 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: PolyphonicKat
Date: 2003-05-09 06:20
I went to a very small school K-8th grade and was in the band starting in the 5th grade playing the b-flat clarinet, being that the school itself was small and mostly into basketball (boys and girls hs team have been state champs 2 yrs running) the band was VERY small.
However we had an abundance of clarinet players, and when I was in the 7th grade our newer band teacher decided that our 10 clarinet 5 flute 2 trumpet 1 coronet 2 sax 2 percussionist (thats all i can remember) needed something more so she got a bass clarinet from somewhere ( i don't remember maker or model or anything) and tried a few of us out on it.
I was 2nd clarinet at the time and pretty much the only one who was up to switching instruments, I was also excited of the prospect of being the only one of my instrument so my sound could be distinguishable (hopefully i didn't suck at it lol). It was scary though since I was like maybe 4ft 9 at the time and the bass clarinet was pretty much as tall as me. So for two years I played bass clarinet in the band and clarinet solos or duets.
Anyways, I've been playing my clarinet a lot more lately and have been missing the bass clarinet and thinking of saving back money to get one but I wanting suggestions on good student bass clarinets that aren't too pricey...
oh and how tall are they anyway (i've barely hit the 5ft mark 5 yrs later)
my story kinda rambled on sorry
Kat
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Author: Bass Clarinet
Date: 2003-05-10 09:00
I'm 5'3" and I tower over my bass clarinet, so you'll be fine.
Your story sounds a lot like mine...Yep..I was a short little 6th grader. I remember being taller than it, but not by much. I think when I stood, playing on a neck strap, it was maybe six inches from the ground.
I was lucky enough to find my bass clarinet on Ebay. $400 with a crappy case...I took it in for a check up, and the tech told me that I got quite a deal, and he begged me to fix up the case (I was working with him, so I had the know how). I guess it was just meant to be...
If you are patient, and if you know what you're looking for, you are likely to find someone selling an instrument for much less than it's worth.
As for brands for bass clarinets, I recommend Bundy (surprisingly). I have nothing good to say about Bundy Bb's, but most of the bass clarinets I've played are Bundys, and they're good, sturdy instruments for a good price. I'd say stay away from Vito. My school got a brand new Vito bass my junior year, and I was first in line for it. I wasn't that fond of it, but second chair was, so we did a switch-a-roo...if you will...and I got her old Bundy...After she found out her bass wasn't that great because it was out of adjustment, she wanted to switch back. But I didn't give it back because I would have had to charge her for the repair work I did on it.
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