 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: kilo
Date: 2011-02-01 17:06
I've played clarinet for decades and have always had a desire to learn the art of the bass clarinet, one of those "before I shed this mortal coil" sort of conceits. I was recently asked if I'd like to play the fourth chair in "Kiss Me Kate" which is about 40% b.c. according to the director. The show opens in about a month and a half.
The local school is happy to lend me an instrument but . . .
is this a crazy idea? I've never considered the bass as just a bigger version of the soprano. It's not like the sax family! And while I'm a competent player, I'm no virtuoso by any means.
I guess I'm just thinking out loud here. I'll probably sign the instrument out on Thursday and start trying to learn its idiosyncrasies but some words of encouragement — or dissuasion — would really be appreciated. I've got a week to make up my mind.
Thanks for any help.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2011-02-01 17:49
Be prepared to using a lot more air than on soprano. At least this was what kept me worried most. The embouchure wasn't that much of an issue (I don't say it's easy no problem!), you'll get the hang of it soon; when you know sax and clarinets you'll know what it means to adapt.
Just do it. You can't ever tell if you haven't at least tried.
One word of caution, though: bass is addictive. Highly. :-)
--
Ben
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2011-02-01 18:26
Kilo -
It's possible, with two caveats.
First, you need your own mouthpiece, particularly with a school instrument. The ones worth having aren't cheap, but you only buy it once, and each time you play you'll get the reward of good tone and response. As I wrote this morning, your best bet is one from Grabner http://www.clarinetxpress.com/bass.html or Fobes http://www.clarkwfobes.com/clarinets_low.html. Commercial mouthpieces, such as the Selmer C*, can be OK, but they're very inconsistent and almost always need refacing.
Second, adjustment is critical. Basses are notorious for leaking and binding in the keys, especially the register key mechanism. Have the school bass checked over, even at your own expense. Then handle it like a baby. If you can't afford a stand, keep the case beside you with a thick towel or blanket on top and lay it down like it was fine crystal.
Ken Shaw
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Author: superson
Date: 2011-02-01 20:24
I've recently started to play a bass, it's amazing. It's not that different from a normal clarinet just a strange feeling at the beginning like your mouth, lungs and hands aren't big enough.
Its still amazing.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2011-02-01 20:33
I have a good article on my website, bass clarinet for dummies, it may give you some good ideas. Of course if the instrument is not in good shape, the mouthpiece is not good or you don't use a decent reed, nothing that I say will help you. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: davetrow
Date: 2011-02-01 21:41
I just found out last week how sensitive to handling a bass clarinet can be. After its latest tuneup by a really good tech, all of a sudden the old Selmer 9 I play on (it belongs to the local high school; I play in a community band that supports the music program there) started sounding horrible from the long B up to clarion D#. After much fiddling and false starts, I discovered that I had the neck rotated just a couple of degrees too far clockwise (to the left), which cause the neck register pad to stay open slightly on those notes even though the second bridge (from third finger right hand) is asking it to close.
But despite the tsuris, I agree with tictactux: the bass is addictive. I'm joining the local college symphonic wind ensemble just because they have a Buffet low-C that I'll be able to play (although not, unfortunately, take home for practice).
Dave Trowbridge
Boulder Creek, CA
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2011-02-02 05:04
>> After much fiddling and false starts, I discovered that I had the neck rotated just a couple of degrees too far clockwise (to the left), which cause the neck register pad to stay open slightly on those notes even though the second bridge (from third finger right hand) is asking it to close. <<
The best design for this linkage would be parallel to the body so turning the neck won't prevent anything from working. Some instrument are possible to correct/improve it relatively easily. Though some would need a lot of work to correct it. So when adjusting, if the linkage is not of the better design, best to consider the player's alignment of the neck and at least a little bit to the sides from there. The player should be able to align the neck angle that is more comfortable to them.
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Author: kilo
Date: 2011-02-02 10:49
Fantastic! All these points and suggestions are just what I was hoping for and have been extremely useful. I'll let you know how this project develops. A big "thank you" to everyone.
