Klarinet Archive - Posting 000717.txt from 2001/06

From: "Dee D. Hays" <deehays@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] A Thought on the Right Hand
Date: Fri, 22 Jun 2001 21:13:14 -0400

----- Original Message -----
From: "Will Cicola" <clarinetguy@-----.net>
Subject: [kl] A Thought on the Right Hand

> I remember hearing once that the clarinet is unusual in that mouth acts as
> both the sound producer and as a supporter of the weight of the instrument
> (at least in part). With the standard student clarinets, the strain on the
> right hand is great, and I wondered if this might lead to beginners biting
> harder on the mouthpiece in order to alleviate some of the weight on the
> right hand. I then found myself wondering...if students were to be started
> off on some sort of device that relieved the strain on the right hand
> (neckstrap, Kooiman rest, etc.), would the result be less inclination to
> bite? I suppose the answer to this question would lie in knowing exactly
how
> much (if indeed at all) the cause of biting lies in an unconscious effort
to
> relieve right hand pressure (as opposed to other factors, such as ease of
> sound production). It would be interesting to hear people's opinions on
> this!
> --
> Ich brauche kein Leben, denn ich habe Orchester!
> I don't need a life. I have orchestra!
> Will Cicola

At least one author of student materials (Robert Lowrey) thinks so. I
agree with his opinion. The clarinet is actually rather heavy to be
supported by a structure like the thumb.

Dee Hays
Michigan

---------------------------------------------------------------------
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