 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: ozwind
Date: 2012-05-12 14:01
G'day there
I'm trying to learn to play bass clarinet, and I have a peg for the instrument. However, being fairly elderly, I need to wear variable focus spectacles, and I find I'm needing to move my head position as I read down the staves of the music, often jumping lines and reading notes down or up 2 tones. The peg makes moving the instrument to re-focus quickly pretty difficult.
I'm considering using a neckstrap and standing up to play (I'm not in an orchestra). I have tried fitting a simple strap (home made device) and though it gives adequate support as far as holding the weight of the clarinet is concerned, it never seems to be at the right angle to my body / mouth for it to be comfortable to play. So, I'm considering a device like the 'Gemini Ultimate Baritone / Bass Sax Harness'. I would also like to have a second strap to utilise both the strap rings on the bass as I feel this would give the correct body angle relationship.
Can anyone who has used devices like this please give the benefit of their experience; and as I am reasonably handy with leatherwork and it's tools, would I be advised to buy one off the shelf or tailor make one.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2012-05-12 15:58
Hi,
Stop. I don't think the problem is with the peg, I think it is with your glasses.
I'm somewhat elderly (OK, 74) and do a lot of pit work. Often I have to change from bass clarinet to clarinet or sax. I need tri-focals but when doing pit or even band work, I use what are called "computer glasses."
The lenses are in focus for the distance from the eye to a computer screen which happens to be about the same distance to a music stand (also the identical magnification as the middle lens on my trifocals). I am able to see much more music and not make the line skips you mentioned.
Granted, the conductor can be slightly out of focus but his or her beat is always clear. Stay with the peg and get a pair of these in-expensive classes before doing anything else.
HRL
PS I keep both pair of glasses (trifocals and computer) handy since the size of the notes on the page often changes for different types of arrangements.
Post Edited (2012-05-12 16:05)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BobD
Date: 2012-05-12 16:20
Someone should make a spring-loaded peg. Hank: I'm sending you a HoverRound ad.......
Bob Draznik
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2012-05-12 16:38
Varifocal glasses are a pain in the butt when it comes to music, especially when you have a rather immobile instrument such as the bass clarinet.
I second Hank's advice to get some unifocal computer glasses that are optimised for ~2.5ft distance. You'll still see enough of your conductor even if he's a bit fuzzy, but you will see the whole two sheets on your stand crisp and clear without having to move your head.
I ordered my glasses from Zenni's, they are accurately cut to your prescription and so cheap that you can keep one pair exclusively in your bass case.
(no other business with them except from being a happy customer)
--
Ben
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2012-05-12 16:49
I am with Hank on this.
I tried vari-focal lenses (the sort where the various lens areas are blended into each other) and they were a total disaster for music.
When playing bass ones head is pretty firmly fixed in position and you have to rely on moving the eyeballs to get around the page.
I had my optician write out my prescription for 3 distinct ranges (reading / music / distance) and then had a pair made up at just music strength using the largest available frame in his stock. This works fine for bass clarinet.
However I keep a pair of reading glasses handy for reed fitting etc..
Incidentally for guitar I used a quite different arrangement - the lenses are divided horizontally exactly mid way with reading lenses on top (to see the finder board) and music strength in the lower half.
My optician swore I wouldn't like them like that but in practice they work 100% for me.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Zenia
Date: 2012-05-12 18:54
My experience is the same as others above. My optometrist had me bring my bass clarinet, music stand and a piece of music with lots of black from top to bottom.
He took various measurements and had a dedicated pair of music glasses made up using an old frame with the new lenses. He also said it's a common solution for computer work and any other mid-distance continuous work. They work perfectly
and I also use them when playing soprano clarinet.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GeorgeL ★2017
Date: 2012-05-12 19:44
When I started playing bass clarinet while wearing trifocals, I would progressively slide the bass clarinet peg under my chair to adjust my vision through the middle lens as I read down the page. That was not a practical answer to the problem.
My solution was LASIK surgery (I was 60 at the time), which was a lot more expensive than the glasses others propose. On the other hand, it's been 10 years and I have not worn glasses while playing music since the surgery.
My nearsightedness was changed to monovision - one eye was corrected for reading (about 20/50 I believe); the other eye for distance (about 20/20). The doctor said some people adjust to monovision, others do not. If it had not worked for me, he would have zapped the reading eye again to correct it to 20/20, and I would have used reading glasses for reading and music.
