 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: BassClari90
Date: 2002-05-04 11:40
Hi! I am a beginner bass clarinet student, and I need information on how to reach those high notes above E when ever I play them they always squek or make a weird noise, and sometimes I can't even blow them out. I have a problem playing high D (in the staff). I can play C and B but are they supposed to sound so kind of dull and shallow because I know that on the B flat Soprano clarinet they sound nice and rich but on my bass clarinet they don't sound quite like they do on the soprano clarinet. I need some advice if this is how it is supposed to sound or do I need to get it repaird or something like that. Thanks
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Author: Dan Borlawsky
Date: 2002-05-04 12:13
Check these things:
Be sure you're completely covering the "vent" hole in the E/B key (first finger left hand). Opening that vent is only for the altissimo register. Also, don't pinch or bite the reed; any pressure you apply should be from the upper teeth on the top of the mouthpiece. One more thing: since this instrument has a larger mouthpiece than the B-flat clarinet (I'm assuming you began on the B-flat), you will need more mouthpiece in the mouth than on B-flat clarinet.
Good luck!
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Author: Clairgirl
Date: 2002-05-05 05:52
I studied bass this semester and the only thing that has made me better is playing experience and practicing. At first I couldn't get any of the notes over the break because my voicing was way off. Now I still squeak occasionally but I can just assume it is the reed most of the time! (; It seems obvious but the more you play the easier getting these notes will be. Good luck!
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Author: William
Date: 2002-05-06 22:51
I have been having good success playing upper register and altissimo notes using a Legere bass clarinet reed #4.0 strength on my VanDoren B45 mpc. I have a new Buffet Prestige model 1193-2 that I am trying to get used to and have not yet discovered what reed/mouthpiece set up works best. But the Legere reeds, while they do not have the "cane" sound, they seem to respond evenly in all registers--and being able to play the notes half the battle (OOPS!!!!--I mean FUN) of playing bass clarinet. Hope this helps a bit--Good Clarineting!!!!
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2002-05-07 05:50
I have found that the Fibracell synthetic reeds work well on bass.
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Author: William
Date: 2008-12-04 19:56
As an update to my 2002 posting, I am now using a crystal Pomarico Jazz * mpc with Legere #3 reeds and am having little difficulty articulating or slurring up to those "problem" G#5 & A5 notes. Notes on up to C7 speak easily with an occassional D7 & E7 when my lip is good. The tone quality of the P Jazz model is not at all harsh nor "buzzy", but rich, full and stronger than any my hard rubber mpcs. And, FWIW, my Buffet Prestige 1193-2 is still (Dec 2008) playing wonderfully in both orchestral and wind ensemble settings.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2008-12-04 20:08
I've always found it easier to play altissimo on bass clarinet than on soprano clarinet, regardless of what mouthpiece/reed setup is used. Analogous to saxophones, wherein altissimo is easier on the tenor than on alto. I believe it's because when we play up high, we're "subdividing" the vibrational length of the reed and, the larger the reed is to begin with, the more cane (or plastic or whatever) there is to subdivide, thus making the altissimo easier to achieve.
Although there are some good suggestions above, please do NOT think you need any sort of synthetic reed or a particular type of mouthpiece to play up high on the bass clarinet --- that is simply not true. A well-regulated instrument, a decent mouthpiece and a reed that's not too soft, and using the half-hole (for some notes) with a solid embouchure and lots of breath support will get you there just fine.
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Author: Fishamble
Date: 2008-12-04 21:59
Hi,
as a recent convert from Bb to bass, I would wholehearted support what Clairgirl said. I found that working my way up to the higher notes from a B (treble clef middle line) made it easier to get to them safely, and then it was a matter of gaining experience of the 'feel' of the notes so that later I could play any of them straight off. I had particular frustration with the G just above the staff.
Good luck and stay with it. The bass is incredibly satisfying to play. And I'm confident you'll get to a point where you're happy with this register quickly.
David.
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