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Author: Byron
Date: 2009-01-30 16:19
Yes, I need some info on a composite bass for marching band here in Texas.
We have been using the Selmer I think it's 1430P series, but the last few have come in very poor quality, bad welds, and very soft key metal. Any ideas about other brands in composite with a unibody?
Thanks for your help.
Byron
Byron Gifford
Austin TX
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2009-01-30 18:24
The current Yamaha YCL221 seems to be the most highly-regarded plastic one-piece-body bass clarinet on the market these days. I've played one and was favorably impressed.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-01-30 20:27
Some Vitos have a lyre attachment built into the crook socket (like Selmer saxes), and the middle joint can be clamped solid making the body one-piece.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2009-01-30 20:28)
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Author: davyd
Date: 2009-01-31 02:26
Er, why would you want bass clarinets on the marching field in the first place? Maybe for looks? When I was in HS, all the double reed and low woodwind players were in the flag line.
Post Edited (2009-01-31 02:26)
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Author: pewd
Date: 2009-01-31 02:59
reality is that we do march basses in texas. marching band is a big deal around here. you can like it, or not like it, but that won't change the fact that we have hundreds of kids marching bass clarinets in this state each fall. i've seen as many as 12 in one single marching band.
the selmers are junk - they fall apart in marching conditions. quickly. lyre attachments fall off. keys bend when you simply look at them crosseyed.
the yamaha's seem to hold up the best in marching conditions. but i can't say i really like any of the ones i see in use - its a real pain to teach bass students during the fall , numerous mechanical issues.
you will need some spares. for every 3 bass's you march, you really need 4 instruments. one will always be in the shop during marching season.
if you're going to tmea in a few weeks ask around - see what the other directors are using.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2009-01-31 12:58
No bass clarinet will be audible in a marching band. Even Eb clarinets can barely be heard.
Given that, you should get the most durable ones available, and consider marching them without reeds.
Bundy Resonite clarinets are designed for abuse. When I was in the West Point Band, the entire section used them for all outdoor gigs, even in sub-zero weather, and they always worked perfectly. In particular, the keys are (or at least used to be) the stiffest and most durable I've ever seen, and the plastic body stayed the same no matter what the temperature.
Linton basses are (or used to be) Bundy stencils.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Grabnerwg
Date: 2009-02-01 22:43
Paul says
<<reality is that we do march basses in texas. marching band is a big deal around here. you can like it, or not like it, but that won't change the fact that we have hundreds of kids marching bass clarinets in this state each fall.>>
All due respect, but even if a practice is done, that doesn't mean it's a smart thing to do.
Bass clarinets are extremely susceptible to damage due to the delicacy of the key mechanism vs. the size and weight of the instrument.
Here's another thing to think about. If you are using a bass clarinet in the marching band, don't expect it to play well in concert season.
I have maintained bass clarinets for several high school districts in the past, and the bass clarinets used in marching needed repair every year. They eventually became to worn to be able to put it in good enough adjustment to play adequately in the concert band.
Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com
World Class Clarinet Mouthpieces
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Author: pewd
Date: 2009-02-01 23:58
bass clarinets are not going to be deleted from marching bands. i didn't say it was a good idea, or that i agreed with it - but it is a reality which i (and other teachers in this state) have to deal with.
as walter said, they are very easily damaged. they need maintenance every 4-6 weeks during marching season, if not sooner. they get bent, stepped on, dropped onto metal bleachers, dropped and fall through the bleachers impacting the concrete 15 feet below, snapped in half, snapped into more than 2 pieces, rained on, snowed on etc. screws fall out and land in the mud and get lost. lyres snap off, pads and cork tear and fall out, kids spill sticky soft drinks on them. marching band is a hostile enviroment for clarinets of all sizes.
many schools maintain 2 sets of instruments - plastic for marching, a good professional wood one for concert band.
what is needed for marching use are brands/models that can be ordered in quantity from the music stores, not off an auction site, and will hold up for a semester of heavy use before having to go into the shop. if they can last 3-4 years before having to be totally replaced, all the better.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Geirskogul
Date: 2009-02-02 00:06
Speaking of marching basses, is there a place to buy replacement neck straps. A student here was using a saxophone strap instead of the two-hook bass clarinet strap, and broke off the top ring.
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Author: Cosmicjello
Date: 2009-02-02 01:02
I've been really impressed with the quality coming from Jupiter in the past few years.
I would seriously consider this instrument.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2009-02-02 07:16
> Speaking of marching basses, is there a place to buy replacement neck
> straps. A student here was using a saxophone strap instead of the
> two-hook bass clarinet strap, and broke off the top ring.
I have the Micro Bass Clarinet Strap - cheap, and does a decent job.
--
Ben
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2009-02-02 13:24
I like the Ray Hyman tenor sax straps (I believe they're a Selmer/Rico product?), available from many sources.
Post Edited (2009-02-02 13:25)
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Author: blazian
Date: 2009-02-03 02:23
I like the newer models of Jupiter basses as well. The only issue I have with marching with one is that it's just that much longer and a tiny bit heavier. I march with a Bundy all the time. I actually own my own and use the school's. We don't have any problems with ours at all though I agree that some keywork is pretty flimsy. My school's policy is "you break it, you buy another one" so as long as the price is the same it would be ok to get a Jupiter instead right?
Oh and I've seen schools in here in Texas march low C basses and even contraltos too, though not nearly as much anymore. One school had ALL low C basses. I tried doing both and they were a bit awkward to balance, the low C bass more so.
- Martin
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Author: Tony Beck
Date: 2009-02-04 00:51
Davyd, You are probably right about bases not being heard, but I marched every year ('68 through '72), right up the road from you at Loudoun County HS. Carried a low D bass. We mostly doubled the low brass parts, so probably didn't add much, but we had fun. At the annual Va. Band Day, UVA vs VPI, there were always lots of basses on the field.
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Author: NBeaty
Date: 2009-02-04 02:45
I would also say there's no point to marching bass clarinets. I'd also argue that there's no point to marching woodwinds much at all.
I'm also from Texas, and understand that it's just a part of the game of high school band. I don't know if it's feasible to supply them with cheap soprano clarinets for marching season? Would be a good idea in general, as well as being easier to find decent clarinets that will stay functional.
The best recommendation would be legere reeds for marching. Kids use the same reeds all season anyway, might as well have them sound decent for the duration.
Good luck!
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Author: Michelle
Date: 2009-02-05 22:08
I marched a bass clarinet one year. I found that the Vito's are built like a tank and I would probably go with them for marching, keeping the Selmers and other more delicate basses for concert band. I would also invest in GOOD neckstraps that are more comfortable to wear and secure in holding the instrument. If you are constantly setting them down in the grass or on bleachers, I might even invest in some bass stands for breaks. They could be lined up in the front or wherever the rest of the equipment goes.
Good luck.
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