Klarinet Archive - Posting 000730.txt from 1996/10

From: John Morgan <morgan@-----.CA>
Subj: Bass Clarinet
Date: Mon, 28 Oct 1996 23:40:00 -0500

>At 15:54 23/10/96 -0700, you 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 play bass clarinet in our community band. The sound that I end up with in
the high register is more like an alto sax rather than the deep dark sound
that I get in the low registers - if this is satifactory, the sound is very
mellow and full, and here are some of things I have done.

1. Use a pro model mouth piece - I use a Van doren B45.
2. Use good quality reeds that are not too soft.
3. Play a pro model bass or at the very least a Yamaha student model. - A
lot of people may disagree but I have played several models of student bass
clarinets and the the only one that I get up up to the altissimo register
consistently is on is the Yamaha. I was so happy with my Yamaha student
model I bought it.
4. Put away the soprano clarinet and try to do all your favorite practice
pieces on the bass. Its a bit of a challenge but fun.
5. Practice,practice and practice.

Hope this helps and good luck.

John Morgan.
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>>John Morgan, P.Eng
>>morgan@-----.ca
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>John Morgan, P.Eng
>morgan@-----.ca
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John Morgan, P.Eng
morgan@-----.ca
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