Author: hautbois
Date: 2007-09-01 23:33
I don't think it is an American thing -- just an individual thing. In fact one of my two main teachers held the instrument that way, but the other (a student of Harold Gomberg) insisted that it be held higher. I think the first teacher had a standing posture with his neck bent slightly forward, and the instrument was therefore held lower towards the body in order for the air flow to be a straight flow from the throat. He also did more chamber music than large orchestra work, and his projection from that bent-over posture was more than adequate for that task. Projection in orchestral playing, on the contrary, would seem to benefit from an instrument held higher. As for arms held closely to the body, that reminds me of experiences in the pit, which is always crowded!
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