 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: kfeder@hotmail.com
Date: 2004-11-28 00:25
I play Clarinet in an amateur klezmer band. Someone mentioned that I might want to check out a bass clarinet. Can I use the same music that I use for the regular clarinet or does everything need to be transposed? Is it hard to get used to the finguring on a bass? Can the bass play the melody line? Ken
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2004-11-28 01:14
Speaking as someone who has only tried the bass clarinet a few times, I would say the answer to your question about using the same music as Bb soprano is a guarded yes -- certainly, the key is the same, the notation is the same, and the fingering is the same. I found it surprisingly easy to play the bass. I had imagined that because of the size difference, the "feel" would be vastly different from a Bb soprano. But in my experience, it's not all that different.
Of course, the bass can play melody line! But the reason I said a "guarded" yes is that the bass usually serves a different function in an ensemble than the Bb soprano, and more often plays what you would call an accompaniment (bass) line.
I hope some of the bass players on the board will share their insights about this with you.
Susan
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Author: SGTClarinet_7
Date: 2004-11-28 02:38
I think playing bass clarinmet would be great, although I haven't heard much klezmer before. Just like Susan said, it plays the same notes, yada yada yada, the biggest difference is that its sound is deeper than the B flat. I think the deeper sound would give your group a different, maybe even fuller sound. Give it a try and see what the other mwembers of the group think, and then let us know how it goes and what you think!
Matthew
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Author: Contra
Date: 2004-11-28 02:40
The bass clarinet is just pitched one octave lower than the soprano. This means no transposition and no changes in fingering. The bass plays melody lines great and can add a lot to a band's overall sound. I'm not too familiar with klezmer music, so I can't really say how a bass would sound with it. I'd recommend that you at least try it. It's a great and valuable experience.
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Author: DougR
Date: 2004-11-28 03:57
I'd explain it this way: the upper register of the bass clt. is in the ballpark range of a viola, I think. No reason on earth why you couldn't play melody lines, esp. solo melody lines, just as a viola would play them. The lower end of the bass clarinet would lend itself to counter-melodies and playing bass notes, a la string bass or electric bass--indeed, in the 20s and early 30s, bass sax was used instead of string bass in recording studios because the recording technology couldn't really pick up string bass--and I can definitely hear you oomping away on 1 and 3 with a bass clarinet in a klezmer ensemble!
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2004-11-28 08:14
All the above information is good - additionally, the bass clarinet extends down(depending on which model) to either Eb or low C. You also may find some reference to Klezmer playing on the Yahoo Bass clarinet pages. The only reference I have to bass Klezmer is a loose one, and is that Fiddler on the Roof, although having some great soprano klez style solos, only uses the bass in two numbers and for low range atmospheric purposes. I always look forward to this show - depressive though it is - for the music is great and first clar gets a chance to really show off !
Have a go with bass - we need to promote the bass as much as poss ! - but the ensemble may have to alter parts in order that the lower notes aren't covered by other instruments and the group becomes imbalanced i("bottom heavy".)
BobT
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2004-11-28 10:46
Giora Feidman and David Krakauer use bass clarinet in their klezmer music. I don't know much about Feidman, but I think Krakauer uses bass clarinet in about one or two tracks on every CD he has and he is excellent. Maybe you can listen to them.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2004-11-28 13:59
To state it clearly--the bass clarinet and the Bb soprano clarinet are both Bb instruments. Thus, no transposing needed to play Bb soprano music--just a great deal of practice and expertise. The fingering is the same as the Bb soprano.
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Author: kfeder@hotmail.com
Date: 2004-11-28 14:57
All of the above posts have been really helpful.....I think I may look into renting a bass clarinet to see if I like the feel of it and to see how it sounds with some of the music I have been playing with the klez group.
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