Klarinet Archive - Posting 000982.txt from 1998/02

From: "Scott Morrow" <sdm@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Backwards clarinets
Date: Fri, 27 Feb 1998 16:01:19 -0500

>To answer your question, I've never heard of such. It's acoustically
>possible, but I can't think of any advantage. Yet another anecdote; this
>one actually pertains. I'm left-handed, so when I joined beginner band I
>asked my band director if this would affect my clarinet playing. His
>reply: "Right now, one hand knows about as much as the other about
>clarinet playing." I think both hands are equally taxed in clarinet
>playing, to be sure.

When I was handed my first clarinet on my first day of instrumental
instruction in the fourth grade, I instinctively tried to hold it with my
right hand on top. (I am right-handed).
I've gotten better!

I personally believe that, with any musical instrument, you should learn how
to play it the way they're made and not worry about "handedness". I agree
with the statement above that "each hand knows as much as the other" about
playing an instrument at the beginning.
Your "handedness" may give you different advantages, depending on which hand
it is: on a string instrument, you may bow better (or pick better on
guitars) if you are right-handed; but you may finger much more deftly if
you are left-handed. It seems to me that both hands get a pretty even
workout on the clarinet! How many clarinetists have you ever heard complain
about not being able to play the notes on their left (or right) hand as well
as on the other?!!

-Scott

Scott D. Morrow
DNA Synthesis Core Facility
Department of Biochemistry
The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health
Baltimore, MD 21205
(410) 955-3631

   
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