Klarinet Archive - Posting 000229.txt from 2001/07

From: Richard Bush <rbushidioglot@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Bass Clarinet
Date: Mon, 9 Jul 2001 19:32:12 -0400

First, I would do everything possible to get a different and better
mouthpiece. Secondly, consider using softer reeds than what you use on
soprano clarinet. The embouchure is similar but softer. Put more in your
mouth. Hold the mouthpiece with reed on sideways to the light and determine
exactly where the mouthpiece starts to curve away from the reed. The lower
lip should straddle this location of separation. It will be about an inch
and a quarter from the tip of the mouthpiece. Experiment with this. Put more
and more mouthpiece into your mouth until you start to loose control and
then back off a little from there. The angle should be down as much as
possible and as close to aa soprano clarinet angle as you can manage. This
is hard on older Bundy basses as they have little or no upward curve below
where the mouthpiece attaches. Hold it between your legs and tucked as far
under the chair as you can get it.

Jesse Rogers wrote:

> Hello All,
> I am relatively new to the list, and am
> requesting feedback on doubling on bass clar (I
> am playing Reed 2 in Kiss Me Kate, cl, bass cl,
> alto sax).
> I quit playing clarinet for about 10 years and
> started up again a few years ago. I have not
> played the bass clarinet since college and am
> having trouble controlling the sound. I
> squeak! Pretty much throughout the range. The
> horn is a plastic Bundy with a "Woodwind - Vito
> II" mouthpiece. The horn is borrowed, but all
> the pads seat (though the action is iffy). My
> questions are:
> What angle should the mouthpiece enter the
> embouchure?
> How much mouthpiece goes in the mouth?
> How similar is the bass cl. embouchure to the
> clarinet?
> Thank you,
> jr
>
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