 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: BGBG
Date: 2019-05-20 23:28
I was curious as to whether it is better to sit or to stand when practicing, or does it not matter?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ruben
Date: 2019-05-21 00:59
My policy: a bit of both. I sit for music that is normally played in public seated; stand when I practise what is normally played standing (concertos, sonatas, pieces for unaccompanied clarinet). I haven't tried a lieing position! ha ha.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: kdk
Date: 2019-05-21 02:37
ruben wrote:
> I haven't tried a lieing position! ha ha.
Might be good for practicing breathing if you can deal with the water running back from the mouthpiece into your mouth.
Karl
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: kdk
Date: 2019-05-21 02:47
Almost everyone who plays an orchestral instrument (excepting percussionists) sits when playing in an ensemble, so you need to be able to do that. Players in small jazz groups often stand, so if that's the kind of music you might eventually want to play with other people, you need to be able to do that. Presumably, you're not from your past posts interested in soloing in front of a symphony orchestra. Otherwise, it's most important that you be comfortable and that, whether you sit or stand, your posture supports good breathing and good finger movement.
It might be instructive for you to practice both ways - standing is more likely to encourage naturally good posture and breathing and an efficient hand position. Then you can try to duplicate everything you did when standing to your upper body when sitting (including posture, arm, hand and head positions, instrument angle and embouchure). Sitting can be less stressful on the body and will be how you play if you join a community band at some point.
Karl
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Philip Caron
Date: 2019-05-21 06:06
It's a little harder to play standing if you use double-lip embouchure, especially if you're accustomed to using a knee or something to stabilize the instrument while sitting. Some double-lip players choose to sit even as soloists. C6 in particular, with just two thumbs holding the clarinet, can feel loosely controlled, and there pressure against the upper lip is most noticeable. However, it's all certainly doable and achievable with practice.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2019-05-21 07:32
I recall practicing both ways back in college just to break things up. But I agree with the above comments. You want to practice as you will perform (either way).
I also recall attending a master class given by horn master Hermann Baumann where he advocated not only standing for better air support, he additionally asserted that HOW you stand affects support. He demonstrated a stance with one foot slightly ahead of the other and leaned his body over that foot a bit saying that this will give you the most support for loud passages. Then leaned back over the rear foot saying that this will allow a more relaxed support for soft passages. If you know Hermann Baumann's playing, you have to take this stuff a little seriously.
................Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ruben
Date: 2019-05-21 12:44
Paul: very interesting! I'll try Baumann's suggestions. I would just like to add that I have always found that it is a bit of a cliché on the part of teachers to repeat that you breathe better and have a better wind column when you stand. When you breathe well, you breathe well sitting, standing or lieing, though in the last mentioned option, there is a danger of swallowing one's clarinet.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ruben
Date: 2019-05-21 12:47
Philip: I play double-lip and I agree with your statement. I seem to recall that the great Harold Wright-a double-lipper-played in a seated position, as you said; even when playing solos.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tom H
Date: 2019-05-22 07:25
I always practice sitting. Only exception may be if I'm playing a solo in the near future I may stand a time or two.
The Most Advanced Clarinet Book--
tomheimer.ampbk.com/ Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001315, Musicnotes product no. MB0000649.
Boreal Ballad for unaccompanied clarinet-Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001314.
Musicnotes product no. MNO287475
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: nellsonic
Date: 2019-05-22 11:30
While it's true that Harold Wright was known to sit while playing as a soloist, I've had multiple students fully participate in marching band as double lip players without issue. Granted they never sounded like Harold Wright (who did?)but they had pleasing tone and plenty of individual success competitively.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tobin
Date: 2019-05-22 15:56
I also have students who play double lip for whom standing or marching band is not an issue. I think the issue is relying on your knee when your face is tired as opposed to taking a break and resuming in a couple of minutes without the artificial support?
When I played double lip for several years I only recall playing on my knee when I was gassed and had no options.
Back to the original topic: I practice sitting for pieces that are performed sitting or when I’m developing a piece. I stand when “performing” pieces that will be performed standing.
James
Gnothi Seauton
Post Edited (2019-05-22 18:55)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2019-05-22 16:35
When I was younger and practiced for hours on end I usually practiced clarinet standing. I was often more alert by doing that and not being restricted to a chair. Of course playing bass I would sit. I don't think it really matters, what's ever comfortable. These days I practice a lot less and I sit, but I'm retired so practice is actually just playing for a while,
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2019-05-24 04:55
Kinda wacky, maybe, but the music informs my decision whether to perform sitting or standing. For example, I prefer sitting to perform the Brahms sonatas.
I'll leave it up to you to figure out why. I can't.
B.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BGBG
Date: 2019-05-25 22:55
Reason I asked is because I read somewhere someone said to stand because it helped breathing. I myself always sit. So I thought I would ask. Seems it is not really NECESSARY to stand. guess it might not really matter.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ruben
Date: 2019-05-26 01:53
BGBG: I have practised tai chi for most of my life on a daily basis, and all of my Chinese teachers have insisted on the fact that the lower your center of gravity is, the better and deeper your breath. Thus, when you stand, it should feel as though you are seated: or grounded.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ruben
Date: 2019-05-31 13:10
An additional reason to get used to playing in a standing position is that-at least here in Europe-they usually ask you to stand during auditions. There's a funny story about the great French clarinetist, Cahuzac. He was the union delegate of his orchestra. They received the visit of the Minister of Culture and Cahuzac gave a little oral report. While he was giving his talk, the minister's secretary said to Cahuzac: "you could at least be polite enough to stand up when you speak with a minister." To which Cahuzac replied: "I'll have you know I am standing!!". He wasn't quite the tallest of men.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kaos
Date: 2019-06-01 01:08
True, like ruben said here in Europe (I'm from Italy) we are taught to practice standing also because in every auditions they ask you to stand and play.
I usually practice standing unless I'm tired. When I sit I have a good chair like the ones in orchestra to keep the correct breathing and air support, no slouching!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
