The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: claire Inet
Date: 2013-12-07 11:36
I have a question about the difficulty and range needed to participate in a typical community band.
My background - clarinet in grade school, but I gave it up in late 70's. I didn't appreciate being moved to drums for marching season, then being asked to woodshed for hours on runs etc. for concert time.
The wife recently purchased an alto sax (her long neglected instrument) and decided to join the community band. After much mulling about and yes a few months noodling around on her sax (fun, but the notes are in the wrong place - ha ), I decided that soprano wasn't for me this time and I'm now the proud owner of a used plastic Vito bass.
So far, loving it and having a blast. Wow - the instructional books now with mp3 files included - NICE. I've been transposing some public domain duets for use to play together. Not much out there for clarinet/sax. MuseScore is way too cool. But, I digress.
Listening to the instrument, it seems that it would be odd to play much in the higher ranges, as the low end is so interesting. How much time do I need to spend on the upper register? I know it depends on the band and the director. Any guidance is appreciated.
Post Edited (2013-12-07 11:38)
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-12-07 11:46
Congratulations on getting back in the saddle. It comes back quickly.
On bass clarinet, you need to sound good in the clarion register, but instruments and mouthpieces are designed to favor the chalumeau. That's where most bass parts lie. If you need to play that high all the time, use a Bb soprano.
Taking the bass part down an octave works (reasonably) well in duets.
Ken Shaw
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