 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: GEM
Date: 2005-01-07 01:11
Recently I inherited a VERY old copy of "H. Klose' Celebrated Method for the Clarinet Newly revised and enlarged by C.L. Staats" published by Carl Fischer (Cooper Square New York). It doesn't have a publishing date, but the introduction by C.L. Staats is dated 1898.
Besides its age, I found an interesting item at the beginning of the book - an argument in favor of positioning the mouthpiece with the reed on the bottom (like we all play now). This led me to wonder - 1. was it ever considered normal to play the clarinet with the mouthpiece (not just theligature) inverted from the way I've always played; and 2. Could I play it that way?
As to the second question, I tried it myself. You have to use a double lip embouchure, but it does, in fact, work just fine - although tounging is quite challenging.
As to the first, I ask the learned among us to reply.
GEM
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Author: Jimmy Zhong
Date: 2005-01-07 01:13
When I first started learning the clarinet, that was exactly how I played! I found out I was doing it wrong some weeks later. The interesting thing is that I found the regular position rather awkward for a few sessions after I switched.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-01-07 01:40
As far as I know it was common practice to play an inverted mouthpiece. More common in Italy than elsewhere (or else it lasted longer in Italy than elsewhere . . . one of the two).
I wonder if it was double lip or "top lip" embouchure.
Also, I distinctly remember some commercial where a clarinetist played his clarinet and I remember looking at it and thinking, "His mouthpiece is upside down . . ." He still sounded pretty good to me though.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Bill G
Date: 2005-01-07 04:10
In about 1947 I subbed for one day in a professional band and was second chair to an oldtimer who played with the reed on top tied on with a string. His tonguing was awsome. I didn't get to talk to him at length but he told me that he used the tip of his tongue to the tip of the reed and mouthpiece. Bill G
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-01-07 14:47
I'd keep the book and forget about trying to do it. The article in the book can be a constant reminder that when it comes to clarinets there is more than one way to do almost anything.
Bob Draznik
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Author: CPW
Date: 2005-01-07 15:51
The biggest problem with inverted mouthpiece is trying to put the bell where the barrel usually goes.
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Author: Topher
Date: 2005-01-07 19:38
Speaking of non-standard playing postures, we had "Lester Young" day in jazz band on Wednesday. (Actually it was "Our Band Director Isn't Here, So We'll Sight Read Random Stuff For Fun" day, but they ammount to the same thing.) I was exempt since I play the bari sax. Our first alto was playing the clarinet for one chart, and we got into an argument about how Lester would play the clarinet. Anybody have some insight? I'm thinking out the side of his mouth, but I don't know for sure.
topher
PS. For those of you who aren't jazz cats, Lester Young was lead tenor for Count Basie for a number of years. He was famous for his posture, which consisted of a crooked mouthpiece, meaning he played with his head sideways. Whenever he was doing a solo or any other time the music really had energy, he would straighten his head and hold the saxophone to the side like a flute. I would be willing to bet it gave him some killer arms, holding a tenor like that.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2005-01-07 20:32
Lester Young was a big guy. The pictures of him I've seen show the tenor sax laid almost horizontally across his lap, and not held up like a flute.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-01-07 23:07
Why does Kenny G play out the side of his mouth?
Bob Draznik
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2005-01-09 03:26
<<Why does Kenny G play out the side of his mouth?>>
I always thought it was so he could smile for the camera. ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif)
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