 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Anna
Date: 2000-06-19 00:09
Does anybody know what key they bass clarinet is in? Are there any half sized bas clarinets?
These are some of the questions I have. I am a 5th grader. I started clarient and played for a year, and I want to try bass clarient. Is a 5th grader big enough to play? Are there any tips for playing that I should know? I am teaching myself. Thanks you, anybody who answers. My email is ACME1988....
How thick do reeds get, anyway? I havea 3 right now, but how hihg do they go?
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Author: Kontragirl
Date: 2000-06-19 02:39
I played bass clarinet in fifth grade...I was a little thing too (still am, and I play contra). I guess an alto clarinet is a half sized bass clarinet, but it's not an option for a fifth grader (in most places). As for playing bass clarinet I don't recommend it until you get into at least 7th grade. It's big, heavy, takes lots of air, and is frustrating. If you think you could only handle half a bass, stick on clarinet until you can handle it, or maybe try alto sax, sax is really fun.
I play on a 3.5 and 4's, but they get as thick as you want if you're good with a reed knife and make your own (it's fun). I think 4.5 is the standard for what stores will carry, but 5's are not impossible to get. But who cares? If you sound good on a 3, then stick with it.
Good luck and have fun!
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-06-19 02:40
Anna,
Bass clarinets are almost always in Bb. A half-sized bass clarinet is the regular Bb clarinet - probably what you're already playing. Clarinets make low sounds by being long. They don't work like violins, which can make the same basic note even if they're smaller.
Your hands are probably too small for most bass clarinets, but you might want to try one out anyway.
Reed hardness is not exactly the same as thickness. Reeds generally go up to a 5, but some manufacturers have harder reeds than others. The number on the reed (hardness) has nothing to do with how good you are, but everything to do with the kind of mouthpiece you're using.
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Author: SusieQ
Date: 2000-06-19 14:11
Play your Bb soprano for a few more years, and then if you want to try bass, go for it. The more soprano you play will only make you a better bass player in the future. Most schools will provide you with a bass clarinet around the 7th grade. I have been playing bass clarinet for many years and I still pick up my soprano once in a while. Bass clarinet can be a lot of fun. Good luck.
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Author: Amber
Date: 2000-06-19 18:01
Go ahead and try it! Never hurts to try something new!! But what can hurt it not playing your Bb. Thats what happened to me. The more you practice and play on your Bb, the better you will play on bass. Plus bass parts don't get that interesting or challening until the end of high school or later!!
Thats what happened to me. I didn't practice Bb enough and I got WAY behind in my music developement. Luckily I got a good teacher and am working my butt of to get up to the standard for my age. SO what ever you decide...KEEP PRACTICING!!! IT IS IMPORTANT!!
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