Klarinet Archive - Posting 000955.txt from 1995/10

From: Jacqueline G Eastwood <eastwooj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Bass Clarinet, doubling
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 1995 18:40:43 -0400

Hi, Clark. I just wanted to mention that the Arizona Opera is also doing
"Madama Butterfly", in March, but since there are two Bb clarinet books, I
got out of doing the bass part -- they have had to contract a third for
this production! I'm just worried that maybe my luck will run out next
season.....

Jacqueline Eastwood
University of Arizona/Arizona Opera Orchestra
eastwooj@-----.edu

On Wed, 25 Oct 1995, CLARK FOBES wrote:

> I have not had much time to read the Klarinet list lately because I
> have been very busy performing and working. However, having just
> finished a run of "Madama Butterfly" on bass clarinet with the San
> Francisco Opera I think I can add some salient comments on the subject
> of playing bass clarinet.
>
> I think that for most clarinetists playing the bass clarinet is
> more akin to a hobby than a serious effort. The reasons are clear. Most
> students who work toward a performance degree seem to think that they
> are going to win a principal clarinet job and study to that end. This
> is fine. In fact, I am right in line with every one who has indicated
> that studying the clarinet should take precedence over bass clarinet.
>
> However, If you want to excell on the bass clarinet there comes a
> point where one just has to live with the damn thing for awhile. It is
> impossible to become fluent on the bass if you do not own one or have
> one at your immedite disposal for a good 6 months to a year. I know
> when I first became fluent on the bass clarinet. It was a summer I
> spent playing bass clarinet with the "American Wind Symphony". Part of
> my duties were to play clarinet in a quintet so I did not lose those
> skills, but my goal that summer was to learn all of the Rose 32 etudes
> on bass and play them as well as I did on clarinet. It worked.
>
> And, as Dan Leeson hinted at, you have to love the sound. You must
> really enjoy playing with the basses and cellos and bassoons. In all of
> Madama Butterfly there really are no juicy solos, but one takes his
> reward from playing ensemble, making beautiful sounds and regarding the
> genius of Puccini in his orchestration and use of the bass clarinet for
> color.
>
> I also STRONGLY disagree with the statement that you have to get
> used to "really pumping the air through the bass clarinet". That is
> pure nonsense. A good instrument with an efficient mouthpiece and the
> proper strength reed is very efficacious in producing a sonority that
> will come through the orchestra with the same effort as playing a
> soprano clarinet. I do coach players occasionally and with out
> exception they all come to me playing a set up that is simply too
> resistant. I also think that many players believe that because the
> instrument is bigger it NEEDS to be played LOUDER. As a member of the
> orchestra the bass clarinet has a very distinctive voice and projects
> easily. If necessary, the bass clarinet is capable of a huge sound, but
> the ability to play incredible pianissimi is often overlooked.
>
> If you want to be a lout, play out. But if you want to be an artist
> you must have musical skills and sensitivity that are as good as any of
> your colleagues that play principal oboe, flute, clarinet etc.
>
> As to switching or doubling this is a practical matter that only
> comes from experience. Any good doubler will tell you that the most
> important aspect of switching is to have mouthpiece set ups that are
> compatible. That's probably different for every one, but my approach
> has been to have a bass mouthpiece and clarinet mouthpiece that present
> a similar resistance and a similar quality of sound. That is, the bass
> clarinet should be a lower extension of your clarinet sound and vise
> versa.
>
> I do a lot of playing in the San Francisco area as a bass
> clarinetist, but I consider myself a clarinetist first. Clarinet is
> what I studied primarily as a student and what I practice most. I have
> always considered bass clarinet my second love, but a very close
> second.
>
> Clark W Fobes
>