 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Gary
Date: 2012-07-31 18:39
I am a b-flat clarinet player who has never played bass clarinet. I am going to be playing in a pit orchestra which requires very quick switches to bass clarinet. I would be interested in suggestions for ensuring the bass clarinet reed is ready to go. Are synthetic reeds a good option? Are there tricks for keeping the traditional reeds wet and ready to go? Also, I'm interested in opinions regarding rules-of-thumb for b-flat reed strength to bass clarinet reed strength for a given player. Thanks
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2012-07-31 18:51
Gary, welcome to the doubler's world.
Two simple answers:
1) Use Legere synthetic reeds on both your horns.
The Legere Signature Bb clarinet reed in a 2.5-3 strength should be fine, and a Bass Clarinet Quebec or a Tenor Sax Signature reed in a 2-2.5 will work also. But find the proper strength for you.
2) Buy or borrow a Blayman Bass Clarinet Stand with a Clarinet Peg extension or a separate Bb Clarinet peg. It will facilitate any quick switches you have.
The Blayman Stands are available at some local music stores or:
http://www.blaymanmusic.com/products.html#BassClarinet
Good luck and have fun!
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
Post Edited (2012-07-31 18:52)
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2012-07-31 19:05
What John Moses (Master Doubler!) says.
Although the Blayman bass clarinet stand is the most stable, it has a cast-iron base so is rather heavy. A more portable stand that's reasonably secure is the K&M (sold as a bassoon/bass clarinet stand). I usually keep the Blayman at home and take the K&M to concerts/gigs.
Although I always have a Legere in my case, I still prefer cane reeds and try to keep a small pill bottle with about 2" of water on the floor near my feet, to keep reeds wet if they have to go a long while without being played. Otherwise I just grab the "second" instrument when I get a short break from playing and slobber on the reed for a few seconds to keep it wet (trying to do this discreetly and elegantly, of course.....).
FWIW I use harder reeds (#4-ish) than John suggests, but it all depends on your embouchure and your mouthpiece. I use roughly the same strength reeds on every size of clarinet; by careful selection of mouthpieces you should be able to do the same. I disagree with those folks who think that softer reeds should be used on larger clarinets, but what do I know?
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2012-08-01 01:23
I'll add to what has been said as well...
The Hercules Bass Clarinet/Bassoon Stand (not the one that's only for bass clarinet with the 2 yokes...) works great as well, and my K&M Clarinet Pegs also fit on it (which means I didn't have to buy a new clarinet peg). It's also rather portable and sturdy. I would not suggest the model that is built solely for bass clarinet, but the bass clarinet/bassoon stand resembles the ever popular K&M stand in terms of construction and is a bit more friendly on the wallet. I've used it for both my bassoon and bass (and alto) clarinet with no issues at all in normal concerts and pit orchestras.
Legere reeds are great, but if you can't get them, taking those extra few rests you have when playing clarinet to wet the bass reeds (and vice versa) is the route that I've normally taken (and that goes for oboe and bassoon reeds as well).
Just like with clarinet, your reed strength is going to be determined by your mouthpiece and embouchure. You might have better luck in trying a few different strengths in your favorite brand to see what matches up to your mouthpiece and then using that information and the chart from Legere to match your desired reed strength.
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: gsurosey
Date: 2012-08-01 04:20
I use Legere reeds on bass. Even if I'm only playing bass with no other clarinets, I prefer the synthetic. When I used cane on bass and the reed tips, warped, forget it. Since it's a relatively large reed, there's more warpage to try and flatten out and I didn't want to deal with that. Plus, my sound is more consistent with synthetics.
I use the Hercules stand that's built for bass (with the 2 contact points). While it doesn't facilitate quick changes, I like it because I can keep the peg stand extended and I don't have to readjust every time I take it the bass off the stand. I will sacrifice the slower change for not having to reset the peg every time since I'm not that quick if I have to reset the peg every time. Taking the bass off of the Hercules stand is quicker than resetting the peg for me. I just have to get one that has peg holes so I don't have to bring an extra clarinet stand (my stand was one of the earlier ones and they didn't drill peg holes in those).
Reed strength will depend on the mouthpieces that you're using. My reed strengths are high because I use close-tipped/long-faced mouthpieces.
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Rachel
Clarinet Stash:
Bb/A: Buffet R13
Eb: Bundy
Bass: Royal Global Max
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Author: Fishamble
Date: 2012-08-01 08:47
I use cane reeds on both Bb and bass (just can't find plastic reeds that I'm happen enough with). When there's a danger of reeds drying out (which is always!) I'm careful to use reed caps on idle instruments. I'm convinced it slows down the drying.
This might be overly obvious, but I think that practising on both instruments is important. For me, it's more important to have a reed on each instrument that is optimal, and for me to be trained to adapt quickly as I switch.
