Klarinet Archive - Posting 000504.txt from 1998/02

From: Dee Hays <deerich@-----.net>
Subj: Re: Bass clarinets
Date: Tue, 10 Feb 1998 22:29:46 -0500

Dodgshun family wrote:

> I'm playing a bass for a show at the moment, and I think I've discovered
> something. We've been having days in excess of 30 degrees Celsius here, and
> I was having problems with the bass not behaving. I couldn't get anything
> above about B out without a lot of effort, and the tone was non-existent.
> It wasn't me, because several other players in the show tried it for me and
> agreed. But now that we've moved into the theatre, I've noticed a big
> difference. The bass is staying down there all the time, and the theatre is
> air-conditioned. The constant temperature and humidity seem to have
> improved the bass beyond all measure. Is this a common phenomenon? Any
> thoughts?
>
> Thanks
> Anna

Haven't played bass, but I experience the same thing on a standard clarinet.
However I have always been able to cope by selecting a different reed. Softer
ones would seem to work better on hot, muggy days. When the humidity was low, a
stiffer ones seemed to work better.

Dee Hays
deerich@-----.net
Canton, SD