 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: lisseyjj
Date: 2017-07-18 15:13
I've been playing Bb soprano clarinet for about 8 years now, and quite like the idea of maybe adding the bass clarinet to my arsenal. I also have a few questions...
Do you have to read bass clef to play the bass clarinet? I can barely read treble clef after 8 years so learning bass would not be ideal.
Is the embouchure any different when switching to bass from soprano?
Is the fingering the same on both instruments.
If I was to buy a second hand one for <£1000, what are some good brands and models to look out for on eBay, etc?
If I were to use 2.5 V12 reeds on a mouthpiece with a 1.05mm tip opening on soprano, would this be the same on a bass clarinet?
Thanks in advance
Alicia
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2017-07-18 16:20
You don't have to read bass clef, but there is no reason not to learn it... unless you gain nothing from it. I know some orchestral (and chamber?) parts are in bass clef. Some people play from other instruments' parts in bass clef. For example I never need to play bass clef and I play pretty much only music composed for bass clarinet. There are many musicians who barely even read at all, play by ear (including two bass clarinet players). It depends what you want to play.
Embouchure is a little different. How much different depends on the player. Some change it more than others and it all works.
Fingerings are almost exactly the same. Some altisimo fingerings are different or require the first finger vent hole, might add different fingers to throat notes, etc. You also have the low Eb key (or low C if you have it).
I don't know much about prices, but at that price maybe a used Yamaha 221 or maybe a Vito or Bundy could be good (the latter two might cost less than that). An old Leblanc or Noblet could be good too and probably can be found on ebay for less than your maximum. I'm not crazy about the Vito... (BTW Yamaha 220 is a Vito so notice if it's 221 or 220). I would probably try to get the one in the best condition, unless you are sure you have a good repairer who could repair any problems.
There are other factors but that's more or less a closed-medium mouthpiece with a pretty soft reed. I would try the same on bass and go from there. Most people use the same or softer setup on bass than soprano. I imagine some use a harder setup on bass but I don't know anyone who does.
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Author: kilo
Date: 2017-07-19 00:14
My standard advice for anyone in your situation — I was there too once — is to have a look at Ed Palanker's articles on the bass clarinet. Here's one:
Bass Clarinet 101
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2017-07-19 16:39
I was going to give some advise but I noticed Kilo already suggested you read my articles. As far as bass clef goes, mainly for orchestral music from the 19th century and first half of 20th. Same as bass clarinet in A. Other than that it's pretty much all in the treble clef.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2017-07-22 22:59
Try one out before buying. I was asked to play bass clarinet for a musical about a year ago and I said I'd do it. However, once I held the clarinet in my hands and tried to play, I very quickly realized my hands are much too small to reach the keys. Even the alto sax is a stretch at times.
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