Klarinet Archive - Posting 000622.txt from 1996/10

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Bass Clarinet
Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 12:21:12 -0400

Aimee,
I have not yet played a bass clarinet which is capable of
producing a tone in the upper registers which is anywhere as rich as the
lowest one. I believe it is simply a characteristic of the instrument. I
may eventually be proven wrong (I HOPE SO!) when someone designs an
instrument/mouthpiece combination which solves this problem. Until then,
get used to it. It is as much a fact of life as Piccolos being weak and
fuzzy in the lower register. They were designed for upper register work
and that's that. Many composers have found great uses for the weak ranges
of various instruments such as the opening of Rite Of Spring in the
altissimo of the Bassoon. Did you ever wonder why there are no Double
Bass soloists while there are lots of violinists, etc.? Even played by
a fantastic player (and I have heard some), the double bass sounds like a
badly made/played 'cello. No offense to bassists, please. I think we have a
similar case here with bass clarinet (tho not necessarily so extreme).

Fred Jacobowitz
Clarinet/Sax Instructor, Peabody Preparatory

On Wed, 23 Oct 1996, Aimee Kratofil wrote:

> Hi, I am new to the list. I have enjoyed the discussions for the past
> month, and now have a request.
>
> I have a student who is preparing for an audition (honors band) on bass
> clarinet. She is having the same problem I had when I played bass
> (college wind ensemble). Neither of us can play into the high register
> with the rich tone we can get in the lower and clarion register. I feel
> that we should be able to work up to the same quality of sound and range
> that we have on the Bb clarinet. I could be wrong! The piece she is
> preparing has some entrances on B above the staff, and Db above the
> staff. Right now she can't do that, and I don't think I could either. I
> would like to help her. Any suggestions?
>
>
> Aimee
> freelance clarinetest
> woodwind teacher
>