 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: contera
Date: 2017-01-30 06:40
Hi all. I'm a sophomore in my high school's wind ensemble and right now, we have no bass clarinets in our band. There are two Eb contrabass players (me and another girl). We have two bass clarinets in the symphonic band but neither of them are any good. I'm "first chair" of all four of us and I was wanting to switch from contra alto to bass clarinet but still play contra for the state band stuff. The other girl in my section has the Leblanc Low C paper clip and all I have a straight selmer bundy down to Eb. Would it be worth it to switch to bass clarinet?
Also this was extremely rambly I'm sorry!!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2017-01-30 15:18
> We have two bass clarinets in the symphonic band but neither of them
> are any good.
When you write "bass clarinets", do you mean the instruments, or do you mean the players?
In my very limited experience with Eb Contrabasses in band, I'd speculate most of time you're getting Tuba parts or glorified Bari Sax parts (which in turn every so often get glorified Eb Bass parts). Bass clarinet inevitably gets tuba parts sometimes too, but far more often doubled bassoon parts or a voice in their own right - it all depends on arrangement, level and and vintage of the piece.
Getting to play a "new" instrument is always a worthwile experience. Whether or not you stay on the bass clarinet is your (and the director's) decision. But I'd certainly try if there's an opportunity to learn something new.
Just make sure your instrument is in good playing condition.
--
Ben
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: contera
Date: 2017-01-30 16:56
Both, haha- the players we have aren't any good and one of the them broke her instrument, two other bass clarinets, and a bari sax. Thank you for your answer! I think I'll try it for a bit and see what happens.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2017-01-30 21:43
Contera,
Here is the link to a thread I started some time ago. You might find my musing of interest. IMHO, there really a zen-like experience one must go through to find inner peace and self when learning to really play a bass clarinet?
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=361772&t=361605
Good luck.
HRL
PS Over many decades, I have played just about all the single and double reed book in a concert band or show at one time or another except English horn. However, playing bass is by far the most satisfying place for me although I know it is not for everyone.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
