 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: John Morton
Date: 2014-11-10 08:59
I have read most of the posts concerning bass clarinet straps, but I could still use hints from players who use one.
It seems important that the instrument hang in equilibrium (or at least as near as possible) so that the hands don't have to exert a force to put it into position for specific fingerings. Unlike the soprano (a simple shape that can be supported by mouth and thumb) the bass has a curved shape that wants to rotate about the points of support. I get hung up in certain sequences which give me no trouble on the soprano.
My strap attaches with a single clip above the thumbrest on the lower joint, which hangs the clarinet farther off the vertical than when I play with a peg. A second attachment point could help keep the clarinet in a fixed orientation, but would still leave the center of gravity on the outside, letting it tilt outwards.
Does one just get used this situation? Do some players fashion some kind of prop to the lower body?
thanks
John
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2014-11-10 11:21
Instead of using a strap while standing, I made a longer peg. Never was comfortable with a strap.
I do, however, use a strap even while pegged, but that is just to secure the instrument when I have a longer rest, to keep my hands free to turn a page or clean my nose or drink some water.
--
Ben
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-11-10 18:13
In standard situations you use a strap WITH a peg to attain the 'open' notes without the bass slipping out of your mouth.
However......
I hope someone immediately corrects this if it is wrong, but it is my understanding that "marching band" bass clarinetists keep the clarinet forward in the same attitude as with a peg. They push the instrument forward with their right thumb.
The problem with "tenor saxing" your bass is that there are no guards around the lower pads to prevent you from unintentionally jamming them closed against your leg.
I had a small ensemble where I was forced to play standing for a whole gig (hated every second of it!) and wound up additionally propping it against my slightly extended right knee (low c bass).
Did I mention I hated every second of that gig (which was about three hours long)?
................Paul Aviles
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Author: John Morton
Date: 2014-11-10 20:53
I have played happily for many years with a peg (no strap). When I started to get jazz gigs I made myself a long peg so I could stand. Standing is what you do when performing small group jazz (big band is different, you stand only for solos). It's bad enough that the bass clarinet is the stranger in jazz, without also being the only player who is seated.
In a combo, the seated player has a harder time sending and receiving the eyeball and gesture cues common to jazz. Standing with a tall peg is better, but motion is limited, and it's hard to stay on the mic when turning towards your neighbor to catch his eye. I also found the tall peg to be risky when parking the horn on a stand - top-heavy, easily overturned by a bump.
I'm trying to be patient, remembering how much I had to relearn upon starting with the bc. An immediate bonus was in finding I could incline my head to read to the bottom of the page.
The marchers' technique that Paul describes is something I plan to pursue. I had assumed they could put up with it because the music is simple. But then I went to YouTube to review the elaborate solos of Eric Dolphy. He has a single strap, the horn is centered on his body, and he holds the horn away with the crotch of his right thumb. I don't know if I can play cleanly that way, but that's on my practice agenda for the next few days.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2014-11-10 20:53
It's best to try what you can and find what wors best for you.
Some bass clarinets have two hook rings, one above the thumb rest and one on the upper joint. I imagine you can add one if your doesn't have it.
Some options are...
- strap
- double hook strap connecting to two rings
- shoulder harness
- "wedgie" harness (connects to the back of your pants)
- extra long peg
- stomach stick (connects to thumb rest area and leans against your ab)
I guess there are others. I've tried all those I mentioned. I use mostly a shoulder harness and a long peg.
When I use a harness I hold the instrument to the side like a tenor sax and just got used to that so no problem of accidentally pressing keys, etc.
One thing about a long peg vs. sitting with a peg, is that when sitting with a peg, you can very accurately make tiny movements in your back to vary your height. When standing it is mostly impossible to do this in the same way and movement feels more restricted. It's not necessarily a problem.
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Author: ErezK
Date: 2014-11-10 22:54
Stephen Fox offers an interesting strap on his website, worth checking out.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2014-11-11 10:42
If you're talking about his "belly stick", then I saw someone uses something like that, so asked Steve if he could make me one. He did and since then he offers it on his website. I don't use it anymore (still have it) but others might like it. Price and quality from him are very good.
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Author: John Morton
Date: 2014-11-11 20:15
clarnibass, I'm interested to learn that you have adapted to the side position. I'm not a saxophonist, but saxophones seem to naturally hang from the strap in playing position. That seems ideal, freeing the player from holding the horn in position while also fingering the notes. I'll go back to giving that a serious try.
The belly stick idea had occurred to me. I might still make one to test, but I'd much prefer not to add apparatus to my setup.
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