 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-12-15 12:35
Based on ideas the bass clarinetist Dennis Smylie told me, I made a long peg so I can play standing. Here it is:
Picture
If anyone is interested in any advice on how to make one let me know (although it's pretty much just logic).
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Author: bass9396
Date: 2005-12-15 21:30
Why not stand? Or do you have Carpel tunnel or something that makes you uncomfortable? My thumb kinda got over it over time but I still have my long peg in my case.
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Author: BassClarinetGirl
Date: 2005-12-15 23:53
I have a related question-
Is it appropriate to rest a regular length peg on a chair or low stool to play standing up, if one does not have a long peg? I asked my director if I could do so for contest, because I need alot of air support with my bass to get upper clarion/altissimo notes, and standing helps this greatly, but she said I couldn't because it wasn't proper. There wouldn't really be any danger to dropping the bass if I also wore a neck strap loosely. I can't wear a neckstrap only however, because my neck can't comforatble handle the weight of the bass.
Would this be a major problem in the eyes of a judge?
BCG
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Author: Max S-D
Date: 2005-12-16 07:16
I just use a neckstrap all the time when I play bass, whether sitting or standing. It lets me get the mouthpiece into my mouth at an angle I like (as clarinet-like as possible). As far as the chair goes, when I saw David Krakauer last weekend, when he switched from soprano to bass, he put the peg on a piano bench in front of him so that he could stand and play. I don't know if David Krakauer is a good example to follow for a contest.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-12-16 07:30
Bass9396, what do you mean by 'why not stand?' Now that I have the long peg I do stand.
BassClarinetGirl, the reason I don't do that is because I switch a lot from bass to Bb. But, in your case it depends a lot on the character of the judges. I'm guessing your contest is classical music and the judges are classical musicians? From my experience classical judges usually care about appearence a lot, but they can be unexpected sometimes. But, if everyone would go the mainstream way nothing new would ever happen.
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Author: bass9396
Date: 2005-12-16 12:02
I was asleep when I wrote the last post. I mean...why not just go without the peg? It's less restrictive on your movement. But, if you have hand "issues" then I can understand needing the peg.
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Author: lowclarinetman
Date: 2005-12-16 13:01
I have done the gamit of options for this problem.
At first, I sat down. But I don't really like the appearance of that for a solo
Then, I had my long peg made. It worked well until i changed bass clarinets and the peg would no longer fit. At which time I decided to go more like my teacher and play with a strap.
I think the straps are a much better option for the reasons mentioned above. They give you a bit more flexibility with movement.
The long peg can seem very stagnant anchoring you to one place. I am NOT advocating running around the stage dancing or excessive movements, however some movement at critical musical moments in works is expected and nice.
If the traditional style neck strap isn't workign for you, why not look into a shoulder hanress(like some tenor and bariton sax players use)
Or the DEG harness my teacher uses which attaches to a belt. Both options take the principal weight of the instrument off you nexc and place it more on the shoulders to various degrees avoiding unwanted neck pains.
When I first used the long peg I was a student of Dennis Smylie. Afterwards, Henri Bok. Now I play and teach for my living.
The long peg is not well suited for switching between clarinet and bass clarinet. It is hard to get your bass clarinet stand to accept it. Another reason the neck strap is a good idea.
When playing in orchestra or band I always use my peg. But often position the instrument where is goes a little under the chair so that the bell is facing forward, not up, and the angle of the instruemnt is more natural.
Hope this was some help
bob
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-12-16 13:35
I also "have done the gamit of options for this problem" as Bob wrote above. I've tried all sorts of neck straps and harnesses, and the long peg works much better for me for several reasons. Everyone should do what works best for them.
I simply started the thread to show the long peg I made if anyone was interested or considering making one.
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Author: Francesca
Date: 2005-12-17 05:08
I know I prefer to use a long peg for comfort. I have an extended range Selmer. It's far too heavy for me comfortably play with a neckstrap on.
As to using a regular peg that rests on a chair...I have no problem with it. I went to state solo all 4 years of high school. Every year we had at least one bass clarinetist do that. It never seemed like an issue.
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Author: Shorthand
Date: 2005-12-17 05:42
The Eb instruments' center of gravity is right around where the right hand normally is, so the blance with a double-hooked neckstrap is just fine. I marched bass clarinet in high school - no big deal (Though the plastic horns are lighter.)
