 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: mmatisoff
Date: 2020-10-09 23:54
I love the sound of the bass clarinet, so I bought a used student bass (Vito Reso Tone Low Eb). I've been playing the Bb soprano for a number of years. The only problem I'm having with the bass is the transition from throat tone Bb and to clarion B. When I press the register key there is a lag before it connects. Only with these two notes. I thought the register key was too low, and maybe that was causing it. How can I tell if I'm the problem or the instrument is the problem? Thanks.
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Author: Max S-D
Date: 2020-10-10 05:25
> How can I tell if I'm the problem or the instrument is the problem?
Possibly some of each.
How it could be you:
I haven't seen a Vito's register mechanism in years, but if it works at all like the Bundy I use as a backup, the register vent switches from the lower vent (Bb) to the upper vent (everything else) when the F key on the back of the instrument is closed. It might be possible that you are a little slow to get that thumb closing that pad, especially if you are still getting used to the distance your hand has to travel on the bass clarinet. Take a look at your movement there and see how you are doing. When I've been focusing on the Bb clarinet for a while and pick up the bass, the distance the hand has to roll from the A key to the rest of the instrument is pretty noticeable and takes me a few minutes to get calibrated to. This is if I do at least a few weeks of only the Bb clarinet.
How it could be the instrument:
Before you do that, it's also worth making sure that the instrument makes the switch between the two vents seamlessly. Without playing, hold down the register vent and nothing else. It will probably open the throat Bb vent. Then, while holding the register key, close the F pad. Does the vent switch immediately when the pad is closed? If there's too much play in that mechanism it could cause it to respond inconsistently. If it's adjusted poorly or been put out of alignment, it might cause it to respond wrong all the time.
Edit to add: if the register vent works a little differently, the advice still applies. Just do the mechanical and technique checks using whatever key it is that triggers the vent switch.
Post Edited (2020-10-10 05:26)
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Author: mmatisoff
Date: 2020-10-10 05:59
The Vito has two vents: a Bb vent and an upper vent. As Max S-D noted, the Bb throat vent is activated by pressing the register key, and the upper vent is activated by pressing the F and register keys together (the lower vent closes and the upper vent opens).
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Author: kdk
Date: 2020-10-10 07:06
mmatisoff wrote:
> The only problem I'm having with
> the bass is the transition from throat tone Bb and to clarion
> B. When I press the register key there is a lag before it
> connects.
Does it just not speak, or does a low E come out at first, or a squeak, or something else?
Obviously, if you aren't coordinating all of the finger movements that go into Bb4-B4 (on any clarinet), the connection won't be smooth. The LH thumb has to close the thumb key pad completely, the other fingers have to go down together, etc.
If it's an automatic double register/Bb key, is the mechanism moving smoothly? Any delay in the action can cause a response delay. Of course, the instrument needs to be in generally good repair - leaks are, if anything, more problematic on a bass than on a soprano.
Are you squeezing the reed as you go over the break? Is your reed responsive?
How is the response when you begin a B from scratch? What happens if you start on B4, slur down to Bb, then slur back up, being careful to keep a stable embouchure and air column?
One obvious way to tell if a problem is the player's or the instrument's is get someone who is a reliable player to try the instrument. Depending on where the register vent is and whether or not you can turn the neck to point toward the keys, you can blow and have someone else finger.
Karl
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Author: EbClarinet
Date: 2020-10-11 18:34
I played a low C bass in college. I played on a Selmer for 5 non consecutive years. If u use the side trip key to finger the throat tone Bb, u won't have this problem. That fingering is more resonant, especially for sustained notes.
https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/mbtldsongministry/
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Author: mmatisoff
Date: 2020-10-12 02:11
Thanks everyone. I've read through all the comments. I made tiny adjustments to the Bb register and F keys. The sound is huge now. Even throat Bb sounds almost good (throwing down fingers seems to help).
Should the Bb register key be aligned with the top or bottom of the F key? Right now, when F is open, the register key is aligned with the bottom of the F key. On my soprano, the key is aligned with the top of the F key.
Thanks
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Author: Max S-D
Date: 2020-10-20 21:42
That's a matter of personal preference/comfort. Whatever works best for your hand is the best way to do it.
One of the things I love about my Bundy is the throat Bb. Because it doesn't have to share that tone hole with the lower register vent like my Selmer, the Bb sounds fantastic. Much better than on my Selmer. The throat A is similarly fantastic.
The Selmer beats it everywhere else, but every time I play that old Bundy I am delighted at how full and powerful that Bb is. Pretty much as good as the side key Bb on my Selmer.
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