Klarinet Archive - Posting 000910.txt from 1995/10

From: John Baetens <jsbtens@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Bass Clarinet, Stand Partners, and Summer Camp
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 1995 01:06:48 -0400

At 08:34 PM 10/24/95 -0400, Nate wrote:

>Abby asked about how hard it is to switch from soprano to bass clarinet, and
>maybe I can offer advice. First of all, it's going to be weird to adjust to
>a bigger embouchure, but you'll do that almost instantly. The biggest thing
>to be aware of is to *really* pump that air into the instrument! You'll need
>to put a lot more wind in, so concentrate on taking deep, controlled breaths
>from the diaphragm and focus your air stream. It really isn't too hard a
>switch to make, all in all -- go for it!!
>
This is good advice, but may I add one thing? From my experience, the
problem is not switching to bass clarinet that is hard, but going back
to soprano after playing bass for awhile. I switched to bass clarinet
in the seventh grade from first chair Bb soprano. When I switched back
to Soprano in the ninth grade, I had to fight to get back into the first
section. So my advice is, go with the bass but don't stop practicing
your soprano!

John Baetens