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2011-02-02 13:12
Three useful method books:
Rhoades, Etudes for Technical Facility for Alto & Bass Clarinet
Rhoades, 35 Technical Studies for Alto or Bass Clarinet
Voxman, Introducing the Alto or Bass Clarinet (Rubank)
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2011-02-02 14:29
Well-meaning advice, Lelia, but way off the mark. I find the Rhoades bass clarinet output panders to the mistaken idea that the bcl is a "harmony" instrument, doomed to playing "footballs" almost exclusively in the low register!
Having enjoyed a certain amount of success teaching bass clarinetists over the past half-century, my opinion is that one should use exactly the same study material for the the bass as one does for the "melody" clarinets (sarcasm intended)! This in addition to some discreet bass clarinet material such as the Bach cello suites -- in their original bass/tenor clef forms -- as well as orchestra studies: Drapkin, Strauss, Wagner et al.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2011-02-02 23:29
Along the lines of Larry's advice, my onw clarinet teacher (during the few years I took lessons in middle/high schools) was strictly a soprano clarinetist, he didn't even play bass clarinet (unfortunately for me, as it turned out) --- but the point is, he had me play all the same literature as soprano clarinetists. In fact I played Weber's 2nd Concerto on bass clarinet at the county and state solo festivals, which at that time (Medieval period) was considered somewhat daring. Now of course, bass clarinetists typically have much better equipment and playing soprano clarinet repertoire on the bass is a piece of cake.
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Author: Clarimeister
Date: 2011-02-03 04:34
To add to Lelia's suggestions of method books. If you ever do any orchestral work on bass I extremely, highly suggest and recommend you buy Michael Drapkin's Symphonic Repertoire for the Bass Clarinet books. A must have for all the nifty bass excerpts you may come across in orchestral playing.
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Author: justme
Date: 2011-02-03 13:49
Thanks for posting that again, Ken.
I posted that one before and thought it was amazing, but by the replies that I received by others, they didn't seem to agree...
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=330832&t=330714
Just Me
"A critic is like a eunuch: he knows exactly how it ought to be done."
CLARINET, n.
An instrument of torture operated by a person with cotton in his ears. There are two instruments that are worse than a clarinet -- two clarinets
Post Edited (2011-02-03 13:50)
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Author: Jaysne
Date: 2011-02-03 14:22
I think the answer to your dilemma is simple: take the thing home and practice. Practice a little longer each day. Each day should get a little easier. After a week, you'll know if you can cut it or not.
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Author: ann reid
Date: 2011-02-04 18:57
Do all current bass clarinetists use Klose? It was my transition from soprano to bass, and it was an excellent one. The duets in Klose when played with soprano clarinet on the upper part and the bass clarinet on the lower are performance worthy, and overall, you are ready for anything that can be thrown at you after you've gone through what Klose offers.
Just my opinion, of couirse.
ar
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Author: davetrow
Date: 2011-02-04 21:50
And then there's Sqwonk doing the Toccata and Fugue in D Minor:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Puui1jZ8Qg
I just wish the stands weren't in the way of watching their fingers!
Dave Trowbridge
Boulder Creek, CA
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2011-02-04 22:42
Oh yeah, Sqwonk rock. They're so refreshing, I bought both CDs.
Now sez one YouTube doesn't crank up sales.
--
Ben
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Author: justme
Date: 2011-02-05 00:44
I'll make it a clickable link for you, David.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Puui1jZ8Qg
What is that on their bells?
What's that supposed to be?
Just Me
"A critic is like a eunuch: he knows exactly how it ought to be done."
CLARINET, n.
An instrument of torture operated by a person with cotton in his ears. There are two instruments that are worse than a clarinet -- two clarinets
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Author: davetrow
Date: 2011-02-05 01:09
Thanks, justme.
That's a Halloween concert, so their BCs have costumes on them. I think they're supposed to be dragons or something. You can catch a glimpse of wings or something farther up on the BCs.
BTW, please forgive the following public correction. I wanted to send you a private message about this, but your email isn't available, and I just can't stand it anymore.
It's "eunuch," not "eunich."
Dave Trowbridge
Boulder Creek, CA
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Author: kilo
Date: 2011-02-11 14:07
snip
(new thread)
Post Edited (2011-02-12 18:05)
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