 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ski
Date: 2007-07-31 20:01
I'm a 45 year old composer who's once again taking up the bass clarinet (last time I played was when I was 12). I've been experimenting over the past few weeks with mouthpieces (Fobes, Selmer, 2 different Vandorens) and reeds (Rico, Rico Royal, Vandoren, and a few no-namers) and ligatures to try to get the most "woody" sound out of my plastic (Bundy) clarinet. I've settled on the combination of Selmer C85/120 mouthpiece, Rico 2.5 reeds, and a Rovner ligature (don't know the model) and I'm getting that woody tone in the chalumeu, just what I wanted.
This combination of "mouthparts" :D along with practicing (with only what I gleaned from taking soprano clarinet lessons last year) has made it easier to achieve notes in the upper clarion register. But despite all my experimentation and efforts, when I start out playing clarion notes G and upward I can't seem to produce a focused note without first producing a "sub harmonic", as follows:
G, G#, A produce a sub harmonic @ 1 octave+maj 3rd lower
A#, B, and C produce a sub harmonic @ 1 octave+P4th lower
But if I play C (chalumeau) and hit the register key to jump to G, the jump is clean (when I get it right anyway LOL).
So, would this sub-harmonic-production indicate a problem with technique (embouchure), or is it an indication that perhaps I have a leak? Or is it somewhat normal?
I know I should take lessons so that I don't develop any bad habits, and also have the instrument evaluated by a tech, but I'd love to get some feedback before I do.
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Author: William
Date: 2007-08-01 14:43
Your basic mpc/reed/lig setup is good, however, I might suggest a #3 Rico--or much better (IMHO) a Vandoran #3.0 or Legere #3.25. A good reed is essential for those clarion notes to speak without the subtone you describe. An upgrade to a bass clarinet with a double register key mechanizm would also make those "problem" notes more responsive (G#5 & A5), but I have had 7th grade students pick up a Bundy bass clarinet and play those notes almost with their first attempt (switching from Bb, that is). They used Selmer mpc's with #3.0 reeds and were told not to bite and just "blow evenly and steady, and tongue normally". No mention of specific embouchure or "those high notes are difficult". They just went for it naturally as if playing their soprano clarinets and most discovered that playing the bass clarinet was fun and rather easy as most middle school band arrangements do not challenge the basses. Their "challenge" was in the scale warm ups played every day during which they played the same scales required of the soprano clarinets, including the "high" notes--diatonic, thirds and arpeggios.
So, have your Bundy checked for leaks and after that, practice as if you were still playing your "little" clarinet. Use plenty of steady air and raise the back of your tongue as if imitating a cats hiss. That will help accellorate the air in your mouth toward the tip of your reed and help the response of the clarinon notes. G#5 & A5 are problem notes for most bass clarinetists no matter how "professional" their instrument (mine is a Buffet low C Prestige model 1193-2), but with a little practice, even a virtual beginner with a "starter" instrument can learn to master them. Keep the faith and good luck with your bass--it can be a lot of fun.
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Author: Ski
Date: 2007-08-01 19:57
Thank you for your reply William. Much appreciated. On the topic of reeds, indeed I'm working my way up to a 3. Started on 2's and can now play 2.5's, so that's progress, eh? ![[up]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley24.gif) 
Post Edited (2007-08-01 19:58)
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Author: Ski
Date: 2007-08-12 18:46
A bit of an update...
Haven't had a chance to take my bass to the shop yet, so I'm practicing until I get a chance to do so.
After spending quite a bit of time practicing my upper clarion--->altissimo notes with a variety of reeds and my new Selmer C85/120 mouthpiece, as well as embouchure adjustments, I'm still having trouble getting high A, B, and C to speak well in the clarion. Funny thing is that I can hit C# -- F in the altissimo just fine, but not the A, B, and C in the upper clarion.
Anyway, for the heck of it, I thought to once again try the (lousy sounding) old Bundy Signature #3 mouthpiece that came with the clarinet, just to see if it would make a difference. Sure enough, I can nail A, B, and C! What a great feeling! So that's the good news...
The bad news is that, aside from the mouthpiece having a lousy tone, to make matters worse it has developed an absolutely disgusting sulfur smell that no amount of washing/rinsing can get rid of.
It's only a $40-ish mouthpiece (cheap enough) so I wouldn't mind getting a replacement Bundy if for no other reason than to learn what it feels like to be able to achieve these higher notes with ease. But I'm concerned that perhaps I'll run into the same problem with the sulfur odor. Is this something that is likely to happen mostly with older mouthpieces? Or are new ones succeptible to this odor problem as well?
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