Klarinet Archive - Posting 000520.txt from 1998/03

From: m_shoe@-----.com
Subj: Standing with Bass/Colgrass Urban Requiem
Date: Sun, 8 Mar 1998 16:36:13 -0500

Hello everyone,

I am playing bass clarinet in Urban Requiem
by Michael Colgrass. This piece is for sax quartet and wind ensemble,
with the
sax quartet front center stage (semi circle around the conductor).
Well, about halfway through the piece, I have to walk from my section
over to the bari sax
in order to play a solo with him (these are the directions in the score).
I have 3 measures
in 3/4 at quarter=52 plus 6 measures of 2/4 at quarter=116 to get over to
the bari and
be ready to play. I have enough time, but it would be easier to remain
standing while I play
the solo.

Does anyone have any suggestions or experience standing with a bass
clarinet? I use a neck
strap (low C instrument, by the way) and I have to sort of lean it
against my leg. However, it is still
very awkward and uncomfortable. I suppose I could just sit for the solo,
but the bari (along with
the entire sax quartet) will be standing for the enitre piece...

Other suggestions have included propping the bell on something like a
cardboard box...any ideas of what might work?

Thanks (in advance),

Michelle Shoemaker