Klarinet Archive - Posting 000923.txt from 1995/10

From: "Scott D. Morrow" <SDM@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Bass Clarinet, Stand Partners, and Summer Camp
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 1995 10:04:20 -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

To add to my previous advice (based on this one!): In college, I
played in both the concert band (Eb soprano clarinet) and the orchestra (Bb
clarinet). I was so concerned about making the "mouthpiece size switch"
that I spent the entire intermission (after playing the soprano) with the
Bb mouthpiece in my mouth! I sat down to play with the orchestra and MY
FINGERS WOULDN'T HIT THE RIGHT HOLES: they were still "programmed" for the
smaller soprano!
Moral: Your switch will probably be automatic if you don't think about
it too hard!

-Scott

Scott D. Morrow
(410)-955-3631

SDM@-----.edu