Klarinet Archive - Posting 000152.txt from 2011/05

From: Martin Marks <martymarks511@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Question for the sax doublers out there
Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 22:56:58 -0400

You have to adjust the sax neck so that the alto is balanced. It should
just hang from the neckstrap in the correct playing position. The right
thumb should not support the weight of the horn at all. When I play any
sax, even baritone, my thumb has no weight on it. You may not have the
strap pulled up enough and that's why the weight is on your thumb The
thumb should only stabilize the sax. The wrist is not involved at all.
Balance the horn by positioning the neck. That hook your thumb goes into
is not to hold the weight. Make believe you have no thumb and pull up the
strap.

On Wed, May 25, 2011 at 10:41 AM, Rachel Roessel <gsurosey@-----.com> wrote:

> I'm looking for ways to improve comfort during my alto sax playing. The sax
> is
> too much weight for my thumb and wrist to handle (even with a neckstrap).
> In
> order to alleviate that, I play with it propped on my chair between my
> knees.
> Since I'm short, this doesn't totally work. I have to point my head up a
> little
> (thus stretching my neck up). With that, my shoulders also creep upward.
> So, I
> know what I'm doing isn't physically efficient. But, it's more comfortable
> than
> trying to support the weight and feeling it in my thumb for the rest of the
> night. At least when I play bass clarinet, I have a peg supporting the
> weight;
> no such luck here.
>
> After tonight's orchestra concert, I probably won't need it for awhile (I'm
> playing the lead sax part on the Artie Shaw Clarinet Concerto and Clarinet
> II in
> the pieces surrounding that piece; how I ended up playing 1st Alto is
> beyond
> me).
>
> Any suggestions to make playing sax more comfortable for me? I'm wondering
> if a
> harness would be helpful?
>
>
> Rachel
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