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 Upper register problem with Bb Bass Clarinet
Author: Justin 
Date:   2001-11-16 22:17

I find it extremely difficult to hit any note above the G 1 octave above open G. I can hit these notes on the Bb Soprano Clarinet and Eb Contrabass Clarinet easily. I have tried various other bass clarinet's that my school owns, but I can't hit these notes on any of them. The one I currently use is school owned and I know the following information about it...

1) It's a Selmer
2) It's between 5-7 years old.

I use a Yamaha mouthpiece with Vandoren 3 1/2 reeds. I have tried with a 2 1/2, 3, and 4 of Vandoren's as well. I have tried taking in less or more mouthpiece, and I have taken to a shop for an inspection and it's in excellent shape, so I'm fairly certain that it's something that I'm doing that I have yet to think to do.

Any suggestions?

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 RE: Upper register problem with Bb Bass Clarinet
Author: Alphie 
Date:   2001-11-17 00:00

Justin,

since the instrument is a good one and you know how to relax your embouchure because you can play those notes on the Eb contra, I suggest that you take a closer check on the mouthpiece. Have you come as far as G/top of the staff, the rest shuldn't be a problem. The usual problems in the beginning as I can recall it is long B-D over the break before 2nd speaker key opens and on Selmer sometimes the F#.
Try a Selmer C85 MP that is very easy to blow or a Vandoren B40 for a full sound for a start. Reeds 2 1/2-3 1/2.

Good luck,
Alphie

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 RE: Upper register problem with Bb Bass Clarinet
Author: Justin 
Date:   2001-11-17 00:22

Yes, hitting the G is easy, but G# and above are difficult.

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 RE: Upper register problem with Bb Bass Clarinet
Author: Aaron 
Date:   2001-11-17 05:26

I would think it's probablly aproblem with the mouthpiece/reed combo. I fit's happening on various horns, and you're using the same mouthpiece, then i would say that the Mpc. could be a cause tothe problem.

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 RE: Upper register problem with Bb Bass Clarinet
Author: Don Berger 
Date:   2001-11-17 18:13

If your Selmer has "double-register-keying" [if there is a small "register-octave" key on the neck as well as high on the upper joint] , the mechanism may need adjustment so that ONLY one of the two is open with any clarion-altissimo fingering. I have had this problem on my older Sel-Paris, and found that even with very slight movement of the lower register key, the upper clarion notes might not speak. You may need pro help re: pad leakage on a bass clar. Don

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 RE: Upper register problem with Bb Bass Clarinet
Author: Justin 
Date:   2001-11-18 17:40

Don...

thank you for telling me this, I find that while pressing down the lower of the 2 register pads the notes are easy to play, thus the problem is a leak. Thank you very much.. :)

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 RE: Upper register problem with Bb Bass Clarinet
Author: Gordon (NZ) 
Date:   2001-11-19 11:15

You initially wrote "I have tried various other bass clarinet's that my school owns, but I can't hit these notes on any of them".

Does this mean that they all have the same problem?

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