Klarinet Archive - Posting 001067.txt from 1999/03

From: "Marty Marks" <RxReed@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: Orch bass cl/sax double
Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 10:27:11 -0500

-----Original Message-----
From: EbKlarinet@-----.com>
Date: Friday, March 19, 1999 1:18 AM
Subject: [kl] Re: Orch bass cl/sax double

>btw, it is well-known that clarinetists make the best doublers. The
>clarinet's fingering system is more complex than the other woodwinds.
(Someone
>mentioned that you had to learn more fingerings on the sax--what?? since
when?
>If you believe that, then you need to go learn some more clarinet
fingerings.
>I recommend Tom Ridenour's book, for starters.) Once you can handle the
clar
>fingerings, the other woodwinds, particularly sax and flute, are a piece of
>cake.
>If you are talking about the fingerings in the ;middle of the saxophones
range you are correct, they are a piece of cake, however the extreme low
register pinky fingerings are not.

>Not only does the clar have a more complex fingering system,

The altissimo register of the saxophone(as anyone who has seriously studied
the instrument knows) has as many fingering choices, if not more than the
clarinet. I am referring to the octave or so above high F. Also, in order
to play the saxophone in tune, many alternate fingerings are used, I use as
many as I use on the clarinet. There are also trill fingerings. I could go
on and on, but I have to leave now for a rehearsal.
>management of the airstream is more complex as well. It takes several
years
>to get the fast, focused airstream of the clar in shape enough to actually
>sound like a clarinet should! The sax, on the other hand, uses basically
the
>same embouchure, and a relaxed airstream. THAT'S the primary obstacle most
cl
>players have when learning sax--slowing down the air by dropping the cl's
high
>back of tongue position. The relaxation of the embouchure is easy by
>comparison.
>
>A couple of generations ago, it was common practice to have prospective sax
>students in school bands play clarinet for 2 or 3 years before they were
>allowed to touch the sax. Why do you suppose that was? Do you think maybe
>they knew that clarinet players were the best doublers, that the training
you
>get on a band clarinet part is much more strenuous than on a band sax part,
>and makes you a better musician? And how come almost every sax player I
talk
>to envys me my doubling ability? Is it because I have a rare
>talent?(Maybe--who wouldn't want to think so?<g>) No, they know why it
>is--because I started on clarinet, and not just started, but was well-
>established as a clarinet player before I added sax.
>This is completely false! Many people attempt clarinet after sax and if
they are talented, they are usually successful.
>A perfect example of this very thing happened today while I was at my local
>woodwind shop, showing off my brand new Eb clarinet. A very famous
>saxophonist was at the store at the same time(played on Hall & Oates
albums),
>and I handed the horn to him. He didn't even want to touch it! He
admitted
>how difficult he found clarinet, amongst all his instruments, and when I
>finally got him to play a couple of notes, he sounded like a beginnner
(that
>slow air speed was the culprit, btw!). Now, it's very true that the eefer
>needs even faster air, and you wouldn't expect just anyone to be able to
sound
>good on it, but I can pick up a sopranino and sound like a pro. Ok, you
say,
>it's small like a clarinet. Fine--I can play bari like a son-of-a-gun,
too!!
>
>As for a clarinetist not being able to play the sax after only 6 months, I
>was able to do it in 6 MINUTES! I was already an advanced clarinetist at
the
>time, but it also helped that the person who showed me explained the air
speed
>difference, as well as the embouchure/amount of mpc change.
>
>As for bass clarinet being easier or harder than soprano clarinet, I will
say
>that if you have small, female hands, it's definitely tough to handle some
of
>those crazy licks you're asked to play (I really do think the horn was
>designed for adult males). But it's worth it, because the bass is a
fabulous
>instrument, and, as others have mentioned, when people hear what it's
really
>supposed to sound like, they certainly have more appreciation for that
>gorgeous, woody, dark sound with all that power!
>
>Basta for me today!
>Elise Curran
>Give me a break. Six minutes!!
Marty
Marks>----------------------------------------------------------------------
---
>Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
>Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
>Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
>Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org
>

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org