Klarinet Archive - Posting 001349.txt from 2000/06

From: Lacy Schroeder <LacyS@-----.org>
Subj: RE: [kl] Bass clarinet... I hate you!
Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2000 19:27:33 -0400

Well, first thing is first: you have to get over the fact that it is =
not a
soprano clarinet! Then, you'll be on your way. But here are some hints =
(I've
played bass and soprano both a lot! Quite a few times in the same piece =
or
on different pieces in the same concert):

The embochure is going to be different from the soprano. Try to find a =
good
angle to set the peg so that you have an angle of entry into your mouth
closer to the clarinet than of the saxophone. A sax embochure is =
certain
death!=20

Second, the higher notes won't come out right if you use too much air. =
The
air flow seems (to me) to be a bit less focused than on soprano, but =
then
again, that could just be me and I could be wrong. But it does take =
more air
to play.=20

I think I'll be quiet now. Even though I play a mean bass clarinet, I =
don't
exactly know where to start to explain how I do it! Hopefully, one of =
the
other more *experienced* teachers out there in sneezy-land can help you
better.

-----Original Message-----
From: Andrea Bergamin [mailto:a.bergamin@-----.it]
Subject: [kl] Bass clarinet... I hate you!

Some day ago a friend of mine has phoned me asking me to substitute him =
for
a tourn@-----.
I've to play the bass-clarinet in Dovrak's Requiem.

I've accepted but... ohps... I've never played bass in my life!

Today I've taken a bass clarinet, a Buffet Prestige with a Selmer D
mouthpiece and 3 1/2 Vandoren reeds.

Well... I hate HIM!

I hate the fact that:

1. with my soprano I use to bite a lot the reed but I've found that =
with the
bass it isn't possible.
2. every reed seems too light for me. I tried some 4 and some 4 1/2... =
too
light!
3. I can hear the "bzzz" of the reed.
4. it seems to have a carrot in the mouth.
5. I cannot find a comfortable position of the ferrule.
6. I cannot find the right embouchure.
7. it makes me feel like a saxophonist.

I've 1 month to became a "professional" bass player.
Professional... it will be enough to be able to take an octave jump =
without
a squeak!

Any suggestion will be more than appreciated.

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