The Complete Handbook of Clarinet Pegs & Stands

Chapter 1: Understanding Clarinet Pegs & Stands

Why Instrument Support Matters More Than You Think

Every clarinetist has done it. You set your instrument down on a chair for a moment to adjust your reed, and then, in a single, horrifying second, you hear the unmistakable crack of wood hitting a hard floor. Or perhaps you have seen the result of a poorly designed stand in a colleague's case: a bell that has developed a hairline fracture from the pressure of a spike that was tightened too much, or a set of keys bent and misaligned from the instrument being knocked over. The clarinet is a marvel of precision engineering, but it is also a fragile one. It relies on an unbroken column of air and a perfectly adjusted mechanism of rods, levers, and pads, all housed in a body of seasoned grenadilla, rosewood, or composite material. A single fall from a chair or a poorly mounted stand can undo years of careful maintenance and result in a repair bill that rivals the cost of a good mouthpiece.

This is where the clarinet peg and the clarinet stand come into play. They are the designated protectors of your instrument when it is not in your hands. They are also, for many players, an ergonomic necessity that prevents back and neck strain. Yet, despite their importance, they are often the least considered pieces of equipment a musician owns. Many players use whatever came with their case, or whatever was cheapest at