 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: HANGARDUDE
Date: 2014-12-28 17:07
So last weekend I was playing my (French) bass clarinet in a brass(and single reed) band at a Christmas gig. The parts we were using are the Salvation Army's version, which only denotes Eb and Bb Soprano to Bass but not specific instruments. There were no clarinets but 2 alto and 1 tenor saxes, so I challenged myself to double the tenor sax's Bb tenor part on my bass clarinet. The result was actually pretty good, somewhat mimicking the tenor sax's sound despite the resistence at the high registers on the bass. Has anyone had the experience of playing tenor range on bass clarinets during gigs?
Josh
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-12-28 17:25
I played some G&S tenor sax band part (either HMS Pinafore or Pirates of Penzance - can't care to remember to be honest as they all sound the same) on bass clarinet as there weren't any bass clarinet parts and didn't particularly enjoy that - both because it was G&S and also because the part was mostly throat notes and crossing back and forth over the break rather than being either mostly staying in the upper or lower registers.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: alanporter
Date: 2014-12-28 21:52
I played tenor sax parts on bass at recent Christmas carol concerts. As Chris said, mostly throat tones back and forth across the break, not particularly enjoyable.
Alan
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Author: HANGARDUDE
Date: 2014-12-29 06:41
For me actually it was mostly from throat A to clarion G. I had to handle the break as well, but most of my tones are around middle C to middle E. So it wasn't that hard for me. Besides it's a good practice for getting used to some of that Richard Strauss, won't it?
Josh
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2014-12-29 17:29
With a good mouthpiece and good BC, the altissimo is actually easier than on the soprano. I've played Schubert's Arpeggione Sonata on the BC and had no trouble going up to a piano A6.
You'll need some finger gymnastics to deal with the fingerings and the pierced left index finger key, but it come with practice. Playing high is "just" a matter of voicing properly.
Ken Shaw
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2014-12-29 18:17
I don't remrember playing tenor sax parts, but as far as range, there is almsot no concert/gig where I don't use the range from the lowest notes (often the low C) to the altissimo (usually high altissimo).
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Author: Barry Vincent
Date: 2014-12-29 19:47
The Bb 'bass' Clarinet has the same tonality as the Bb Tenor Saxophone.
Except for the usual somewhat awkwardness of the Clarinet's 'throat' notes in crossing over from the lower to the middle register , there should not be much of a problem. The 'bass' Clarinet IS a Tenor with an lovely extended lower range which doesn't exist on the Tenor Saxophone.
It does help if the 'bass' Clarinet has a quality double register key system instead of the rocker mechanism usually seen on lower quality instruments.
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