From: "Sung Hwang Wang"
Subject: [CB] Contrabass Clarinet Quick Fix and Question
Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2004 17:09:21 -0800
Greetings for the New Year! Hope everyone continues to
have contra-fun in 2005!
I came up with a quick-fix for my slipping peg problem.
It’s quite simple and low tech really, and works well if you don’t mind
it aesthetic-wise. As you know, my peg on the contra-alto
clarinet sometimes slips up, causing the instrument to bottom out,
because the screw/nut that grips the peg doesn’t do the job 100% of the
time. It gives up periodically and is frustrating. The list
has offered many great solutions, to which I give my utmost
appreciation. However I came up with a quick-fix last night.
I wrapped some black electrician tape around the area on the peg
where it meets the screw/nut, to basically thicken the diameter of the
peg in that area, therefore creating some friction in order to reduce
probability of slipping. So far it has worked very well, no
slipping yet, and I am confident again about leaving the instrument on
the stand without retracting the peg.
I know this solution may not be elegant, but is at least
practical and doesn’t look offensive either.
Does anyone take private lessons on contrabass clarinets?
If so, who provided them? Clarinet teachers? Bass clarinet
teachers? Or actual contrabass clarinet specialists? Just
wondering if such thing exists. I took lessons on bass clarinet,
and when I decided to go low to contra, I basically bought the horns
and learned them on my own. Sometimes I wonder if this is
acceptable, or if I am missing any valuable education if a contrabass
clarinet teacher has been available and I was able to take
lessons. I am willing to take private lessons, but the challenge
is finding qualified contrabass specialists in my area (or in any
area). So my question is: is learning the contra horns on your
own frowned upon? Does it hurt your credibility if you decided to
play to play in a more professional setting? Maybe a more direct
question is: If I wanted to play in my city’s symphony orchestra as an
on-call contrabass clarinettist, what kind of background/training do I
need in order to qualify me to “join the rank”? Does any music
faculties or conservatories even offer contrabass as a
major/specialty? I know that this is a rarity even for bass
clarinets.
Would appreciate your sharing of experience of comments.
Happy New Year!
Willy
***End of Contrabass Digest***