I don't know if someone with poor vision can get corrective glasses which provide a monovision result, but if the answer is yes and it works for you, then you would be able to see both the music and the director clearly.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2012-05-12 21:36
The main issue with laser surgery is that it is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. So I'd rather wait until it is the only practicable solution if my eyesight is getting much worse.
--
Ben
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: donald
Date: 2012-05-12 22:31
I can't offer any advice re glasses- but I know/know of 4 or 5 bass clarinet players who use various harness type set ups. One good friend of mine just plays with a Baritone sax harness slightly adjusted... I'll see him this afternoon and ask him about it all.
d
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2012-05-12 22:55
I'm almost ashamed to say I bought my "computer glasses" on eBay for 6 pair at $18 several years ago. They came in 3 different ranges and one set worked great.
At some point down the road I'll probably get a prescription pair. But since I tend to be somewhat frugal, I do not plan to rush into it!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ozwind
Date: 2012-05-12 23:05
Thanks to all who have contributed. The best thing about your comments is to confirm for me that I'm not alone with this problem.
I have a pair of computer glasses and they are a bit better but don't seem to be a total fix.
I'll persevere with the computer glasses setup, but will be interested to hear from Donald again after meeting with his friend.
Again, thanks to all
Moggy
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2012-05-14 00:34
Moggy,
If you are seeking a "total fix" I think you are going to be disappointed. If the computer glasses do begin to correct your problem, then a pair of specific music reading glasses can be had at an optometrist.
You might also want to consider an ophthalmologist as there may be some sort of physiological dimension to your problem.
HRL
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ozwind
Date: 2012-05-14 04:42
Thanks Hank.
Yes I regularly visit an optometrist. I spent 40 years as a commercial pilot, so I built up qite an affinity with the opthos
Moggy
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ozwind
Date: 2012-05-14 04:44
Hey Donald,
Did you manage to find out anything more from your friend with the slightly adjusted baritone sax harness?
Moggy
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: donald
Date: 2012-05-14 09:32
HI, i saw Andrew Uren at Ken Wilsons funeral today and spoke with him briefly, but I didn't get the chance to discuss this. I'll send him an email and let you know what comes back
dn
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2012-05-14 20:45
I'm 72 and play bass clarinet in the Baltimore Symphony and I wear progressive lens for every day. I have reading glasses for when I play bass or regular clarinet. I bring my music stand into the eye doc, place it where I do when I'm playing and they make the reading classes for that distance, been working well for years. ESP
eddiesclarinet.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2012-05-14 22:24
Hank nailed it. Go to a drug store and buy a pair of reading glasses. They are cheap and they work great for music reading. I have a pair in all of my clarinet and sax cases just so I do not forget to pack one pair. It would be a good idea to take a sheet of music with you to the drug store to aid in picking out the correct strength of lens. Remember to hold the music far away as if it were on a music stand, not hold it close like you might read the paper. For me, 2.75 works great and they cost around $12 a pair. For "real life", I have progressive lens, but they just do not work for reading music where it is nice to see the whole page at a glance and not have to twist your head up and down to adjust for the reading part of your prescription lens. Clarinet playing can be tough enough without dealing with focal issues.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ozwind
Date: 2012-05-15 07:23
One and All
Thanks for your input.
I agree that glasses focussing on the page at about 2.5 to 3 feet out is about 90% of the problem fixed.
But I would like to hear from a few folks using an harness.
Can anyone help regarding an harness?
Thanks
Moggy
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarnibass
Date: 2012-05-15 07:55
I use a harness when I stand. I have tried many. I've tried many neck straps. I've tried a couple of long pegs for standing. I've tried a stomach support (mine was made by Steve Fox who then started offering them, see his website). I play about 50/50 standing/sitting I'm guessing. Standing with a harness with the instrument (low C) to my side (like a saxophone) is most comfortable for me, but most others prefer to play with the instrument in the middle. When sitting I just use the short peg, no strap, with instrument in the middle.
I don't have reading glasses, but I have glasses for distance. I use them when I read sheet music and they help. I can manage without them but it's less comfortable. In general it's easier to read music when standing since I'm more free to move if necessary.
My father uses reading glasses. He has to use them for the computer too and he says they help for everything up to about 1m (or slightly less) away. He uses the cheap ones you can buy almost anywhere. So like several others I recommend this option too.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BobD
Date: 2012-05-15 22:08
Now....if only someone would make those cheap drugstore glasses so that each lens could be exchanged for a different strength.
Bob Draznik
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
