Klarinet Archive - Posting 000526.txt from 1996/09

From: "Daniel A. Paprocki" <dap@-----.US>
Subj: Re: Bb
Date: Tue, 24 Sep 1996 14:52:37 -0400

Barry,
Us bass clarinetists never (well 99% never) use the low Eb for a
long Bb. All bass clarinets have a mechanism that opens smaller hole when
using the register key as a register key and when using the register key to
produce a throat Bb, a larger hole is opened. This is dependent on if the
throat A key is open or not. It's easier to look at a bass clarinet and
see how this mechanism works than to explain it. This gives us a good
sounding throat Bb.
Now if we're talking tuning on the long B in the clarion register!!
This is the worst note on the bass clarinet. I've heard that the new
Buffet Prestige and new Selmer basses have improved this. The long B has
to be lowered by tape in the hole and a very loose embrochure - and if you
have to play pianissimo! - just pray!! Half the battle to playing the bass
clarinet involves that note in tune and I don't think I'm exagerating.

Dan

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Daniel A. Paprocki
Instructor of Clarinet
Malone College
dap@-----.us

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