Klarinet Archive - Posting 000662.txt from 1998/03

From: Jennifer Rose McKenna <jrm0013@-----.edu>
Subj: NeckStraps
Date: Wed, 11 Mar 1998 12:10:36 -0500

Since we were on the subject of weight of wooden clarinets I
thought now may be a good time to get my question answered. Here at North
Texas, I am one of the few (actually 3 out of 20) who don't use a
neckstrap when playing. Dr. Gillespie plays with a neck strap and so he
has persuaded all of his students to play with one. I will not resist to
pressure....call me a sucker for tradition, but I don't see an incredible
need to use them unless your the type to get nervous when performing a
solo (standing). All of the students also use them when seated in
emsembles. I would like to know how many of you use neck straps, and why?
I understand that the clarinet maybe heavy to hold and that is the reason
some people use neckstraps, but I've played Alto and Bari sax, and Bass
Clarinet, and those are the only instruments that I have found need a neck
strap(bass clarinet only when marching). I'm intreseted in your feed
back. Do you think that starting clarinet with a neck strap is advised, I
think that the student should build up the muscles in the forearm first.

thankyou in advance,

jennifer mckenna
jrm0013@-----.edu
university of north texas
music ed major/clarinet concentration