (but I do it occassionally, anyway - mostly when I'm playing passages
> in the upper ranges where I feel I have more control in a soprano
> position)!

There are two schools of thought (well, probably more, but we shall try to
be consice!): Play at the angle the neck presents, whether that be
straight (saxophone approach) or angled (clarinet approach).

In my opinion, and several others.....many of whom are more famous then I
can even imagine I will ever be (LOL.....*achem*), you are not cheating by
angling like a soprano clarinet....in fact, it is my feeling that this
enhances your playing of the horn. Keep in mind however, that many people
believe it makes no difference at all.

Roger Garrett
IWU