One other thing, try to be consistent about where you position instruments when they're on their stands. I once tipped over a Bb and an Eb together in one careless movement with my bass, because they were sitting closer to me than usual.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2012-08-01 12:53
Well I'm going to jump in here too. I'm not a "doubler" but I often have to go back and forth from bass to clarinet in the orchestra. Many orchestra parts a scored for bass and 3rd clarinet, sometimes even 2nd and bass, Bartok piano concerto's and some others. First of all you said you haven't played bass clarinet before. Good luck, you will need to learn how to play it so you can control the tone and not squeak, especially above the staff. Hopefully you have a decent horn that doessn't leak and has good machanics. With that said, you do have to find a good mouthpiece but first you have to gain some control on the horn so you recognize when you find the right mouthpiece. Then you will have to determine the proper reed and strength. If you don't know where to begin I suggest trying a few Selmer C*, they may or may not be the best MP but they're accessible. I use one myself but it has been "touched" up. I also have a Forbes RR as a back up. There are many good MPs on the market, you will have to find one that works for you. I also suggest starting with the reed strength you're accustomed to, maybe a half strength softer if neccessary. The Rico Grand Concerts and Reserves work great for me but a lot will be determined by your comfort level and how much bass and which register you have to play in.
I too always keep my cap on the MP of the clarinet I'm not playing. If I have a very quick change I keep the bass leaning over my right shoulder and just "lean" towards the music until I can put it back on my bass stand, I have a custom stand that folds and fits in my bass case. If you need too, take a few bass lessons. I've taught many doublers that had problems voicing the bass properly. Sometimes you just have to do that. Good luck.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2012-08-01 15:47
Just to comment on Rachel's comment...
I've never had to readjust the peg to put the bass in the stand. I adjust the stand to whatever peg length I need for that day, and leave it at that. It will move out towards you (the bottom cup) and up (the yoke to support the top of the instrument).
But to the OP, a lot of it is a matter of taste. You may have to do some trial and error to see what method works best and most efficient for you.
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: Gary
Date: 2012-08-09 04:19
Thanks for the inputs! (Even got Palanker to weigh in). I am playing a pretty good, fairly new, school Yamaha 221 II bass clarinet (one that the teacher does not loan out to beginning kids). She gave me a "bagful" of mouthpieces and I have narrowed down to 2 (but not the Yamaha that came with the instrument). I have tried a couple of cane Rico Select reeds but actually have had most success with a couple of fibracell reeds. I use a 3 1/2 Vandoren Rue Lepic reed with my Hite D mouthpiece on the soprano. The 3 fibracell seems to work well. I'm sounding pretty good, if I do say so, altho that is the beauty of having time to practice a little since I'm a retired engineer who now teaches the soprano clarinet. Had one of my students recognize the instrument since he had played the same horn give me some helpful pointers (sort of putting the shoe on the other foot, so to speak).
I know leaks can be a real bugaboo; the horn seems pretty tight. The only thing I have noticed is the small key that opens with the thumb and register key seems "sticky",i.e. not reliably opening quickly each time. I haven't had time to see if the pad is actually sticky or the springs are not freely operating.
One other question. I have heard from some players that they have better luck with tenor sax reeds than bass clarinet reeds. Anybody have an opinion on that?
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Author: Justin Willsey ★2017
Date: 2012-08-09 04:51
Mr. Moses,
Are the tenor sax Legere Signatures similar in strength to their regular bass clarinet Legere counterparts?
With thanks,
Justin
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2012-08-09 12:13
Gary, I've been using 'tenor sax' and 'bass clarinet' reeds interchangeably on bass clarinet for nearly as long as Ed Palanker has been playing (well, OK, maybe not quite THAT long!), based on what's more readily available. With most brands there seems to be little or no difference in the cut, although sometimes it seems that the tenor sax versions are a bit softer overall.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2012-08-09 15:30
I have to practice switching back and forth between Bb and bass. Otherwise my Bb embouchure feels numb after a switch, and the bass rattles my brains.
What works for me is playing etudes (say, the Rose 32), switching instruments at the end of each line.
Ken Shaw
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2012-08-10 15:27
Hi Justin:
Yes, I use the Legere Tenor Sax Signature reeds on my Bass Clarinet & they work great! The regular Legere Bass Clarinet Quebec reeds also are fine, but Legere does not as yet make the Signature for Bass Clarinet.
When I used cane reeds, I always used Bass Clarinet Reeds never Tenor Reeds, as I felt, at that time, they were all too bright and the vamp was not right for my Bass Clarinet mpc.
Many now use cane Tenor reeds on Bass, to each his own. I have had great luck with what Legere has perfected in their Signature Series for Bb Clarinet and Tenor Sax, for use on all my horns at WICKED, the NY Pops, and in the NY recording studis .
The Legere Sig sounds great in the Broadway pits, on stage at Carnegie Hall & in the chilly NYC studios!
Good luck with trying the Tenor Sigs on your Bass.
Cheers,
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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