 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2009-06-10 22:10
I have a friend/relative contemplating a cl career. One of many questions arising is that of doubling, much the choosing of Eb sop. or bass [or lower] cls to become proficient in. All comments solicited and appreciated. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-06-11 02:20
I have an article about that on my website, I suggest they read it. Getting a symphony job in America is probably the most difficult job to get of anything. I learned both bass and Eb while in school, learned the repertoire for all the clarinets and practiced all of them. I have no regrets because I was able to audition for any job I wanted to and settled for one that I enjoy. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2009-06-14 13:46
"... or low and in the background?"
I'm puzzled that someone as erudite as David repeats this long-discredited canard about the (I assume) bass clarinet. Let me reassure him and everybody else that symphonic bass clarinet parts are neither always low nor "in the background." Bass clarinet, in many orchestras, is considered a solo instrument; often en dehors!
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2009-06-14 14:50
Larry - I tried to (possibly badly) paraphrase what I was told by the former bass clarinetist Phila. Orch who said to me after a concert when I congratulated him on a solo -
"There's no glory in Bass Clarinet".
on Eb the player is almost always in the hot seat and can be heard quite easily like the Piccolo, Principal Trumpet and the triangle.
I personally like the Bass Clarinet and do notice the solos.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: oliver sudden
Date: 2009-06-14 15:41
...out of the orchestra, though, there's an enormous amount of music for bass clarinet - in jazz or free improvisation or contemporary classical, for example, there are so many people doing amazing things with it. Which if you haven't decided that the future absolutely has to be orchestral should definitely be something to think about!
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Author: oliver sudden
Date: 2009-06-14 15:54
...Eric Dolphy from 4'30":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzqVXvwMHCU
And in that company it might seem or indeed be a bit hubristic but nonetheless herewith while stocks last a link to one of my own meagre efforts (my own as in I'm playing it, I didn't write it of course):
http://www.sendspace.com/file/ak1yec
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-06-14 16:47
Well, as a "bass clarinet" player in a major orchestra I must agree with Larry B who is a retired bass clarinet player in another major orchestra. I am considered, and I consider myself, to be a "solo" player and my salary reflects that image, nothing like a principal though. When I'm playing bass clarinet I'm a soloist, when I'm not than I'm a section player, playing 3rd or 2nd, so the position is two parts in that regard. In orchestra's with only three players in the section the bass clarinetist is often the assistant principal as well, but not always. It depends on the section and the tradition of the orchestra.
I do have to agree though, that and Eb player is on the "hot seat" more often because of the nature of that instrument and how it projects in the orchestra but the bass clarinet is used much more often over all. I would venture to guess that I play bass clarinet in 3/4 of our concerts, more of less. The Eb is probably used in 1/4 at most depending on the repertoire of any given season. Now that's just an educated guess based on my 45 years in the BSO, and going strong by the way. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2009-06-14 18:35
"There's no glory in Bass Clarinet".
Reminds me of the late, great comedian Rodney Dangerfield. whose trade mark was the line: "I don't get no respect." In fact he got lot of respect (and pecuniae). Could it have been the always droll and entertaining Ron Reuben, who, perhaps, David took too literally?
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2009-06-15 04:40
There are many possibilities, not only playing in an orchestra, even when "doubling". It's a matter of choosing a direction, which can be many directions, and the other is to create something vs. fitting into an already existing place (which could mean auditioning). It's nice to figure out what path you want to take.
For choosing a "double" I recommend going with the one they want to play the most. For example I definitely do a lot of things because I play bass clarinet, that maybe I wouldn't do if I only played soprano clarinet, but that has nothing to do with the reason I chose it. I simply wanted to play this instrument.
Regardless of what you choose you can try to play in many different groups and different types of music. Depends on the type of person you are but I think this is a lot more interesting than only playing in one group. You can play in small groups of classical, folk, jazz, improvisation, etc. etc.
For bass clarinet, you can find a lot of things if you are only a little active. Most (who don't play this instrument) are passive and are not really interested in finding things but maybe they think this is objective (it isn't).
Just some examples I found now:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZnPp-6ji-o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY0xBqp9ohk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CI66nNCic4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKOfhtkUEjk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwwMLUULl5s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iADGsGjczYg&feature=related
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2009-06-15 13:19
Many TKS, to David, Ed, Larry, Oliver and C B, [hope I didn't leave anyone out]. Good advice/help re: clarinet choices from all. My own "career" has been to explore some 5 of the cl family and 4 of the sax family, now mainly the Bb Sop and Bb [low Eb] bass for retirement. Again thanx, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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