 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2016-01-14 21:12
Attachment: Bass_Clarinet_101.pdf (165k)
Hi,
As I increase my facility on the bass clarinet, during fast passages (particularly in the clarion register) with large intervals jumps, it sometimes becomes difficult to hang on to the beast. I tend to use the floor peg but sometimes a neck strap; I'm seated, of course.
Recently, I've used both and even hooked up a strap and sat on it (per my bassoon seat strap days). I've seen a suggestions (see the attached) to use both. What do you do and why?
Thanks,
HRL
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Author: derf5585
Date: 2016-01-14 21:26
Or play it like a baritone saxophone to the side?
fsbsde@yahoo.com
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2016-01-14 21:49
I use both. The peg for support, the strap as a safety thing if I need both hands free.
--
Ben
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Author: kilo
Date: 2016-01-14 22:09
I much prefer using both while seated. Hard to hold the instrument to the mouth when playing around the break without a neck strap. And, as pointed out by Ben, it's easier to adjust your music or use two hands for anything else if you hanging on to the BC. As far as holding it to the side, I've tried it but it really throws off my posture and interferes with fingering.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2016-01-14 22:58
Hi All,
I just ordered a Protec sax harness that extends long enough to attach to the top ring on my BC. The price was right and it I don't like it, I can always use it with one of my saxes.
The safety idea, particularly when one has to use two hands, is a real plus that I had not actually considered. It has been a very long time since I played my saxes on the side. It really does not work for me even with a bari (unless I have several doubles in the pit).
The article I posted above talks about having three points of contact with the instrument. That makes a whole lot of sense.
Thanks,
HRL
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2016-01-14 23:51
Yes I use both for several of reasons already given but primarily to free hands during page/music turns and a little extra support around C (2 lines above treble staff).
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Author: bill28099
Date: 2016-01-15 00:38
I use both and all the teachers that I have had did also. I have never seen a low C bass played to side but I'm sure some where some body does so. I also put two clear .5mm Yamaha patches on the mouthpiece so hold the horn with my top teeth to some degree.
A great teacher gives you answers to questions
you don't even know you should ask.
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Author: DougR
Date: 2016-01-15 05:29
Guy I studied with who played a lot of recording sessions and jingle dates (back when there WERE such things) said you use the strap, AND the floor peg, AND you angle your right leg behind the peg, thus keeping the horn and peg from sliding backward somehow. You want the horn as secure and steady as possible, because the last thing you want, he said, is to miss some notes when the red light was on because you were startled by the bass sliding out of your grasp. It's a really secure way to anchor the horn and you don't have to think about it at all.
So that's what I do. And, fumble fingered though I am, I never worry about the bass feeling unsteady, because it doesn't.
Hope that helps.
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Author: KenJarczyk
Date: 2016-01-15 05:50
I use a K&N bass clarinet stand, peg in the rubber cup placed in good position by my right ankle. In a pit, you need to be able to park the bass into the K&N saddle, grab the next horn. I have no issues with the peg only.
Ken Jarczyk
Woodwinds Specialist
Eb, C, Bb, A & Bass Clarinets
Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones
Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo
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Author: Una
Date: 2016-01-15 05:51
I wouldn't even consider not using both while sitting. I even have the peg out while playing standing up.
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Author: JHowell
Date: 2016-01-15 06:34
You should do whatever works for you. I don't use a strap but know plenty of players who do. It's worth thinking about the breaking point being technical passages, though. You might watch in a mirror to see if you're building bad finger habits if you're pushing the horn around that much.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2016-01-15 13:53
I only play mine sitting and I use both the peg and a sling. The peg sets the height and takes the weight of the instrument while the strap holds in instrument securely at the right angle and gives me greater security. I've seen a base clarinet get loose and it wasn't pretty. Put a bit of a damper on "Peter and the Wolf" as well.
Tony F.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2016-01-15 15:58
Peg whenever sitting, strap whenever standing, peg and strap when sitting if the instrument is balanced in such a way that it tends to pull away from the body when being played -- the idea is to never require your embouchure or hands to grip the instrument itself; their jobs are controlling the reed/mouthpiece and operating the keys, only.
