 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Erin
Date: 1999-05-10 22:58
I just have a few questions about playing bass clarinet... How can you improve the tone of a bass clarinet? Especially from throat E on up, those notes are really sharp and fuzzy... the low notes are ok, maybe a little rumbly. Also, how can you make the higher notes come out easier? I have trouble getting out anything above top line F. I don't normally play bass, but we're playing the Hovannes "Mysterious Mountain" in my youth orchestra and I was assigned the part. I'm playing the orchestra's bass; it's a LeBlanc Paris model 400, with a Vandoren B-46 mpc... Thanks for any help anyone can give me on this subject!
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Author: snowjacks
Date: 1999-05-10 23:31
I don't know what is more depressing:
1.) The popularity of bass clarinets has fallen to the point where the instrument has to be assigned, or
2.) Teachers are too busy to teach, and aspiring young musicians must resort to the Internet for advice, or
3.) Your bass clarinet is nicer than my bass clarinet.
Seriously, here is some advice:
- try a softer reed as a beginner, a 2 or 2 1/2.
- check the instrument for air leaks. Do this by removing the mouthpiece, removing the bell, closing all the keys, and blowing into the neck while someone holds their hand over the lower tenon to seal it off. You probably have a leak near the throat E.
- Verify that the dual register key mechanism is working correctly, ie one hole must fully close when the other opens. If both are open at the same time, that can cause your upper register problem.
- After that, practice, practice, practice. It's all about embouchure, and switching back and forth from bass to soprano is very difficult for beginners.
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Author: Katherine Pincock
Date: 1999-05-10 23:55
Actually, if you're having problems with the higher notes, I'd suggest using a 3 or 3 1/2 reed, and practicing with that. It'll tire you out faster, but it'll also build up your embouchure faster, and that will probably fix most of your problems. Remember to keep your embouchure loose, and more mouthpiece in your mouth--it'll feel like too much, but it'll make a big difference.
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Author: Contragirl
Date: 1999-05-11 03:26
It takes a while to get used to. Take your time. I don't recomend "12ths". Those are so frustrating. My private teacher calls the fussiness "Bass Clarinetitus". It takes practice, and a broken in reed to cure. Keep practicing!!
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Author: stuart
Date: 1999-05-12 22:56
play looooong tones and meditate on what you hear. Don't judge yourself, just LISTEN and keep playing.
Then try basic scales very, very, slow. In eighths and in triplets. Triplets develope another side of your tone (hard to believe?)
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Author: Henk Raven
Date: 1999-05-13 08:06
You are playing on the biggest Van Doren mouthpiece B46 (2.06mm)which has also very long layer. This is not really a friendly beginners mouthpiece. One of the things you could do is try a easier smaller mouthpiece with a harder reed. For instance a Selmer C#(1.8mm)with reed 3 or 3 1/2.
Your mouthpiece is compareble with a Selmer F ! with an extra long layer.
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