 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: MattBowmanSmith
Date: 2005-09-18 00:11
I am a sophomore in high school and my band director has told me repeatedly not to place the bell of my clarinet on my leg while I play. My private teacher, who has been a professional musician for over 50 years, says that it is okay to play this way. He believes it takes a lot of the stress off of my right-hand thumb. I prefer to play with the bell of the clarinet on my leg because I am more comfortable this way. What is your opinion and why?
Thanks
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-09-18 00:35
Just make sure it doesn't affect your long B and E.
If you like the relief of the pressure from your right thumb, look into a neckstrap. If Mark Nuccio can wear one (Asst. Principle clar. of the NY Philharmonic), then I see no reason why you shouldn't give it a shot.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: ClariBone
Date: 2005-09-18 03:17
I third the neckstrap. Mine is awesome, and it helps me to play more relaxed than I otherwise would if I didn't have one. Check it out!!
Clayton
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Author: Markael
Date: 2005-09-18 10:50
Are they still making BGs?
I bought one to replace the Claricord I was using, and it is better. Someone on the board said that BGs weren't being made any more, and so I ordered mine immediately.
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Author: crnichols
Date: 2005-09-19 00:52
Gigiliotti played with the Bell on his knee, Harold Wright with it between his knees. There is nothing wrong with this.
Christopher Nichols
1st Infantry Division Band
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Author: pewd
Date: 2005-09-19 02:28
band director vs private teacher - who to believe.
i run into conflicts like that all the time. i wish band directors wouldn't speak in absolutes. like 'everyone must play the same mouthpiece' , or 'everyone must play the same reed', or the issue you have.
try a strap.
check the pitch on the long notes with a tuner.
hows your tone?
then listen to your private teacher.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2005-09-19 04:24
The Claricord is awful. It's one long piece of elastic, which leads to a lot of mouth pressure and inconsistent resistance. That and it is adjusted by a big piece of velcro, which limits your options for minor changes during a concert.
I prefer the non-elastic BG (they also make an elastic model, which is still better than the Claricord)
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: pzaur
Date: 2005-09-19 04:36
MattBowmanSmith -
Have your private teacher contact your band director if a suitable solution cannot be found for yourself without his (private teacher's) help. Your health should take priority.
Have you asked your band director why he/she doesn't want you to play with the bell on your leg? It may just be old teaching that has been driven into your director's head that all clarinets must play with the bell free of contact. Or, he may assume that it is affecting intonation, even if it isn't.
If your long B/E aren't affected, where your clarinet bell rests shouldn't be a major issue, as long as it's in a reasonable place.
I second the neckstrap suggestions. I always recommend them to my students, especially when they complain of the thumbrest hurting their thumbs.
-pat
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Author: JessKateDD
Date: 2005-09-19 05:54
Resting the clarinet on one knee or between the knees is fairly common. In addition to Gigliotti and Wright, Robert Marcellus also played with the bell on his knees. Most double lip players play this way as well. I prefer to rest the bell on my knees for several reasons:
1) As your teacher noted - to take stress off of the right thumb;
2) Extra support allows your teeth to relax some, reducing biting;
3) Since clarinet is more stationary, technique of both hands is enhanced;
4) Kness at the end of clarinet effectively lengthens the instrument, resulting in more low harmonics ("darker" sound)
Professional musicians tend to be very open-minded about different ways of playing. Passages must be performed correctly. Sometimes this leads to unorthodox solutions. You learn to do what works.
Teachers like band directors tend to be more inclined towards fundamental absolutes. There is one right way of playing in their eyes, therefore everything different must be wrong. I suspect your band director has this mindset. But if all he does is nag you about the knee thing, you can always just keep doing it, and eventually he may give up. However, if he chooses to be more confrontational and threatens your grade or your chair, you may find yourself forced to do it his way, regardless of what you prefer.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-09-19 11:34
Your band director is misinformed. As someone else has suggested ask your private teacher to contact the director. Be advised that you will not win any points telling your band director he is all wet.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Markael
Date: 2005-09-19 16:21
It is not always easy for private teachers to have an "in" with band directors. I almost think it would be better for the student to say to the band director, respectfully, "I have done some research on this subject and..."
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-09-19 16:25
"It is not always easy for private teachers to have an "in" with band directors."
Seems strange. I would think that a good relationship would be mutually beneficial. ....plus being beneficial to the students.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Markael
Date: 2005-09-19 17:21
Certainly, Bob. But what is the basis, or beginning point, for establishing a relationship?
High School band directors tend to have a busy and demanding schedule, with students and school administration and parents and marching band, etc. etc.
The schedules of private teachers tend to make it impractical to go to band concerts or otherwise find ways of establishing relationships.
So, you have a scenario where a private teacher contacts a band director, cold, out of nowhere, basically to say that the director is giving a student bad advice. "Hello. Nice to meet you. You're full of crap."
Sometimes it is possible to communicate indirectly, through parents. I did this once concerning a middle school clarinet player who had developed some bad habits. He developed them on his own; they were not caused or encouraged by a teacher. I felt as if the band teacher and I were on the same team, but we never talked directly.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-09-19 17:33
Sounds like I'm in the minority of people that play the clarinet held at a similar angle to a soprano sax and oboe - that's holding the instrument away from the body at around a 45 degree angle, even when seated.
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Author: archer1960
Date: 2005-09-19 17:44
Chris P wrote:
> Sounds like I'm in the minority of people that play the
> clarinet held at a similar angle to a soprano sax and oboe -
> that's holding the instrument away from the body at around a 45
> degree angle, even when seated.
I don't hold it that far away from my body; the bell is somewhere behind my knees, but I never rest it on or clamp it between my legs.
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Author: obicore. . .embouchure
Date: 2005-09-19 18:37
Listen, you have a good opportunity to learn how to hold the clarinet if you don't have a knee handy (like when you're standing). It will also strengthen your thumb and make you a little tougher
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Author: MattBowmanSmith
Date: 2005-09-19 20:40
Thanks for all of your suggestions. I believe I will definitely take this matter up with my band director. All of the methods you have listed above sound very good to me. I will try to report back later concerning what method worked best for me.
Thanks again for all of your help.
Matt
Post Edited (2005-09-20 00:34)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-09-19 21:03
Quote:
Sounds like I'm in the minority of people that play the clarinet held at a similar angle to a soprano sax and oboe - that's holding the instrument away from the body at around a 45 degree angle, even when seated. Me also, Chris P. I haven't had any complaints so far about having a bad sound. And the complaints about my bad technique really have nothing to do with the angle of the clarinet, so I see no reason to change it.
IMO, whatever works for you.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2005-09-19 21:06
You may wish to bring it up, but not defiantly.... definitely, yes. Defiance only elicits a negative reaction.
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