Klarinet Archive - Posting 000182.txt from 2000/08

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Is playing sax detrimental to clarinet playing?
Date: Tue, 8 Aug 2000 22:50:01 -0400

At 11:49 AM 8/8/2000 -0500, Daniel A. Paprocki wrote:
>Here's a topic that will fire up the list:
>
>Is sax playing detrimental to clarinet playing? What are people's views
>considering fingering, embouchure, vibrato, etc.
>
> Fingering wise I have found that the articulated G# is great on sax but
>can affect the C#/G# key coordination on clarinet. Also I tend to not us
>the sax bis Bb since there is no equivalent keywork on clarinet. Little
>finger placement can also be affected. Clarinetists use the tip of the
>little fingers for key activation and saxophonists hit the low keys with the
>little fingers flattened.
>
> Ready, set, light them flamethrowers!
>
OK, I'll bite. I have not found any embouchure problems in switching, but
then I probably play sax with a clarinet embouchure anyway! My vibrato
depends on what sounds right for the situation. I basically NEVER use it
when playing ENSEMBLE in classical/concert band style, except for solo
lines (particularly on sax), but use quite a bit when playing big band lead
on either sax or clarinet. My only problem with switching involves playing
SOPRANO sax. When holding an alto, tenor, or bari sax on the side I have
no difficulty, but holding IN FRONT like you do with a soprano, my body
keeps trying to tell my brain that the instrument I am holding is a
CLARINET and I try to FINGER it that way! Conversely, I sometimes try to
finger bass clarinet like a sax, again due to confusing FEEL cues. And
since I was a clarinetist FIRST, I also do not use the bis key except when
absolutely necessary, but on the other hand, I find the one-and-one Bb
fingering much more natural than many of my sax-playing colleagues.

The biggest detriment to my clarinet playing as a result of picking up
saxophone has been the requirement to split practice time. During the
summer, when I play more clarinet, my technique picks up, but falls off
again when the groups I play in during the winter have me playing mostly
alto sax instead. On the other hand, without the doubling ability, I'd
have missed a lot of pit band jobs! And then there is the additional pain
of finding reeds to work with that many MORE different mouthpieces!

Bill Hausmann NEW ADDRESS: bhausmann1@-----.com
451 Old Orchard Drive http://homepages.go.com/~zoot14/zoot14.html
Essexville, MI 48732 ICQ UIN 4862265

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is too loud.

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