 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Windy Dreamer
Date: 2018-10-12 17:23
Are there any recognized disabled improvisational clarinet players that overcome disability by adopting unconventional methods of play ? An example would be someone without enough fingers.
In my case I overcome spasticity by keeping one finger firmly pressed against the lower joint center open tone hole unless all of the upper joint holes are blocked. It is the only way I can maintain control of the clarinet. I play the clarinet as though it was five different instruments. Each of my melodies contains only three to six unique notes.
This method of play gives me great pleasure. People that have heard my playing have encoraged me to busque .They claim my melodies are uplifting and empowering .
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Author: nellsonic
Date: 2018-10-13 02:11
I'd be interested to hear you play.
I have two students with some difficulties - one with a degenerative muscle disease and one with tendon issues that pretty severely affect the functionality of one his hands. Both have had some modification done to the instrument, and are likely to have more done as their conditions evolve.
In pursuit of improvements for them I was introduced to the one-handed clarinet. Pretty interesting! Really deserves it's own post:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vci-D7OmKU
http://www.peterworrell.co.uk/onehandedclarinet.htm
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Author: Windy Dreamer
Date: 2018-10-13 04:24
I am glad to hear about someone willing to teach disabled students. Local teachers here treated me with total contempt when I tried to hire them. Today i decided to go public with my playing.Unfortunately it has been raining all day. As I write this I am sitting in a foyer at an aboriginal college youth conference. I have been carrying my clarinet all day. I am amazed by the number of complements I received while walkiing with an assembled clarinet.
Enroute to the conference I stopped in at the faculty of music office. I spoke with the admissions counselor there about the need for reform in the way music is taught. She was very receptive and directed me to a private jazz club where several professors hang out, jam and encourage aspiring players. Membership is only $30.00 per year plus $5.00 a night . She told me to bring my clarinet and she promised to point me out among potentially receptive professors.
Overall it has been a very good day.
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Author: Daniel Yeabsley
Date: 2018-10-13 07:33
I can think ofa couple of sax players who conquered disabilities.
Rahsaan Roland Kirk- famous for playing two or three saxes at once. He had a stroke later on that left one side of his body paralyzed- luckily his horns were altered to play one handed!
There’s a good sax player in my home town who lost an arm to cancer- had his tenor sax modified to permit one-handed playing.
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Author: Windy Dreamer
Date: 2018-10-13 08:24
I think I got past the insecurity about my play style walking around the campus today. So many people walked up to complement my frankenet. When I told them it was made of parts discarded by a public school repair tech they got quite excited.They seemed even more excited when I told them about my improv stye due to spasticity. They wanted me to play in the halls but I declined due to classes in session.
I love Evan Christopher and New Orleans Dixieland improv style street performances.With long white scruffy beard, even longer Einstein hair and a leather vaquero hat I think I have the theatrical aspect of the show down pat. I' m thinking about adding oversized blues brothers sunglasses but that might be overkill.
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