 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Molly
Date: 2000-09-04 17:09
I've just switched to playing Bass Clari in my high school concert band. Up until now, I've played the uh 'regular' clari for about 5 years. I didnt get ANY instruction, i was handed the school's rental and was told "play". Thats it. I can get the lower octave notes out and they sound very "pretty" for lack of a better word, however, when i get to B natural (middle of the staff) I can BARELY squeak it out. I have very little trouble with most of the upper octave, other than the fact that they are very quiet and kind of stuffy, except for C, F, F#. Those I can only get out after SEVERAL tries and loud obnoxious squeaking noises. Is this an embouchure switching problem or is it typical for most Basses or just typical to a new bass player? I'm at a loss for words, and I dont know how to fix it. I'm the only bass clari in the band so i'm kinda out here on my own... please if you have any words of wisdom... help me. Thank you.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-09-04 21:15
They sure do squeek easily, dont they?? Probably one or several pads are either bad or not seating as they should, the worst offender in my experience being the left thumb. Also I still have trouble with Not touching the G# [left knuckle] when doing some fast fingering, it'll squeek it also. You might let us know the make, wood or plastic, and does it have a key [register} on the neck? Almost certainly it needs a skillful Bass Cl repair-tech's tweaking. Will try to help further if needed. Don
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Author: Molly
Date: 2000-09-04 21:50
Well... its says "Noblet" perhaps that's the make?, its wood, and it has the normal register key. Nothing on the neck though. And my band director said it just came back from the shop... hmm...
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Author: Willie
Date: 2000-09-05 02:04
Keepimg my daughter's school bass working has been a constant job for me as its in poor condition. Try fingering one of the offending notes and blow nice long tones while someone else presses each pad cup one at a time this is what I do some times if I don't have my leak light with me. If you find the bad pad then you can point it out to your director. It doesn't take much to get a squeek out of a bass or contra. They can be very finicky.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-09-05 14:38
Willie says it well, the "tweaking" work on a bass is seldom finished IMHExperience. Noblet should be a good horn. It seems that back then LeBlanc was reluctant to put double register keywork on their better basses. I had a LL model with only the "compromise" vent on the metal UJ socket, was unhappy so traded it for my "doubled" Selmer and found improvement in the lower clarion notes!! Dave S should be able to give good advice, his bass work seems more extensive than mine. Also look for advice on the new thread started above. Don
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Author: Graham Elliott
Date: 2000-09-05 17:36
A word of encouragement. When i took up bass clarinet as a kid it took some while before the sound filled out, particularly in the upper register, but sheer passge of time with it solved most of those problems without my noticing (i.e. band master saying "play up" one moment, and "hold back" the next). Bass Clarinets need a large through put of air, and seem to present an unusual resistance (seemingly less resistance, but a voracious appetite for air). Breathe frequently and think of exhaling rather than blowing. Another point, even on the best basses, clarion register f natural to g sharp are extremely difficult to start or even maintain. Don't worry too much. Relax and it will come to you in time.
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Author: SusieQ
Date: 2000-09-05 19:21
Molly,
What strength reed are you using? You will probably need a softer reed to start out with on the bass clarinet, or try a Legere synthetic reed. They work great for me. Also try to loosen your embochure a little along with taking in a little more mouthpiece when playing the upper register. Bass Clarinets can be temprimental to say the least. I call mine "the beast". Good Luck, hope this helps.
SusieQ
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Author: Kontragirl
Date: 2000-09-06 20:36
I would try a softer reed too. I play a 4 on clarinet and a 2.5 on bass. Your message reminded me of my first time with the bass. High notes are really tough until you get good at them. Not to say I wouldn't do the leak test as mentioned above. I know they're boring, but long tones will really help. Good luck, and the bass clarinet is really a great instrument once you get good at it.
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Author: Ryan Simpson
Date: 2000-09-10 16:20
Clarinets and Bass Clarinet are very different. When you start to play hicher notes, lossen your embouchure, instead of tightening it.
Also try a softer reed, and make sure you use Vandoren reeds because theyve always worked for me.
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Author: Ryan Simpson
Date: 2000-09-10 16:29
Sorry...I forgot t mention something. Since Bass Clarinets are a long instrument they are VERY fragile. You might have bent a key and not realized it. You said you had problems with "middle" Bb. Try using the chromatic fingering which is the A key and the Second (from the top) Side key (the set of 4 keys in a row on the upper part of the horn)
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