 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: RAMman
Date: 2004-04-12 16:51
Hello all...some bass advice please.
Does anyone have a stabilising fingering for A (first two fingers, register key on) for use on the bass?
I'm revising Daphnis and Chloe at present, and lots of phrases seem to start on it. I keep over pitching and getting the harmonic above.
The bass is set up fine..and I've tried experimenting but can't fix it.
Danny.
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Author: Grabnerwg
Date: 2004-04-12 18:54
RAMman -
I'm sorry if you think your bass clarinet is set up correctly, but obviously there is some sort of problem.
The most common problem people report with the bass clarinet is the inability to clearly and consistently attack the clarion notes F#, G, G#, A, and A#.
In every case the problem can be tracked down to:
1. A leak in the upper joint (even a pinhole leak causes problems)
2. Inappropriate mouthpiece facing
3. Embrochure problem
4. Reeds too soft
Most often its a combination of several of the above, making a quick solution to the problem difficult.
Be comforted that it is possible to play these notes securely, but it's not always an easy journey.
One of the reasons that I started doing repair work, years ago, was that I could not find a repairman who would take enough time to chase down and repair all the little leaks in my bass clarinet.
There is NO ONE mouthpiece facing/reed combination that is the answer. I use a fairly long facing (48) and a tip opening of 1.80, along with a good sturdy 3 1/2 Vandoren or Grand Concert.
Some mouthpieces just won't play these notes well. Have you tried other mouthpieces?
I test every bass clarinet mouthpiece I produce to see if it will play the "On the Trail" excerpt from the Grand Canyon Suite. If I can't play it easily and smoothly, that mouthpiece cannot go out.
Keep experimenting, there is an answer to you problems.
Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2004-04-12 20:43
As Walter says, the problem is probably a small leak. The most frequent source is misadjustment of the triple register key mechanism. Have a friend press on the lower register vent and throat Bb vents (both operated by the register key) as you play.
Also, it wouldn't hurt to run a dampened pipe cleaner through the register vent on the neck, to make sure it isn't partly clogged.
The next place to check is the seal at both ends of the neck -- the mouthpiece and where it fits into the body. Then the pads above the left middle finger. And then the solder joints in the neck and, if the neck has a tuning slide, whether that is leaking. (Buffet basses have a slot cut in the neck at the tuning slide point. If you play with the neck pulled almost all the way out, you may be leaving a bit of that slot uncovered.)
Have you checked whether the bottom is perfectly flat? Bass reeds often are warped down the center of the bottom. Is the reed high enough so it's not leaking at the corners?
Finally, a change in embouchure may help when you have to start on the A. Forget about a pointed chin and use the bassoonist's "Andy Gump" embouchure, with your jaw dropped down and back and your chin bunched up. You lose resonance, but gain stability.
Let us know how it goes.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2004-04-13 00:50
Hey Walter--I bought one. The mouthpiece may play it easily and smoothly---But I can't. ![[grin]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie5.gif) Bob A
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Author: Grabnerwg
Date: 2004-04-13 03:52
Bob -
The mouthpiece is just "one out of four".
Keep trying!
Walter
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Author: DezzaG
Date: 2004-04-13 04:20
Hey Walter, just a quick thankyou, I used your CX_BS Bass Mouthpiece and won the Australian National Band Championship Bass Clarinet Solo this Easter. Your work is trully great, the articulation was wonderful!
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