The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Lisa
Date: 2003-12-11 03:28
I've been recently introduced to the cello chairs in the new performing arts center my community band occasionally plays in. I'm short, LOL, and the chairs in the whole building (stage and rehearsal rooms) are higher than normal. During rehearsal some of us put our feet up on our cases since our heels don't touch the floor!
So the stagehand comes up with "cello chairs" for those of us who are vertically challenged. They're the same height but have a shorter seat, so that my heels actually do touch the floor!
I'm not an orchestral player, only band. Perhaps that's why I've never heard of them. I've never needed to prop my feet up anywhere else but there in that building. It's hard to believe that those chairs are so much higher than what I consider standard height.
Are cello chairs common in most large orchestral venues? Are they a new thing???
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-12-11 04:21
Cello chairs are a must in any orchestra with cellos - you just are NOT comfortable playing on a standard chair - besides, cellists, like first violinists will always find something to grip about - simultaneously looking down their noses at you.
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Author: ksclarinetgirl
Date: 2003-12-11 05:14
My old high school purchased them in probably 1999 or 2000. I'm not sure how long they were around before that. The thing that I really hate about them is that they make you lean forward even more. I have back problems and it just about kills me to sit in them for more than five minutes
Stephanie :o)
"Vita Brevis, Ars Longa"
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Author: William
Date: 2003-12-11 14:57
Cello chairs are common in most orchestras, but are not restricted to the cello players. My co-player clarinetist--who is vertically challenged (a real "shorty")--uses one all the time so that her feet will comfortly reach the floor. Ours have little red dots on their legs, and they are the first thing she checks for before setting anything up. I always use a regular chair, so I have to pull my barrel joint out a bit farther to avoid playing higher.......ok, I'm outtahere.
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2003-12-11 15:02
I'm thinking they might be ideal for the bass-clarinet section by improving the neck/slant problems. No? One could sit properly, but have more "space" under the front in which to tuck the bell.
Bob A
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2003-12-11 16:24
I (a bass clarinetist) have never tried a cello chair, so I can't comment too intelligently, but if it's shorter than normal chairs, no thanks. My legs are long and I prefer to have the tallest chair possible. Contrabass players would probably agree (at least those with non-paperclip models).
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-12-11 16:35
Cellist need a chair that offers proper back support...many cellists have chronic back problems due to the inherently bad posture required of cello perfromance....
David Dow
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Author: Lisa
Date: 2003-12-11 17:16
Just a clarification: All of the chairs in the building are higher than I'm used to, from the floor up to the seat. Cello chairs have a seat that is shorter front to back (depth), but the same width as the others. Thus your legs are able to angle down toward the floor, allowing my heels to then touch the floor.
Post Edited (2003-12-11 23:20)
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2003-12-11 23:03
I usually just swing my feet in band because the chairs are a little tall, and I'm not that short.
Which chairs are the cello chairs, Lisa? The Black ones or the Gray ones? The black ones are used in the bandroom and in the concert hall.
--Contragirl
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Author: Lisa
Date: 2003-12-11 23:41
OMG, you go to Maryland! (It's a small world after all.)
I haven't been in the bandroom this semester, and only on the stage twice, but both times got cello chairs. We rehearse in the orchestra room downstairs during the fall. Hmm, orchestra room, right? (Lisa finally adds 2+2 to get 4.) There's gotta be some cello chairs on those racks!!!!! I don't know how they're marked. They would make 3 of us woodwinds very, very happy!
Nice to meet ya, contragirl!
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