 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: BflatNH
Date: 2014-02-24 20:32
Re playing bassoon music on bass clarinet,
I'm looking at Saint Saens Bassoon and Piano Sonata Mvt II
and am having difficulty to get the reed (V12 or Gonzalez) to speak rapidly in the Clarion register (particularly where there are register jumps).
This is more notable where the register key switches (D5-E5) on my clarinet (Ridenour 925C), but the recordings of bassoons on this move right along.
I've tried harder reeds but I tire soon without enough improvement, and I've tried moving the reeds up and down on the mpc (Grabner) and find some improvement, but not enough.
Your experiences & suggestions?
For you who play both bassoon and bass clarinet, how does their responsiveness (onset of notes) compare?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2014-02-24 18:47
The bassoon is acoustically much more nimble than bass clarinet in most respects and being an octave instrument it's register changes are generally much more responsive. Expert bassoonist can do a lot just with embouchure and ignore the whisper key at times.
As for staccato there is just no contest between them - the bassoon double reed just speaks so much quicker.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2014-02-24 22:56
Ditto to what Norman said. The bassoon (and the oboe) can play much shorter than the single reed instruments. The response in all but the extreme lowest registers are extremely fast and instantaneous as long as the reed isn't too hard.
What facing Grabner are you using and with what strength reeds? This could make the world of difference in response. Also, what mouthpiece pitch do you get? The response on the bass is going to be effected by this as well. I've been aiming for an F lately, which has caused really nice results with response throughout all the registers.
I will add that I'm no expert on bass clarinet, but these are some tips that have helped me lately.
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BobD
Date: 2014-02-27 15:30
This post got me wondering if there has ever been a double-reed system for the clarinet.
Bob Draznik
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BflatNH
Date: 2014-02-28 20:38
I have heard of an "American Cut" oboe reed that has pieces which are cut like clarinet reeds (no spine, rails), so I am wondering if an oboe/bassoon cut (with a spine and rails, and cut into the heel) bass reed would help the start-up transient response.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
