 The Fingering Forum
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Author: Raj
Date: 2005-09-25 05:14
I have been playing Bass Clarinet since Grade 7 but know very little of it and I am now in high school and they have a lot of instruments.
I signed up for Bass Clarinet but now I am really tired of it.
Should I keep it or should I switch? It has only been three weeks since the beginning of school so if I switch I will catch up.
I am fascinated by the sound of the Oboe and Bassoon and want to play one of those.
If I switch, should I choose the Oboe or the Bassoon? I`d appreciate any advice.
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Author: Flute472
Date: 2005-09-25 05:23
What I suggest is that you give both instruments a try before really deciding to swtich.
Plus, it's quite a shame to switch to another instrument since you have devoted, I'm guessing, a lot of time to improve on your Bass Clarinet playing. But if you really have no interest or passion in the instrument already, I suggest you switch.
I'd choose Bassoon coz I personally like the sound. It plays a lot of bass part so you should be used to it. Whereas for oboe, it plays a lot of melody parts and quite a lot of running notes which you don't see often on a Bass Clarinet score.
Hope this helps.
ps. The fingerings for both the instruments are a killer.
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Author: Flute472
Date: 2005-09-25 05:30
Oh yea one more thing. the instruments are expensive and plus, you need to buy and make your own reeds which are expensive as well and would cost more if you accidently chip your reed.
You should ask other oboe and bassoon players before really picking up these instruments. They need alot of maintenance.
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Author: Raj
Date: 2005-09-25 18:11
You need to buy your own reeds? the music teacher always just gives them to us.
The music teacher is also being an ass about me switching. he won't even let me try the oboe. We didn't have double reeded instruments back in elementary school which is why I kept the Bass Clarinet.
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Author: Flute472
Date: 2005-09-26 03:27
Well what I know is mainly from my oboe friend.
You see, oboe reeds, maybe bassoon reeds as well, wear out very fast if you practice too much on them. Even if the teacher just give you the reeds, it doesn't mean that you can just play on them straight away coz they may not be suitable for your lip.
For example, it may sound too thin, and you may need to do something about it like scrap some off or something like that. And if you just accidentally overdo it, you need a new reed.
Most oboist spend time on making their own reeds instead of practicing. Still, you should really ask either an oboist or bassoonist from your band or ask a REAL oboist or bassoonist, not your music teacher I think.
This wa, you can get a better picture of things.
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Author: Carolyn
Date: 2005-09-26 22:10
SOrry so say it, but it seems to me that if you signed up at the beginning of the hear to play bass clarinet, your band director kind of has a right to be frustrated that you're switching now. Hey, you're getting free reeds out of the deal (something I've never heard of before), so don't complain!
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