Klarinet Archive - Posting 000385.txt from 2005/06

From: Joseph Wakeling <joseph.wakeling@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Basset clarinet supports
Date: Tue, 21 Jun 2005 10:25:31 -0400

Keith wrote:

> I love to play mine, in fact it is coming out for another K581 at the
> end of the week. But I have to play it differently: at a much lower,
> near-vertical angle (this may be less of a problem for some US
> players, who tend to hold the clarinet this way), with a neckstrap,
> and with Steve Fox's chest brace (which adds more to the weight). It
> is quite a bit harder work, and harder on the thumb. All of which one
> could get used to. It's a bit far off the ground to use a peg
> conveniently, but I am looking into the supports that go on chairs.

I don't know, I think quite a few players just sit down and use a spike,
so it's not out of the question. Thea King apparently did this even for
concerto work; Tony Pay does the same but without a spike, just resting
the bell of the clarinet between slightly crossed legs! Of course, he's
using a period reproduction; I don't know if that would work on a
heavier grenadilla instrument... When I visited Steve Fox I tried out
his chest support and didn't really like the feel of it but I guess
that's something one could get used to.

I heard that Michael Collins has a fantastic gizmo to support his that
sounded like something out of science-fiction (and probably looks it
too) but I can't remember the details... :-P

As for Stadler, my guess is that with the design of his instrument he
could rest it on a box or similar when standing, and probably just rest
it on the floor or a cushion if sitting down. I guess someone who has
seen Eric Hoeprich play might be able to tell us how he dealt with the
instrument (Steve Fox has played on such a reproduction too, of his own
making, so you could ask him:-)

Out of curiosity, don't many period instruments, basset or otherwise,
lack thumbrests? So how does one go about effectively supporting them?

-- Joe

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