 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ramona
Date: 2001-01-27 01:47
Who can help me? Why are Bass Clarinets stuffy and thin sounding in the middle and high registers? Could it be the mouthpiece-reed set up? I have a good horn, a Selmer low C in Excellent adjustment. When I get to the mid-staff C, the trouble begins. Is this inherent to the bass clarinet and what can help?
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2001-01-27 02:53
I have the same problem with my Selmer. I have tried a new mp, legere reed, roven lig and it helps a bit, but not much.
One thing that does seem to help is to relax you embouchure and take more of the mp into your mouth and just try and relax and blow and blow.
I'm getting a little better. I tried a $3K bass and it was better, but not 3K better.
The low range is great.
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2001-01-27 06:50
I recently bought a Selmer bass model 35 (low Eb) and was having the same problem. Then I had Charlie Bay make me a mouthpiece with a larger tip opening than was available through the Woodwind and Brasswind which carries a good selection. This mouthpiece (tip opening .100") makes the clarion and altissimo registers more responsive and free-blowing. Most bass mouthpieces are in the .070" to .080" range. This is too small to get a strong and free-blowing response out of an instrument with the long cylindrical bore of the bass clarinet. I would recommend getting a mouthpiece with at least a .090" tip opening.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-01-29 09:56
Are these French Selmers? Do they have a register key switch over mechanism operated by the right hand index finger key?
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Author: javier garcia
Date: 2001-01-29 11:25
I've recently purchased a new Buffet 1180 (student model, to low Eb), I have the same problem. but there is a hugh difference on how I play these tones now and when I began. You have to work a lot to control this register.
Javier
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2001-01-29 18:10
I've said it before, but bass clarinets, in general, are not necessarily stuffy in the clarion or altissimo registers, although some may be. Mine, a Buffet 1193-2 (low-C) instrument isn't and neither was my old wood LeBlanc. I suspect that your problems are most likely due to the mouthpiece/reed setup you are using. (I use a Vandoren B45.) It's also possible that a leaky pad or out-of-adjustment register key might contribute to the problem.
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Author: Dave Spiegelthal
Date: 2001-01-29 19:05
Bass clarinets need not be stuffy or thin-sounding in ANY register. A good combination of player, mouthpiece, reeds, and horn will result in a solid, "clarinet-like" sound in the middle register. Granted, it's not easy! Bass clarinet is finicky, and the middle register is the most difficult to master, but it can be done. Unfortunately there's no 'magic bullet' --- it really requires that all the pieces be put together. The horn has to be leak-free and properly-regulated, the mouthpiece has to be decent, the reed has to be good, and most importantly, the player has to develop the open throat, solid wind support, and 'firm but flexible' embouchure needed for bass clarinet success. I speak from experience, I've been fighting this battle for 25 years!
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