 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Bani
Date: 2004-11-08 08:05
Does anyone play the bass clarinet in a church setting? Please tell of your experience (some tips on how to do it). I've searched the archives but can't find any info.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2004-11-08 12:47
A bass clarinet played in church should sound just fine if played like in any other performance venue--right notes, in tune, musically, etc. Or were you asking for specific music suggestions or recommendations?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-11-08 13:07
A very good place to play ! I have played [free] in several ch orchs, on bass, alto cl [and sax] Bb and C sops, whatever may be needed. Some perfs were much like small bands with a few strings. For me , its a bit like a chamber orch or a cl choir, very exposed, near perfect intonation/phrasing and attention required, most music is quite simple tho. I, and others [a variety of insts], have also played [solo] with piano/organ accomp. , the perf I enjoyed most had a jazz "flavoring" on bass cl in the chalameau , more relaxed, and I believe the ch choir enjoyed it's unusual character the most. I rec'd a number of "kudos" , and still do every now/then . Try it, it is rewarding here and possibly "above" . Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarinetwife
Date: 2004-11-08 13:43
Yes, a chamber setting is a natural place to use bass clarinet in church. If you have a treble instrument or two, a duet or trio can be a nice, meditative point in a service. Depending on the style of piano playing, you might also be able to noodle along with a bass line. If you are playing with a choir, you might even help fill out the tenor or bass section on a choir piece. I do this with the tenors sometimes even on my Bb soprano. You may occasionally find a cello, bass, or bassoon part to play as well. Have some fun "playing around" at rehearsal and see what seems to work in your particular setting.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: allencole
Date: 2004-11-08 17:21
I play bass clarinet in church on a monthly basis. As the only person who owns a bass instrument, I generally play bassoon or cello parts, or read the bass line from the hymnal.
Special music which has orchestra parts will often have a bass clarinet part. If not, there will be a bassoon and/or a cello part which can be transposed. Tuba and third trombone parts can also be good choices, and require the same transposition as bassoon & cello.
When asked to play a solo, I usually play soprano clarinet rather than bass, but there's no reason why you can't find something to play on bass. If playing in an orchestra for a choral work, you will often find some find solo opportunities in the context of the cello parts.
It is a terrific instrument to play, and I find that audiences are frequently impressed with both its sound and appearance, often stopping by after the performance to ask about the instrument. It has good projection for a live room, but the tone isn't as overbearing as a low brass or a bari sax.
The only suggestion that I would have for you is to begin learning to transpose music from concert key bass clef, which is what most bass instruments read. You'll find that it generates a lot of playing opportunities.
I would also encourage you to learn all of your major scales pronto, because it's not unusual to find yourself playing in a LOT of sharps and flats.
You'll also find that it's relatively easy to arrange trios or quartets for instruments by transposing parts directly from the hymnal.
Allen Cole
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JamesE
Date: 2004-11-08 18:46
I am playing the bass clarinet in church both as a solo (piano accomp.) and as a melody line for the youngsters bell choir. This last makes a very interesting combination.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: bob49t
Date: 2004-11-08 20:01
Yep, bass clarinet in church is a wonderful choice. In our cathedral I've done unaccompanied Bach (cello), duets, trios, and solo with piano. As Allen says the repertoire for 'cello/bassoon is a great start. Three Songs by WG Still (bluesy, bayou) for clarinet and piano are wonderful played on clarinet (esp no 1). Some of the Vaughan Williams six studies in English Folk Song (orig for cello and piano) are great.
Accessing the Bass Clarinet Group in Yahoo Groups may give you a repertoire list.
I'm trying to introduce the bass clar as a solo instrument in its own right for every recital I'm asked to do. Again I've had the same response as Allen regarding the appearance and sound of the bass clarinet. Also, unless you tell people, they automatically assume its a sax with its upturned bell !
The mellowness and ease of playing in all ranges gives the bass that extra something when coupled with the resonant acoustic of a church. The dynamic range of the bass is terrific in church and playing arpeggiae (?sp) sound like a chord fading into the rafters !! Sorry - carried away again !
Go on - promote that bass ! You are not alone.
BobT
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bani
Date: 2004-11-09 01:28
Dear all,
Thanks very much for all your wonderful and expert opinions. Please let me just explain my situation.
I belong to a Catholic charismatic prayer group which holds prayer meetings (inside a church) once a week (Wednesdays) except when we have a healing mass on the first Wednesday of the month.
