 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Joel Clifton
Date: 2002-01-24 01:37
Which kind is the one usually played? I think it's the one with the low Eb, but I'm not sure. Is there any other way a bass clarinet is different than the soprano Bb clarinet that I should know?
And anyone know if the"Bundy 3 mouthpiece" is good, and is Selmer Bundy a good company?
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-01-24 02:06
Good observation, basically the low E flat key is in lieu of Bass Clarinets being made in A (as far as I'm aware they are as rare as hen's teeth).
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Author: Forest Aten
Date: 2002-01-24 02:27
Joel,
The bass clarinet to Eb is the most common in school bands. Some student instruments will be limited to the E. Most professionals use a bass clarinet that has extended range to the lower C. Many high school bands purchase at least a few bass clarinets to low C, if the budget allows.
Selmer is a company that manufactures clarinets. Bundy is one of their student level instruments. The Bundy 3 mouthpiece is probably the "stock" mouthpiece delivered with the instrument.
Of course, the bass clarinet sounds one octave lower that the Bb soprano clarinet. The tone holes are so large that they require keywork with a pad so that the holes can be closed. (fingers are simply not large enough to do the job) This is called a "closed hole" system.
Forest Aten
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2002-01-24 12:31
I would be surprised to find anyone currently manufacturing a bass clarinet that doesn't go down to E-flat. I wouldn't suggest getting an instrument that didn't because the bass clarinet parts in many band compositions, for example, have low E-flats written in them.
As has been mentioned, it is possible to get a bass clarinet that goes down to low C, but, for the most players, this added range is unneeded.
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2002-01-24 13:22
Every bass clarinet manufactured since probably the 1920s or so goes to low Eb, other than the low-C professional models mentioned above. Low-E bass clarinets are antiques. Selmer Bundy bass clarinets are decent student instruments, comparable to the Leblanc Vitos in overall quality but having a much different feel. The Bundy 3 mouthpiece is actually a very good stock mouthpiece --- although the facing is rarely right, the material of the blank is good quality and the interior design and dimensions are very good --- it lends itself well to refacing. Other than the low Eb, bass clarinets are fingered identically to Bb soprano clarinets, although some of the preferred altissimo fingerings are different. However, in terms of response, intonation, tone production, embouchure, etc. the bass clarinet is an entirely different instrument. Coming from playing soprano clarinet, it's best to approach the bass clarinet as if it were a new instrument that just happens to have the same fingerings.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-01-24 13:55
Very good commentary, Don, Dave et al, expresses my thots re: the bass cl.. I have loaned a LOW E Conn, about a 1940 vintage, with Double Register Keying!, to a mid-high [small] girl, which seems to be preferable for her because of its size and weight, havent heard any complaints. She was having a rough time with the school's plastic low Eb. I have found only a few low Eb's , and an occasional low D in community band music etc, so dont miss many of them!! Don
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