 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Clay
Date: 2002-12-14 01:46
Hello,
I am a freshman clarinet player, and am requesting any information you could give me about the many types of clarinets (Soprano, Alto, Bass, Contra, etc.). If you could include descriptions as well as difficulty based on the average I would be most pleased.
Clay
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Author: David Pegel
Date: 2002-12-14 04:27
Oh, my! Where to start? There's so much to say! I'll tackle the basses and contra section and leave alto and soprano to someone more experienced.
Since I don't know what you already know I'll start with the very basics and work my way forward.
In a concert band, the next to most common type of clarinet is the Bb Bass. This clarinet is pitched one octave below the standard Bb Clarinet, and has an upturned bell like a saxophone. (But it's not a saxophone. Always remember that it's not.) The body of the clarinet is so long it stands upright between the legs of the person playing, suspended by either a neckstrap at the thumbrest or a peg extending from the bell down to the floor (which is more common than the strap, though several people use both.)
When you play bass clarinet, the parts are, as a whole, much simpler than the Bb parts. This does NOT necessarily make the bass easier to play. You need more air, a looser embouchure, and slightly longer fingers. With the bass, the small things like "cloth ligatures vs. wire ligatures" can make an astounding difference in your playing. As a nice trade-off, for me at least, I don't need to be as picky with my reeds as I am on Bb.
Also a bonus, most bass clarinet models offer an extra low note, Eb. This key is just an extra key below the low E key. Some clarinets even have extensions to low C, which can be operated by palm keys, more pinky keys, or thumb keys, depending on the model. (I personally prefer the thumb keys.)
The contra is just a Bass to the next level, in the key of either Eb or Bb. The Eb Contra-alto is one fifth lower than the bass, the Bb Contra-bass an octave below the same. (TWO OCTAVES below the standard clarinet! That's some low playing!) To play the contra, you have to have a <b>lot</b> more air, a loose embouchure (Think tuba player), and longer fingers, as the keys get rather spread out.
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