The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Prunesquallor
Date: 2014-10-25 21:32
I'm an experienced clarinetist who recently started playing bass clarinet on a second-hand student model. The chalumeau register sounds great, but the notes in the clarion register don't feel right. Best best way I can describe it is it feels as though I'm hitting overtones (even though I'm not). The pitches are right, but the notes sound and feel strained and pinched.
I'm not sure whether this is a problem with my technique or a problem with the instrument. Can anyone diagnose my problem from this (admittedly vague) description?
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Author: kilo
Date: 2014-10-26 14:37
Quote:
The bass clarinet is a unique member of the clarinet family. If you don’t
voice it correctly in the upper register you’re in for a surprise, and
disappointment. One of the big problems playing the upper register is how
easy it is to get the high overtones. You think you’re squeaking but you’re
really playing the altissimo register. The bass clarinet has an incredible
range; the problem is how to control it. Try this for kicks. Play a Bb3 and
pinch or voice up a bit, you should get a G4, pinch more and you get a C5,
pinch more, it keeps going, and going and going. You’re not squeaking,
you’re playing overtones. You have to avoid voicing high or pinching in the
upper register or you’ll be higher than a kite. A bass clarinet squeak is when
you skip to a low note and it chirps, or you hit a throat tone key when you
shouldn’t. You’ll notice because everyone in the hall hears it too because it’s
so loud.
From Ed Palanker's Bass Clarinet 101 for Dummies
Ed has lots of good bass clarinet into up on his site.
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Author: claire Inet
Date: 2014-10-26 15:28
I would second the leak check recommendation. My used BC got a lot better after it was worked on. The tech reset a few pads. Admittedly, I'm still working on a decent sound from the clarion, but the repair helped.
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Author: Prunesquallor
Date: 2014-10-26 21:48
Awesome. Thanks for the advice all! I'll get a leak check, and that "for Dummies" article is really useful.
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