 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Tim
Date: 2002-02-09 21:44
I recently got interested in playing the Bass. After trying a couple varieties just before the end of the year, I chose the new Yamaha 221 model. I've been practicing with it for a month now and think I've got the basics down. There just been once challenge that I haven't been able to figure out, even with the help of a couple of local band directors whose primary instrument is the soprano. I hoping someone here on Sneezy can help.
I'm getting a consistent buzz coming from the reed and mouthpiece area. The lower I play or the louder I play, the more pronounced the buzz. The tone coming out of the intrument is quite nice, but the buzz is persistent. By not playing so loud, I can make it disappear on the low B flat and the low G, but the A between it will buzz as the same volume. I've tried a harder reed and that makes it worse. I've tried other brand reeds and no change. I've replaced the ligature with a Rover and it improved, but still buzzes.
I've spent hours experimenting with reed and ligature position with little improvement to show for it. Placing the reed so that it sticks out past the end of the mouthpiece seems to be the best position to minimize the buzz, but tht doesn't seem right.
The only things I know I haven't tried is a softer reed and changing the mouthpiece (the std Yamaha 4C) out. Could one of these be the cause? I would be interested in any information about these options or any other ideas. If you need more information, just let me know.
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Author: Tim
Date: 2002-02-09 22:22
It may not be clear and I failed to mention that I've been playing the Soprano for while and haven't had any problem like this.
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Author: Sandra F. H.
Date: 2002-02-09 23:37
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bass-clarinet/message
Try out these folks. Thanks to GBK for this link!
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2002-02-10 01:37
Sandra is right. There are a whole lot of Bass players who will be willing to comment once they have the full particulars. Here are some things they will wish to know:
1. Is your total experience in playing based on playing a Bb Soprano or Effer?> (This will bring your embochure into the picture).
2. What reed and hardness had you been used to using on your Bb (assuming you played it) and what strength did you change to?
If I (as a newer Bass player) were to guess I would immediately think in terms of your emboucher (not yet being accustomed to pumping more air through a bigger mouthpiece and how much mouthpiece to "bite"). Also, I would consider whether your setup (mpc,reed,lig) was best for your playing level. IMHO a month or so is too soon to consider "tweaking" anything and I would concentrate on establishing a correct emboucher.
Do you have a personal bass teacher? (One who himself/herself actively plays?) Have then check out your "basics" and then take it from there.
Membership in the Yahoo Bass group is FREE and can be accomplished through the Home Page of Sneezy. I hope to see your name there and I know the group will be more than willing to help you. Welcome to the "low-lifes".
Bob A
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Author: Mark M
Date: 2002-02-10 05:12
One question that comes to my mind is... is the ligature on tight enough?
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Author: Francesca
Date: 2002-02-10 05:13
Woo hoo! Welcome to the bass clarinet world. My first reaction is that the buzzing is from you using too soft of a reed. When I swtiched from bass to contra, I had that exact same problem. Don't go overboard, but try moving up half a reed strength and see how that works out.
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Author: kny
Date: 2002-02-10 14:05
Hi, check the low G pad. Is it torn? Another possibility is a screw that is loose. This will cause a buzzing sound too. Check them
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2002-02-10 15:24
Yes definitely check every screw on the horn. This is a good idea to do periodically even if there's nothing wrong.
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Author: graham
Date: 2002-02-11 07:40
Like some others I think it is likely to be a pad. If a pad is blowing open with the pressure, then it will cause the reed to modulate. The "buzz" will appear to come from more than one location. The harder the reed, the greater the pressure for the given amount of note, the greater the tendency to blow open. The softer you play, the less the pressure, the more likely to blow open. I have that problem with my G sharp/D sharp key, and the tech cannot fix it. The side trill keys could be a culprit. Ask someone to hold some pads down while you play and see if that's the problem
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