Instruments balance differently depending on all sorts of factors, so the answer is, it depends.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2016-01-15 16:16
JHowell,
Maybe I exaggerated my problem a tad but looking in the mirror is a really great idea. However, making the transition to bass clarinet does take a good bit of adjustment with hand position.
Yes, technical passages as the "breaking point" is an excellent litmus test.
HRL
PS I have long maintained there is a Zen to playing bass clarinet; I am still a grasshopper.
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Author: GeorgeL ★2017
Date: 2016-01-15 19:05
I have never used a neck strap with my low Eb bass clarinet; the floor peg works well. I can hold the instrument between my knees if I need both hands for something other than playing.
The first time I had to stand with a band to play the Star Spangled Banner, I supported it with my thumb; a painful experience. Since then, I just adjust the peg and put the peg on my chair.
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Author: Grabnerwg
Date: 2016-01-15 19:57
I play a Buffet Prestige 1193.
I use only the peg when sitting. For standing, I made a peg from hardware store materials that works just fine (it's probably not the most perfect cosmetically).
I used a neck strap earlier in my career when I had a bass clarinet with a less curved neck. Since getting the 1193, I have never felt like I needed it.
Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com
New Buffet 1193 (Prestige) and 1195 (Tosca) bass clarinets
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2016-01-16 00:42
I'm an amateur, playing a modern American Selmer bass. I use both the end-pin and the neck strap. I don't want all that weight on my thumb *or* my neck and I like having both hands free if I happen to need them.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2016-01-16 01:46
Hi All,
I thought back to my university physics classes and simple vector analysis and had a moment of clarity. It's really about forces)!
If a player positions his or her bass clarinet in a perfectly vertical position, a peg would serve solely to adjust the instrument's height. However, Walter's comment about the curvature of the neck and the need for a neck-strap before he got the 1193 made me realize something.
I tend to move the peg on my old Selmer bass back a little so as to position the MP at more of an upward angle into my mouth. Ergo, I need a neck strap to offset the slight forward rotation of my bass. Or purchase an after-market neck that is pitched at more of an angle. My fingers would then be free for, as David Spiegelthal says, "operating the keys."
I believe I have broken the code.
HRL
PS I wish Dr. Shirkey, my old professor, was still around so I could tell him "physics really does explain it all."
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Author: BflatNH
Date: 2016-01-16 03:01
Attachment: BassSupport1.jpg (278k)
I do no like the strap, and holding the bass with fingers interferes with playing, especially altissimo.
I made a support that frees up my fingers completely, and even allows me to press forward with my thumbs when I want.
Post Edited (2016-01-16 03:04)
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2016-01-16 04:08
BflatNH,
I think you are on to something here. I can see that one could easily adapt the three-legged floor mount on a Hercules folding clarinet/flute stand with a "receiver" of some sort that would accept the other end of my floor peg. Maybe with a slight forward angle.
To the drawing board (and Home Depot as well).
HRL
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2016-01-16 12:42
When sitting I use just a peg and when standing I use either a long peg or a harness (but not both).
Why7 I guess for the same reason everyone is using what they are using... it's the most comfortable to me.
Post Edited (2016-01-16 20:02)
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Author: Mojo
Date: 2016-01-18 04:13
I use both with my low C.
MojoMP.com
Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
MojoMouthpieceWork@yahoo.com
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Author: TomS
Date: 2016-01-18 22:07
Both. I try to lock it in position as much as possible, putting tension on the neck strap by pushing with my RH thumb.
Tom
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Author: John Morton
Date: 2016-01-20 05:50
When seated the peg works for me (Eb bass). For standing I have a long peg, but the horn is very vulnerable when propped on a stand that way.
Why does the bass clarinet not have cages around the low keys like a saxophone? I have practiced some with just a strap, and the big problem is that I have to hold the horn away from my body to avoid touching those keys. I intend to fashion something attaching to the peg socket to do this for me.
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