The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: S.Koumas
Date: 2001-01-05 18:08
Hi, Just wondering if anyone could help!?!?
Well basically, i have been playing Bass for about 6 months and as mine is in need of repair im borrowing one at the moment.
The problem is, when i play mine, i never double lip and it sounds fine, but when i play this new one, i have to double lip or the tone is completly off!?!
Can anyone tell me the proper way to play bass so i can chose one or the other as it is starting to hurt my mouth!
Anyway, Thanxs in advance
S.Koumas
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Author: Dave Spiegelthal
Date: 2001-01-05 19:04
Bass clarinet embouchure is essentially similar to the soprano clarinet embouchure, but somewhat more relaxed and less tight (not as loose as a saxophone embouchure, however). Also, it is VERY important to keep the mouth cavity and throat well open, and always have good, solid diaphragm support. If you are forced to play double-lip on a particular bass clarinet to get it to sound, then something is very wrong! Either the mouthpiece has problems, or the instrument, or both (maybe even reeds that are unsuitable, too). Have an experienced player look at and try out your current setup before you get too obsessed with your embouchure. Learning the bass clarinet is hard enough without having to adjust your embouchure for every different horn!
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Author: Ken Rasmussen
Date: 2001-01-06 05:02
I've never tried a double lip embouchure, but it sounds as if it might favor a softer reed/mouthpiece combination. Have you tried your own mouthpiece and reed with the other horn?
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Author: graham
Date: 2001-01-06 16:38
You don't need a double lip embouchure. Try putting a little more mouthpiece in the mouth (remember it is bigger so should feel distinctly bigger in the mouth). You may be playing a little too close to the tip of the mouthpiece and squashing the reed against the facing. When you want to play quiet, force youself to keep the embouchure open and let the air stream do the work.
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