 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2010-01-10 19:06
Hey, I found a bit in the archives on this, but not all that much. I'm looking at options to play my bass clarinet while standing, while retaining mobility and not killing myself ergonomically. The skinny little thing that came with my Selmer 67 is OK for a few minutes here and there, but I'm looking for something that would be comfortable for a 2-hour show, or, rather, an 8-night run of 2-hour shows.
Any recommendations are appreciated. I saw the Gemini (http://www.saxharness.com/) as a board sponsor... has anyone tried it with bass clarinet?
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: USFBassClarinet
Date: 2010-01-10 20:54
I have always been curious about this:
http://www.sfoxclarinets.com/Accessories.html#bass%20clar%20acc
It seems to be a chest peg with a cushion. I believe Henri Bok uses something similar when playing standing?
I haven't yet gotten one since it is not a need and I am a poor college student.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2010-01-10 21:53
Alex, Neotech makes a 'harness' for bari sax that's quite comfortable, should work well with bass clarinet too.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2010-01-11 03:55
>> It seems to be a chest peg with a cushion. <<
I have one, probably the first one he made (I asked him to make it). I used mine a bit but decided it wasn't comfortable for me after all. I have a Buffet and one problem was the screw that is holding the thumbrest is above where the peg connects. The long lever causes the thumbrest to bend slightly away from the body in this area. I think this would happen with the original thumbrest with soldered peg mount, though I use an extra one he made with the mount which looks a tiny bit thinner than the original.
Alex, I first made a longer peg to play standing but maybe that is too restricing for you? That is the reason I stopped using mine. I decided a neck strap is just impossible and I've tried many harnesses. My favorite is the Neotech harness. One that I didn't like at all was BG (in spite of their excellent neck straps). I don't remember the names of the others I've tried.
Post Edited (2010-01-11 03:57)
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2010-01-11 07:11
I'll check out the Neotech. Yes, a longer peg is too restrictive. While I can probably get by standing in one place at most performances, I also want to be able to walk around while playing, and at the very least to turn from side to side. Not marching band, mind you, but some guerilla performances and on-stage theatre playing, and some shows that might get a bit rowdy. I want to be as mobile as I would be with a soprano clarinet.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: DrGrip
Date: 2010-01-11 11:25
You should email my mate Philip Everall. He has studied under Sparnaay and Lowenstern, and has designed his own methods of playing bass standing, including the most comfortable and easy to use harness I've ever used. I believe Mike Lowenstern also sells it on his site as the 'Everall harness' or something.
If you have facebook send off a message to 'Philip Cameron Everall' and ask about it, otherwise send me an email and I'll give you his.
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2010-01-11 15:32
Looks like the Everall is indeed available on Lowenstern's site. Attaches to the belt... cool! Think I'll pick one up, plus a neotech in case I find myself in a situation where a belt isn't an option.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2010-01-11 15:45
I forgot about the Everall harness. I considered buying one and spoke with Mike Lowenstern. There are two reasons I didn't buy it. One is I never put the bottom of my shirt inside my pants so I thought it's not so comfortable this way. I also asked him if it gives you a wedgie... and he said a little bit.
By the way you might want to try different ways to play with the harness and see what is most comfortable for you. For example I play with the bass clarinet to the side and I never did this until I started using the harness.
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2010-01-11 23:20
As far as neck straps go, the most comfortable one I've found is the Cebulla strap. Got it from Musicmedic.com.
Roger
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