Klarinet Archive - Posting 000608.txt from 1998/11

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Bass Clarinet Forgetting
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 14:03:31 -0500

On Tue, 17 Nov 1998, Ginger Hill wrote:
> Is it just me, or do Band directors seem to always forget that wonderful
> bass clarinet? I feel outcast. :( I play the baritone parts (they're the
> same) and I'm always the forgotton when it comes to doing something
> right. Thoses dumb baritones couldn't "tut tut" if their lives depended
> on it, yet they're congratulated for things that I do!

Band directors often place there weakest players on bass clarinet and then
promptly forget about the part. Why? A couple of reasons. First, they
don't understand how to teach the bass clarinet, the instrument is a pile
of doo doo, the mouthpiece is awful, and the reed is too soft or too hard
- not to mention those terrible LaVoz brands (sorry, couldn't resist a did
there).

The other half of the equation is that, if the composer simply doubles the
euphonium/baritone line with a bass clarinet or tenor sax, bass clarinet
is not necessary - we have plenty of saxophones to help support what is
obviously just a bass line. The better composers know how to use bass
clarinet and how to use that voice as an extension of the clarinet family
(or saxphone family - fairly interchangeable).

Band directors are not the only culprits!

Roger Garrett
IWU

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