Klarinet Archive - Posting 000815.txt from 1998/02

From: Dodgshun family <dodgshun@-----.nz>
Subj: Re: Possible Bass Clarinettist?
Date: Sun, 22 Feb 1998 19:22:11 -0500

At 06:04 PM 22/02/98 -0500, you wrote:
>Hi everybody.
>
>In my jazz arranging class, we are to play and record our compostitions.
>Well, my teacher doesn't think that a clarinet has much part in our
>arrangements (!) so he wants me to play bass clarinet. No problem, right?
>Wrong! I've never played bass before! I would like to know if it is
>possible to be able to pick it up and handle the pieces with some
>practice. What do I have to know before I pick it up? How different is
>it from the soprano? Or would I have major problems and I should just
>forget the whole thing?
>
>I appreciate *any* advice anyone can give!
>
>TIA,
>Shelley Scott
>
You shouldn't have too much difficulty with the bass. The angle between
your mouth and the mouthpiece is different, but you get accustomed to that
pretty quickly. On the bass I've got, there are a few sticky notes, and I
think that's inevitable. The only problems I've had start when I get up
above high C. With enough practice, I think you'd be fine. I only started
on bass at the beginning of last year, and by June I was playing it with a
pro orchestra. You may need a slightly softer reed - I use a 3 on soprano
clarinet and a 2 1/2 on bass. I say go for it - bass is fun and jazz bass
clarinet is something else. All the Miles Davis/Gil Evans recordings use it
- it just adds that little bit extra.
Hope this helps
Anna