 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: suzanv
Date: 2010-10-19 19:29
hi all,
I have a great new bass clarinet (BC Prestige to low C) and am currently busy getting used to it (my previous instrument was very very different - a LeBlanc to low Eb).
The most difficult thing for me is hitting the low notes (esp. A,G# and G) without them jumping to the higher register. I have no problems playing them in scales (either legato or staccato) but hitting them after a rest is really difficult, especially with accents but also pizzicato. This makes it very hard for me to play bass lines in my band (note - rest - note - rest).
Maybe it simply requires time and practice but concerts (with Bernstein & Prokofiev!) are coming up and I really want to play my new instrument! Can someone give me advise?
My teacher told me do give less pressure with the lower lip but it seems that the less pressure I give the worse it gets - the middle register notes come out really easily without using the left thumb register key.
Thanks a lot,
Suzan
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Author: davidsampson
Date: 2010-10-19 20:31
This may be really obvious, but have you checked for leaks? The obvious one would be the register key, they get out of adjustment very easily on basses. Otherwise look for one of the trill keys, or maybe the A or G# key.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-10-19 20:34
It sounds like there could be a problem with the register key opening up or not closing completely. It could also be that one of the pads "POPS" open slightly when you add air pressure, usually that would be the Ab-Eb key. The spring may not be firm enough. Have someone press that key when you try it and see if that's the cause. If not check to make sure the register key is closing tight. Other than that or a slight leak you could be voicing to high, your tongue to high or throat voicing a high note instead of a low note. Other than that I'd have to try it to know. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
PS, that could happen if your reeds are not sealing flat on the mouthpiece, that creates a delay in attaches because the reed won't vibrate until you press it enough to seal.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
Post Edited (2010-10-19 20:43)
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Author: suzanv
Date: 2010-10-20 07:22
Thanks to both answers!
The register key is closing properly. It is not my instrument, it is me...
I am working on it.
@Ed: what exactly do you mean by "voicing too high" and "throat voicing a high note"?
Suzan
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Author: Fishamble
Date: 2010-10-20 15:47
Hi Suzan,
Re. voicing, have a look at this video by Michael Lowenstern:
http://www.youtube.com/user/earspasm#p/u/12/1eQL-3demDA
The squeeking he refers to is different to what you're experiencing, but the information on voicing is very enlightening.
Look at his channel on youtube - there are more very informative bass clarinet videos in there.
David.
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Author: Chetclarinet
Date: 2010-10-20 15:58
To avoid low notes jumping you could try: start low notes with a firm embouchure, voicing with warm air in the back or middle back of the mouth and with air first then tongue using a ahhhhhhhTah, start. That helps me every time I have to start a low note at a loud volume. The bass clarinet embouchure I use is actually quite similar to a normal clarinet emouchure, except the air focus is toward the back of the mouth towards the throat. Good luck with your new bass clarinet!
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-10-21 17:45
If you're sure that none of the keys with closed pads "jumps" when you add air in the low register then it is you but why didn't it happen with your old bass? Really, if one of the springs is a bit weak the pad key can open just a tiny bit.
What I mean by voicing to high can probably be best compared to singing or playing the clarinet in the upper register. Clarinet wise, the best example is if you're playing a very high E and you want to play a high A, using the same fingering, you have to voice it up by changing the position of the back of your throat. The same thing happens if you sing a very low note and then sing to a very high note and see what happens in the back of your throat and or tongue. Sing a low O or OH, and then a high E. That will give you a good example. If you begin the low note on the bass by "voicing" it high it will probably not come out right away or squeak. Also you have to determine how much pressure you should put on the reed with your embouchure, a little more, or a little less. Experiment.
Again, make sure your reeds are sealing. Suck the air out of the tip of the mouthpiece with the reed attached and close off the other end with the palm of your hand, you should create a vacum so the reed closes off and soon "pops" open. If it doesn't it means there's a leak and the reed is not sealing. That may cause your problem too. ESP
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
Post Edited (2010-10-21 17:47)
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Author: suzanv
Date: 2010-10-22 07:55
Thanks a lot for all the answers. I watched the youtube-video and tried some of the exercises suggested here. That already helped a bit. Then a colleague found out that one of the keys (the G#1 key) was leaking a tiny bit. That helped even more. It seems that with some practice I will soon be able to do it right.
I will also check my reed as suggested by Ed.
Thanks again!
Suzan
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Author: suzanv
Date: 2010-10-28 13:11
Another update: I had my G# key repaired and it made all my problems disappear. I can play everything I want now without squeaking (unless I make a mistake of course)!
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2010-10-28 17:42
Ah, the dreaded G# and A keys. They can work like register keys, with similar (and mostly unwanted) effects if they don't seal properly.
--
Ben
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