 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jaysne
Date: 2007-10-13 23:22
I just checked the full range of my Leblanc bass for tuning issues. Much to my surprise and delight, almost all of the notes from low Eb up to high C were
dead-on perfect!
The only problem notes were in the middle of the staff: B, C, C# and D. They were each between 15 and 20 cents sharp.
Can anyone recommend a way of bringing these notes down, outside of relaxing the embouchure? Thanks.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2007-10-14 00:33
Hi Jaysne - Does your Leblanc bass have two register vents?, one on the neck AND one near the top of the upper joint? [plus the Bb tone hole]. The notes you mention are the same ones which are much improved in tone and response by Double Register Keying, which is usually only available on the "top-of-line" basses. We have discussed this subject many times, and those thread-posts are in our Search archives. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Alexis
Date: 2007-10-14 07:19
You can temper those notes by how much you open the register the key
I think you can get quite adept at doing that at speed
alternately, for more isolated notes you can experiment with the closing the thumbs keys slightly to bring the pitch down
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Author: InTheBassment
Date: 2007-10-17 00:32
I'm a bass clarinet emphasis (music ed major) i've always had issues with those notes. my teacher has told me to do passages that go over the break and think about moving "through" the notes intead of "to" them. don't think about leaping up over the break, this can cause tension (especially in bass clarinets), and make sure you give MORE air on those notes. the tendency is to use less air to avoid squeaking (another problem i used to have in that range). don't be afraid to make some nasty sounds for a little while, and always practice with a tuner.
do your upper and lower joints come apart (some basses do, some don't)? if they do, try pulling out at the middle joint... you may have to lip up the lower octave, but it's easier to lip up than down... especially on bass
basses are touchy instruments... you may need to see a tech- pads on the lower joint tend to be hell on a bass... finally longtones are your friend!!!! get out a tuner and play lots and lots of longtones over the break.
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Author: Gandalfe
Date: 2007-10-24 22:29
That's why I moved to a Selmer Prestige 67 bass clarinet. Effortless sound, top to bottom. Since I just started bass clarinet last year, I didn't want to forego all my other instruments while I struggled to get a decent sound from the bass clarinet. My bass clarinet buddies who have tried my instrument just can't believe it. But they heard me go from squeaking clarion notes to smooth sound in all ranges.
Oh and the Walter Grabner LB mouthpiece didn't hurt either. :o)
Kessler Music in Las Vegas found me the instrument that had been used for the Selmer shows at NAMM and such. So this lovingly prepared, tweaked horn came to me for half the list price. But still, it was about the price of a car for many people. I say this not to brag, but to provide info to my friends who might be in the market.
Jim and Suzy
Pacifica Big Band
Seattle, Washington
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