Klarinet Archive - Posting 000635.txt from 2000/12

From: LeliaLoban@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Stand or Sit?
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2000 19:32:50 -0500

Stephanie Davis wrote,
>But when it comes to playing the clarinet, if one
>uses good posture while standing OR sitting, I don't see
>that playing while standing has all that much of an
>advantage over playing while seated. As far as I'm
>concerned, it's one of those "Call 'em as you
>see 'em" things."
[snip]
>My point is that "breathing" is a very individual thing.
>Go with what's best for you, not with what goes well for
>someone else.

I agree with that. It's also possible for us to *change* what works best.
If bad posture while seated means inadequate breath control, then surely the
most useful solution is to work on improving the posture, not to refuse to
play while seated. Assuming there's no medical reason for a preference,
clarinetists are called on to do so many different types of playing that
IMHO, it's valuable to develop flexibility about playing under all kinds of
conditions. It makes sense to me to keep as many options open as possible.

This probably sounds absurd coming from *moi*, since I play in the attic for
the cat, who thinks I'm making hideous noise no matter whether I play
standing or seated, and would no doubt think the same if I played while
hanging upside down like a bat, but -- I don't want to get stuck feeling
comfortable in only one position, so I alternate days. One day, I practice
while standing, and the next day, I practice while seated. As a result, I
truly don't have a preference on clarinet. On bass sax, I play much better
while standing, because that instrument is so huge that I can't find a seated
position that lets me reach the mouthpiece and all the keys at the same time
without craning my neck uncomfortably, but I've trained myself to *be able*
to play bass sax while seated (on an adjustable drummer's throne), even
though I'd rather not.

Another advantage to learning to play either seated or standing is that the
stress on the hands and arms shifts subtly but definitely when changing
positions. Switching frequently between sitting and standing may help a
clarinet player avoid repetive stress injuries.

Lelia
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If it says "one size fits all," then it doesn't fit anyone.

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