Klarinet Archive - Posting 000191.txt from 1998/04

From: avrahm galper <agalper@-----.com>
Subj: DENTURES AND CLARINET PLAYING
Date: Sun, 5 Apr 1998 15:14:04 -0400

Dentures and clarinet playing

There were quite a few postingS about the question of dentures.

Carl Baerman, in his preface to his method, says the bodily requirements
are; good health, a strong sound chest and good teeth (the front teeth
at least must be in good condition)

I read about one famous English player Julian Egerton,who played well
into his old age,and who had no teeth at all in his later days.
He supported his clarinet with pieces of cork in his mouth.
He is reported to have been the first English clarinet player to play
the Brahms quintet. He went to hear Muhlfeld's first London performance
in 1892.
Egerton's interpretation must have been very different than the fiery
German. His own style had a simple charm.

Another English player I met who had dentures was Brian Manton-Myatt. He
was the chief clarinet designer at Boosey and Hawkes.
He was a charming man and had studied with Gomez, the famous Spanish
clarinet player. He also knew many of the famous French players of his
day.
He was in his eighties when I heard him preluding quite extensively. A
beautiful sound and very sound technique. I told him that I would be
happy at the age of 70 just to be able to hold the clarinet in my mouth.

Having dentures is no new thing nowadays.
However, one should have a correct wind support for the playing. One
need not rely on brute force to play.

If one has to lose a tooth or two, its best to have some sort of bridge
put in to keep the sound the same. This is assuming that one started to
play the clarinet with a full set of teeth.
Loss of a tooth or two can affect the sound somewhat. Apparently the
teeth give some resonance to the sound.

So, happy flossing, brushing and water picking!

Avrahm Galper
THE UPBEAT BAERMANN MELODIC SCALE STUDIES
http://www.sneezy.org/avrahm_galper/index.html