My wife and I have been with the choir for years now as vocalists. Most of the music is charismatic (ala Don Moen) with some traditional church songs. Over a year ago I begun taking lessons on the Bb clarinet and was hooked. (The urge came so suddenly I can’t explain it. Why I chose the clarinet among all other instruments at that time, I still can’t explain that either)
Recently I begun practicising (with clarinet) with our choir which consists of strings (two guitars with amplifiers, an electric guitar, and a bass guitar also with amplifier) and keyboard. (At one time we had a soprano sax and a violin).
I found that if I stick to the music sheet and when I play below the staff (as has been recommended by some in this forum) the Bb gets drowned out by the amplified strings (it just can’t be heard. I’ve thought of getting my own mic but haven’t done so yet). Because of this, I have resorted to improvisation by playing notes above the break (middle B to F) which allows the sound of the Bb to float above the strings (sort of flute-like). Sometimes it works, some times it doesn’t (at least it can heard). I’m not sure this is the proper way to play the Bb. Also I kind of like the mellow sound of the notes below the break.
Which brings me back to the bass clarinet. If I play the bass cl do you think it would solve the problem of being heard above the loud strings? Would a bass cl be suitable in such an ensemble?
Thanks again for all your help. God bless!
Bani
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ron b
Date: 2004-11-09 03:39
I've never had any difficulty being heard on either soprano, alto or bass clarinet. Please take that in a church setting context -- that we strive for a nice *blend* rather than featuring any particular instrument group. Our little 'pick-up' orchestra has diminished over the past several months. When we were at one time about fifteen or so players with piano, violins, 'cello, guitar, trumpets and reeds, folks would tell me they could hear the bass clarinet even when we've had as many as four to six trumpeters in our little outfit. We've been down to around eight or nine players lately so, with only one or two clarinets and, on occasion, no trumpets, I've been playing soprano exclusively. I've found through experience that the bass or alto clarinet is a welcome addition to any small ensemble as long as you have enough players to achieve a nice balance. Otherwise, think of duets, trios, etc., for 'special' numbers. Be flexible 
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarinetwife
Date: 2004-11-09 12:58
Bani, depending on the size of the building you may need a mic since you are playing with other instruments that are amplified, especially if the vocalists are miked. When I was in a contemporary group I was miked when I played with the guitars and bass and turned it off when I did something with the flute player or the piano. My current church is large, seats 1600, so the 7' acoustic grand is even miked and the choir has overhead choir mikes.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-11-09 14:52
Hi Bani - You have been given lots of good advice above, I will try to add a bit. When your instrumental ?friends? with high volume capability wont bring it down into a reasonable balance, and if you dont want to use amplification [I dont], then going up [1 or 2 octaves] in pitch, like jazzers/Dixielanders do, or playing it on saxes, soprano/alto, even oboe, will give you "that cutting edge" to explain balance to others. There have been times in comm. band when the conductor asks me for more volume on bass cl, my chalameau gets lost with the tubas, and my clarion can get swamped by the saxes, so I speak up [clearly] and say "I'm dancing as fast as I can", hoping a bit of humor will remove any complaining, but deliver the message. Just early morning thots, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2004-11-09 15:22
The wonderful thing about the bass clarinet is its rich deep tones. I played clarinet in church and in an international christian orchestra for many years and even once tried the bass clarinet with the group. I didn't stay with it because I felt I was so much better on Bb soprano and also that's what people were asking me to play. We used mics on all the instruments because the sound man wanted to blend the sound.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bani
Date: 2004-11-10 03:00
RonB, Thanks for your suggestion. That means I really have to try first and see how the bass cl would fit in. My gut feel is there should be no problem and they may even love it (depending on how well I play of course which is why I’m really working hard on it. I practice with both the Bb and the bass cl everyday no matter how busy I am. It’s fun)
Clarinetwife, our church should be about the same size as yours based on the sitting capacity and yes our vocalists are also micked up (boom mikes). Your experience indicates I really have to use a mic except when I go solo (haven’t done that yet but I may have to soon).
Don, your advice means I’m doing the right thing by playing above the break. I understand exactly how you feel (one small horn versus a bunch of amplified strings is hardly fair volume-wise, is it?). Like you I’d prefer not to use a mic if I can help it.
Brenda, I also love the “rich deep tones” of the bass cl. What you (and the others) said has made me consider playing both Bb and bass cl (alternately) at some point in the future. I can hardly wait for that time but for now I’ll stick with soprano.
Thanks again for all your inputs. Really appreciate.
God bless!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
