Klarinet Archive - Posting 001274.txt from 1999/01

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Pinky keys on Bass Clarinet was Pinky Keys
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1999 12:08:50 -0500

In a message dated 1/23/99 12:25:33 PM Central Standard Time,
leeson@-----.edu writes:

<< Roger Garrett in describing Schifrin's clarinet mentioned that the
thumb keys have been replaced with additional touchpieces to be operated
by the pinkies.

For those of us who have played bass clarinets and basset horns with
thumb keys, such a change would be wonderful.

Dan Leeson....and other bass clarinet players:

I also have the three dreaded thumb keys for low D, Db, C. I agree that
sliding from one to the other is NOT my best technical skill. However, Dan,
you mentioned that it is easier for bassoonists to slide the thumbs since the
weight of the bassoon is NOT supported by the thumb, leaving the thumb free
to navigate extra keys.

To alleviate this problem for myself, I built a bass clarinet stand last
summer. I basically bought a bunch of "stuff" at the hardware store and sawed,
drilled, assembled until I had an adjustable stand for the instrument.

I made it so that the instrument is held on the stand while playing, with all
the weight supported directly. The right thumb is only used to keep the
embouchure pressure from pushing the instrument away from the body. With all
weight and support requirements taken of the thumb, I found a wonderful new
fluency to my bass clarinet technique. Also I can play a lot longer with out
fatigue, including less fatigue for the neck and shoulders as well as my right
thumb/hand/arm.

I was very careful to allow adjustment for the angle of the instrument, and as
much as is possible with such a long instrument, the height.

Anyway, this was my solution, and so far it is working well. Any comment?

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