Klarinet Archive - Posting 000649.txt from 1995/06

From: John Baetens <JSBtens@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Bass Clarinets and the like
Date: Tue, 27 Jun 1995 21:56:43 -0400

M. Zaiem Beg writes:

>... Also, I've had a hard time hitting the low notes on my
>tenor sax, which I just took up a couple of months ago
>...ideas for that, too? :)

Can't help you much on your bass clarinet problem, but the
sax problem is very common among clarinet players. Once
you get the low notes, as far as I'm concerned, the rest is
easy. First of all, if you haven't already, have your instrument
checked by a reputable repairman to make sure the keys
are aligned properly and there are no leaks. Once beyond
that, you have to learn to relax your embouchure, especially
on the low notes. Do not turn the corners of your mouth
up as in clarinet playing, but make your mouth form an O
around the mouthpiece, with equal pressure all around. You
may need to expose a little more lower lip. At first, try
starting at the top of the lower register and work your way
down the scale all the way to Bb. Once you can hit the
low notes this way, try starting out at low C. This is much
harder than starting at a higher note. But once you get this,
you are on your way.

John Baetens