 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Kurt
Date: 1999-11-05 22:26
Well I got reeds and a strap for my "new" bass clarinet. I've started to play it and have no problem getting the lower register right down it Eb pretty nicely. However anything over the break is bad to nonexistent. I can manage B, C, D and Eb but after that it sounds like the instrument skips an octave. Any ideas? I've tried adjusting my eubasure (sp) with a little success.
Also, this is a pretty old instrument and has two register keys. The guy at the shop (who did play it OK above the break) said he thought that the extra one is for playing above D just over the break.
I'd love any help. Thanks
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 1999-11-06 00:56
If I read you right, there is a register key on the neck, correct? Being slightly knowledgeable re: DRK bass cl's, it sounds like when you try to go above clarion Eb, that both register key-pads are somewhat open, [the lower should be closed] and it jumps to the altissimo. Try putting a piece of masking tape on it and see what happens!. Don
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Author: bigcage
Date: 1999-11-06 11:10
Kurt: You are gonna love that bass clarinet, keep going, all things come to he who waits..... Try the Clarinet Corner Message Board for more tips on BScl. There is one discussion group devoted to BsCl.
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Author: Kurt
Date: 1999-11-06 15:09
So your saying that I should close the lower register key and open the upper one (yes it's in the neck) for E and above?
If I can get the upper registers to play as nicely as the lower one's all I can say is: "Where have you been all my life, bass?"
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 1999-11-08 19:06
Kurt -
The bass clarinet needs two register keys, one for the middle B up through Eb and another for E and above. Older instruments had two separate keys that you had to slide between. Current instruments have an automatic mechanism with a single key and a series of rods and levers to switch automatically.
These mechanisms are very difficult to keep in adjustment because there are so many different rods, levers and springs that have to reach from halfway down the lower joint all the way up to the neck. To make things even more complicated, the mechanism almost always has a third hole to make a good middle Bb.
Keeping all this in adjustment is not easy. In addition to the three pads and multiple levers, there are opposing springs in three different strengths, so that a small one is overpowered by a larger one, unless the larger one is itself overpowerd by an even larger one, or by your finger pressing on a lever.
The mechanism on your bass is clearly out of adjustment. It is nearly 100% certain that when you press the register key with your right ring finger down, the lower register vent opens properly and the upper register vent properly remains closed. That's why the notes from B to Eb are good.
When you raise your right ring finger, the lower register vent should close and the upper register vent should open. On your instrument, the lower register vent is 99% certain to be staying slightly open. Even a tiny leak will make the notes above Eb impossible to play. The way to tell is to have someone hold the lower register vent closed for you, or wedge it closed with a folded piece of cardboard. You will see that the notes above Eb play very nicely.
While you can adjust this yourself, and should learn to do so, the interplay is so complex (including, for example, making sure that flat springs slide smoothly along grooves in the wood, and that long rods are perfectly straight) that it would be best to go to a repair person who specializes in bass clarinets to get it set correctly and you will know how the instrument plays when properly adjusted.
Good luck.
Ken Shaw
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Author: SusieQ
Date: 1999-11-08 21:09
Kurt,
Ken is right. Have someone who knows bass clarinets look at it. I just had my old plastic Bundy looked at for some minor problems and I was also having a hard time playing above F. It was like a different horn when I got it back and all it needed was 3 pads replaced and a few adjustments. Have fun with your bass clarinet!
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Author: Kurt
Date: 1999-11-09 02:35
Thanks for the tutoral on register keys. Alas, my bass has two holes and two keys. No messy linkage, just messy old me to make it work right. I think, however, you made a good point about leakage. I probably should oil the keys, especially the register ones so they don't stick. Thanks
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Author: clived
Date: 2017-01-15 19:05
Hello,
I recently took up the bass clarinet, and am working on ‘Practical hints on Playing the Bass Clarinet’ by Arthur J. Nix.
I notice there are annotations of < R, L > and < RHD> beneath the staff on some etudes (e.g. Unit XI selected etudes 1 page 19), that don’t seem to be explained.
Could someone please explain their meaning?
Thanks,
Clive.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2017-01-15 22:34
R - right - e.g., use the right hand fingering
L - left - e.g., use left hand fingering
RHD - Right Hand Down
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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The Clarinet Pages
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