Klarinet Archive - Posting 000051.txt from 1997/08

From: agrenci@-----.net (Andrew Grenci)
Subj: Re: Bass Clarinet/ Study Material
Date: Sat, 2 Aug 1997 20:03:47 -0400

Fred S. Asks:

>The recent discussion about study material for the clarinet has been quite
>help...but what would the advice be for someone concentrating on the Bass
>Clarinet?
>
>Are there other, or additional texts and the like that would be more
>suitable for the harmony instruments...or are the "usual" recommendations
>[Hite editions, etc.] equally valuable for developing proficiency with the
>bass?
>
>Any thoughts, suggestions, comments will be much appreciated. Fred S.

As one who is presently making most of my living playing bass clarinet I
will say "yes", a bass clarinetist can benefit from the same etudes used
for clarinet. I have seen some books especially intended for bass clarinet
which concentrate almost exclusively on the chalumeau register. This is, in
my opinion, a major mistake. A bass clarinetist needs to master the entire
instrument just as a soprano clarinetist must.

There are, however, some additional skills an advanced bass clarinetist
must have:

1. A bass clarinetist must be able to read bass clef fluently.
2. Transposition of parts in A being played on a Bb instrument, while
needed sometimes on clarinet, is much more essential on bass clarinet.
These parts in A will be written in both treble and bass clef.
3. Sometimes in past traditions bass clarinet parts have been written in
treble clef, but sounding a major 2nd rather than a major 9th lower than
written. Bass clarinet players need to practice this.
4. If the instrument you have extends to low C, it is important to practice
all of the lower tones.

One thing you may try is to examine cello etudes. These are often in bass
clef and extend to low C. Many are quite useful for bass cl. Indeed, one
can alter clarinet etudes (i.e. transpose as if in A, read as major 2nd
transposition, etc.) to work on these skills. Of course, many of the
orchestral parts for bass are available which include various clefs and
transpositions.

Hope this helps,

Andy