 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: swimclrnt15
Date: 2003-10-09 00:41
I am usually a Bb clarinet player but for our school musical "Ragtime" I am playing the bass clarinet. In the music, there is a low D, 4 ledger lines below the staff..and I don't know how to play it, because I know it doesn't exist on a regular clarinet....this seems like the only place online I can get information on this...also, I was wondering if anybody had any tips on how to switch between instruments...because I was having a really hard time with the bass, its gotten a little better, but could definately be even more so...so thank you for any help and advice!
Post Edited (2003-10-09 00:56)
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-10-09 00:44
yes ... you need a bass clarinet that goes down to low C (not E flat). You'll probably need to transpose these notes up the octave ... but consult the musical director first. As to quick changes ... nimble fingers and plenty of adrenalin.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2003-10-09 13:47
Christine -
If you don't need the low Eb, the standard practice is to drop the mouthpiece cap (maybe wrapped in your swab), or a shoe, or your hat, or a trumpet mute down the bell -- whatever gives you the right pitch.
Easier yet, ask your friendly neighborhood bassoonist, trombonist, cellist or bari saxist play the note.
Switching back and forth is hard at first. The only cure is practice. I find it harder to go from bass to Bb rather than the other way around.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-10-09 14:05
By Golly, Ken, you sure say it well! I can only add, again, if you dont need low Eb, find or make a tube, paper/cardboard/plastic, to fit in the bell, and tune in the D by its length, 6-9" ?? , then finger the Eb. In many musicals, the bass cl'ist is further burdened by a bari sax, if so, get a low A [BC's D!]. Handling a BC and sop Bb [or other smaller horn], using BOTH a neck strap and peg, I can safely hold the BC in my lap and play the Bb over it. Awkward, but OK for quick changing. Luck, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2003-10-10 04:19
Hi Christine,
I find that the cardboard tube inside a standard paper towell roll gives a good low D -- as long as you don't need the Eb as Ken mentioned above. It's also fairly easy to put in and remove.
An expensive (around $100) solution to the quick change is a bass clarinet stand. I have a Koenig and Meyer bass clarinet/bassoon stand that I set up "backwards," i.e., with the front of the instrument (instead of the back) resting against the stand. With the stand positioned in front of me, just to the side of my music stand, all I have to do to change is put my clarinet on its peg and then tilt the bass back toward me -- no need for a strap. (It's much easier to do than to describe, I find. Sorry.) You probably don't want to spend that much but perhaps your school owns a stand that would work.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2003-10-10 11:33
yes, i think a bass clarinet stand is something every bass clarinet player will eventually need.
about the low D, i guess like peolpe have said already, your clarinet is a low Eb which means you don't have that key. some nice solutions offered here if it is a slow tempo or a long note, but if it's fast then i suggest just not to play it or play it 1 octave higher if it doesn't sound too bad.
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