Klarinet Archive - Posting 000422.txt from 1994/11

From: Christopher Zello <en444@-----.EDU>
Subj: Bass clarinets
Date: Wed, 30 Nov 1994 14:21:06 -0500

I have heard too sides to this bass clarinet controversy. I had
been taught a few years ago, that all clarinets in the family
should have the same mouthpiece angle in the mouth. This includes
bass clarinet, basset horn, et al. And because of the usual
straight angle of the bass clarinet neck, you would need to
purchase a Bay neck or some such device to keep that angle
the same without destroying your neck.

But. . .the most recent side which I have heard from the last
two people I have studied with, totally go against this. I
agree with these two, and feel that bass clarinet is a totally
different animal. The angle of the mouthpiece, by being some-
what more "flat" allows more of the reed to vibrate freely and
opens up the sound. Sure, the sound will be different. But,
Dan, specifically, and others who use the neck, don't you find
by comparing the size of the sound produced by the necks that
you get a much larger sound (granted I am not discussing
how much control you do or don't have--only the size) without
the Bay neck?

If you perceive the bass clarinet as part of the clarinet
family, where both are related, then shouldn't the neck be
adjusted to mimic the angle? But if you see the bass clarinet
as similiar to the clarinet, sharing the same fingering
system, but with many differences, then shouldn't you stick
with the original neck? Just a thought.

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