 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: David Pegel
Date: 2002-02-15 02:16
This is going to sound like quite an interesting problem when I actually type it down...
I'm 5 foot 9 inches tall. Purely average height. Yet somehow when I sit down with my EEb Contralto the mouthpeice comes up to just below my chin.
This may not sound like much of a problem, but here is a list of complications:
1. If I use a neckstrap to reach the mouthpeice, I get considerable neck strain.
2. If I hold it up without any support, of course my arms go dead.
3. I can't find any necks that'll reach my mouth and still let me play in tune.
4. Body straps are tacky and I still have to hold it up a little.
5. I can't install a peg on a school-loaned instrument without permission and sufficient reason, and my band director will most likely not think of this as sufficient reason.
6. I'm tired of arching my back to reach the mouthpeice and constricting the air flow, NTM almost causing back complications.
7. I don't like balancing awkward instruments on my foot and playing at the same time.
Any other possible solutions? I suppose I can carry a brick with me; I could set the Contra on that and then it would be about right. Still, anything more practical?
Also, does this happen to anyone else? Or am I just weird? Like I said, I'm average height. You'd think they'd make it useful for an average person to play an "average" instrument.
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-02-15 03:10
Have you tried wearing high heels or cloggs? LOL
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Author: William Hughes
Date: 2002-02-15 04:22
David:
Since you may not get a whole host of replies to your query, I will offer you the benefit of my entire five months of experience on the contra. I am 5'8". My Bundy contra alto hits me just right when it is tuned out about two inches. Pushed fully in, I need a chair pad.
You may need either a support under the bell (a wooden board sounds more practical than a brick) or a seat that adjusts, like a drummer's stool. A peg would seem pretty unsteady for the heft of a composite contra.
Maybe you've simply outgrown the EEb contra alto and its time to move onto a BBb contra bass!
Best of luck.
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Author: willie
Date: 2002-02-15 04:35
I was using an old school contra for community band that had no peg. Depending on which chair I was sitting in, I used an old oboe or clarinet case under it to get the right heigth. Maybe if you grab the grungiest case you can find, or the directors own case, maybe he will spring for a peg. I also used to keep extra junk in the small case as the school case had no compartments anymore. Have fun! I'd rather play my contra than anything else right now.
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Author: Brian
Date: 2002-02-15 11:43
When I was in high school and played contra I used my math book to prop mine on. And trust me any of the suggestions here will work 'cause I was 6'1" my junior year!
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Author: Lynn LeBlanc
Date: 2002-02-15 16:21
I own and play a Selmer Model 40 (Rosewood)EEb Conta-alto that has a peg, and this horn was manufactured in 1968. I am 6'0" tall and sit on two high-density foam cushions that increase my floor to seat hieght by about 4". To make matters worse, I suffer from the over 40 problem of having to wear bi-focals. You could use the same sort of cushions that I use to sit on, but place them between the bell and floor. You can find these cushions in a garden center, because they are designed to be used when kneeling and they also have a handy grip molded right in.
Best Regard
Lynn
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2002-02-15 21:18
Lynn, a way around the bi-focals is to go to your optic---guy and order a pair of glasses focused on the distance you normally sit from your music stand., You will find they work great for your computer also, depending on the focal length. Don't cost too much either. And you can still see the (blurrred) director (in case you are one of those who look).
Bob A
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-02-18 02:25
Lynn - do you, by chance use an iMac or similar computer?
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