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Bass clarinet voicing issue - pitching too high

Author: tinselworm42
Date: 2018-10-21 18:37

Hello all

I have a problem on my bass clarinet that I haven't been able to solve: low G, F#, F, and E, only when tonguing, pitch a 12th high.

I've had this problem on every bass I've ever played, so I'm fairly sure it's me, further supported by the fact it's only happening when I tongue - slurring down to the notes is fine. I'm pretty sure it's something to do with my voicing.

I've tried pretty much everything to fix this: had the instruments set up and checked for leaks, looser embouchure, tighter, lower tongue position, higher, less mouthpiece in the mouth (the most successful, but then the tone is stuffy), tonguing in different positions on the reed, slower air, faster air, different mouthpieces - I'm stumped and the problem is driving me mad. It's better when I start my air slower, but then I can't get a loud volume on a low note when I need it or a clean start to the note.

Any ideas as to how to fix this?

Current set up: Selmer Privilege to low C, Grabner LB mouthpiece, vandoren 3 or 3.5, but it honestly does it with every set up I try and every single instrument/mouthpiece/reed combination. It's me, and something to do with voicing, and I can't fix it.

Thanks all - any suggestions would be most gratefully received.

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