The low C instruments have a center of gravity that makes them hard to hold. They really need a neckstrap attachment much lower, right around where the thumb is, but you see the issue there. In addition, the right hand will always be supporting much more weight than it would on an Eb instrument.
In other words, I can definitely understand not wanting to use a necstrap alone on a low C (extended) bass clarinet; its really the only way to get good support without having to fight the unbalanced center of gravity. Actually, adding a counterweight up near the neck might help in this case. (Actually it would probably be best attached under the mouthpiece cup on the neck.)
The other thing that might work is figuring out some way to attach a line to the bell AFTER it curves back up - that should blance nicely - especially near the rim of the bell.
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Author: bass9396
Date: 2005-12-17 13:45
I've gotten to the point where I like the extra freedom of motion so much that I don't even rest my extended horn on the floor anymore when I play in band. I guess it's part of my evolution.
I wouldn't find it inappropriate to rest the Bass on a chair or a piano bench but the appearance may not be viewed as entirely professional by some folks.
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Author: Low_Reed
Date: 2005-12-18 17:10
Clarnibass,
Please e-mail me more information about your long BC peg. Are you using it on a low-C bass clarinet? Can you use the same peg sitting down, as well as standing up, or would it run into the thumb rest or some other mechanism at its top end?
I have always played sitting down, until recently. Standing up, with my floor peg resting on a chair or stool, gives me more breath support, as well as feelings of more freedom and closer interaction with the audience. (I play mostly solo.) I am also considering moving from a low-Eb to a low-C bass clarinet, and don't want the required added functionality of my right thumb compromised by a need to bear any of the horn's weight.
I would appreciate your sending me detailed information on how you made this peg.
Thanks much,
Bruce
**Music is the river of the world!**
-- inspired by Tom Waits and a world full of music makers
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Author: GabrieleItay
Date: 2006-01-02 09:45
Hi, I m Gabriele from Italy! This forum it's very interesting.
I have an old Leblanc bass clarinet and I need to add a peg. Clarnibass can u give some informations about yours?
Thanks!!
gabrielescarabattoli@virgilio.it
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Author: Shorthand
Date: 2006-01-03 00:14
Standard length LeBlanc Bass Clarinet Pegs are usually available from your local music repair shop if they carry LeBlanc or Vito (or often Yamaha) Bass Clarinets (often even if they don't). They're lost constantly and are often replaced. I have 2 as I found one sitting around at some point.
The same peg is used on Vito, all LeBlancs, and at least most of the Yamaha 221's out there as it and the Vito were identical for about a decade.
The peg diameter is 7.05 mm on my caliper. Any chromed rod (or just plain stainless steel) with that radius should work fine, but you need a very hard finish. For a tip, Get a Wolf Rockstop (ball type that actually clamps to the peg) - its a cello product but Buffet (and I think some others) ships their new bass clarinets with them.
The only part that's actually unique to the mechanism is the pinch screw, which is a brass screw that has been notched and chromed. They actually wear out over time.
Selmers actually use a slightly thicker rod, but I don't have one handy that I can measure.
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Author: clarikid
Date: 2014-07-13 02:40
Hi there,
I am 10 years old and I love playing the clarinet! I started on the bass last year and borrowed my school's instrument. We just bought my own bass today and the floor peg is different and not long enough for me to stand up, I have to lean it on my case How do I get a longer one? We have no idea how to make one or how to get one made? Any suggestions would be very helpful!
Thank you,
Clarikid
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Author: Ed
Date: 2014-07-13 07:27
http://www.clarinet-repairs.com/supplies.html
makes them in custom lengths
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Author: BobD
Date: 2014-07-13 16:51
Couldn't open the "Picture", Nitai. I only recently started playing instruments that usually require neckstraps and find that they bother my neck. I have used aluminum rod for a peg but find it a bit too flexible. I don't know why a peg would require a hard surface finish. The whole concept of standing up to solo is controversial and mainly just a convention that should be challenged when appropriate. I simply use a footstool with foam on top but don't play publicly.(applause)
Bob Draznik
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Author: BflatNH
Date: 2014-07-14 17:38
Several 7 mm steel rod options are sold by McMaster-Carr (a handy place for mechanical parts).
Check out:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-steel-rods/=su034i
Pick your hardness. I think I bought the drill rod 88625K66.
Some hardware stores offer a selection of rubber tips, or partially drill thru a rubber stopper.
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