Klarinet Archive - Posting 000343.txt from 2002/02

From: Mike Dowler <syo@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Bass clarinet problems
Date: Tue, 19 Feb 2002 12:27:04 -0500

IMHO, every bass clarinet should come with a curved-up neck. There is
no reason for having a straight neck, other than playing more like a
saxophone. How many saxophone students do you think switch to bass
clarinet? And how many clarinet students either begin on bass
clarinet, switch to bass clarinet, or continue to play both?

The only working solution for me was to tilt the bass clarinet under
the chair. (Until I found an instrument with a curved-up neck, that
is) This might be made easier by placing a small piece of wood
between the two front chair legs giving the peg some more resistance
to sliding completely under the chair. Any short throat G's shouldn't
be a problem, and for longer notes, I would just hang on.

BTW, ordering a new neck won't require you to purchase a new
mouthpiece. Unlike accessories in the computer market, all bass
clarinet mouthpieces are always plug and play!

Mike

>The regular neck that came with the instrument. I cannot afford to
>spend significantly more on the neck (and required mouthpiece) than
>I spent on the horn itself!
>
>Unless there is another source of curved-up necks, I shall have to
>continue to "go bottomless in the band room."
>
>

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