Klarinet Archive - Posting 000190.txt from 1997/11

From: Matthew Hanson <mchanson@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Bass clarinet books
Date: Wed, 5 Nov 1997 18:20:39 -0500

Edward Branham wrote:
>
> I always approached the bass clarinet as a clarinet. If you are facile with
> standard clarinet methods, etudes, and literature, while playing the bass
> clarinet, any specifically bass clarinet parts that you will be required to
> play will be just another piece.
>
> SCM9348@-----.com wrote:
>
> > I know there seems to be a shortage of good etudes and studies for bass
> > clarinet as it is, but can any of you recommend one that concentrates on
> > etudes written in bass cleff? I guess I could use a trombone book or
> > something like that, but of course it wouldn't work on problems specific to
> > mine. This is an area I haven't explored much, and being primarily a bass
> > clarinetist (hopefully we won't discuss THAT again ;), I'm sure i'll be
> > seeing more pieces written in it as the literature gets harder. Thanks for
> > your help.
> >
> > --Stephen C. Moore / scm9348@-----.com

I agree that Bass should be thought of as a clarinet when looking for
study material, especially when it comes to technique. But, I, too
understand this dilema of how difficult it can be to find F clef studies
that fit the needs of the player. I use Weissenborn Bassoon studies.
They are wonderful for technique on bass. They work surprisingly well,
even for Eb contra. Of course there is a bit of tenor clef here and
there as the book progressively gets more difficult, but we're looking
for challenge, right?
hope this helps!

happy playing all,

Matt