Klarinet Archive - Posting 000311.txt from 2002/02

From: Mark Thiel <mark.thiel@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Bass clarinet problems
Date: Mon, 18 Feb 2002 16:20:11 -0500

George Kidder wrote:
. . .
>Bruce - since fixing the problem above, this has become possible. I find,
>however, that I cannot exert any significant inward pressure with the RH
>thumb, as the hook does not have enough curve to allow that. One option
>for the future might be to fabricate a hook that covers more of a circle
>than this one (which is about a half-circle).
. . .
On my BC I achieved more hook by building up the thumbrest with cork.
It's probably about 1/4 inch thick on the distal end, tapering down to nothing
at the clarinet body so it fits fairly snugly around the back of my
thumb. You also need a good non-skid end on the peg. This works
well most of the time, but I was reading a bassoon sonata (I forget
whose) the other day that had a slur from the lowest concert Bb
(which requires my thumb elsewhere) up 3 octaves to the thumb-only
note!

Mark Thiel (who hates neckties and neckstraps and is looking for
a sky-hook for his sax)

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