 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: mrboxcup
Date: 2012-01-28 19:32
Can anybody tell me what a good model of bass clarinet works well for a marching band without sacrificing too much of the tone/quality of the instrument? I currently play in the marching band as well as the wind ensemble of my high school. I have heard plenty of talk about concert bass clarinets from the Selmer, Buffet, and LeBlanc brands, but I cannot find anything that would work well for a marching season. The weather where I am also requires a very sturdy clarinet that will will not be destroyed due to humidity/heat etc.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2012-01-28 21:21
***Please*** don't march a bass clarinet. They're delicate, heavy and inaudible.
If you must, there's no choice but plastic. Get a Bundy, which is as close to indestructible as anything gets. Linton is a Bundy stencil.
Ken Shaw
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2012-01-28 23:30
Bundy is the way to go for marching. They're (comparably) built like tanks, and if ever something goes pear-shaped, there's spare parts galore.
Rumour has it that it can equally well be used in a concert sitting, at least if you have a decent mouthpiece and the score on the sheet doesn't suggest anything below the low Eb.
--
Ben
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Author: Claire Annette
Date: 2012-01-28 23:33
I'm totally with Ken on this one. March on a cheap/beginner clarinet or join the drum line for marching season or do colorguard. Get a good bass clarinet and take lessons during marching season (and beyond) to prepare you for concert season and auditions.
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Author: davyd
Date: 2012-01-29 01:45
Concurring with Ken and Claire. If you must be in marching band, bass clarinet is not an appropriate instrument for any number of reasons.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2012-01-29 03:56
Just the weight of the horn will create breathing problems. It's just too heavy. You will need back and neck surgery after the season ends. Joking of course. People won't ever hear you, even the fellow musicians right next to you.
If you decide to march with it anyway, just hold it in your mouth and fake it. No one will ever know, yet you will still get full credit on your report card
and you will have fun with all of your friends in the band.Playing in marching bands can be a lot of fun.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2012-01-29 13:22
I also 100% agree with Ken. Another idea: consider using marching band as an excuse to borrow the band's tenor sax and learn to play it on their nickel. Everyone wins --- they gain the presence of an instrument that can actually contribute to the sound of the band, and you get to learn a very useful instrument for the future.
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2012-01-29 18:28
Bundy bass clarinet is a surprisingly decent instrument as long as the ambient temperature stays below the mid-80's (F). As the temperature rises above that the instrument's pitch rises egregiously to the point where it is impossible to play in tune no matter how far one can pull things out!
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Author: blazian
Date: 2012-01-30 04:20
I marched with a Bundy bass for two years of marching band (without a neckstrap btw). We did have enough bass clarinets to be heard as a section but I do agree it's not the most useful. Bari sax is quite fun to march with if you're up to marching with something heavy.
I did use the Bundy as a backup to my backup during concert season and the one time I did need it, my director didn't mention a difference (though it didn't feel as good in my hands).
- Martin
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Author: mrboxcup
Date: 2012-01-30 21:45
Thanks all of you for the help, especially Ken, since I was actually only considering playing bass clarinet for marching band, but not anymore. I currently play Soprano Clarinet during marching season and bass clarinet during concert season. I wanted to play bass clarinet so I wouldnt be part of the inaudible clarinet section of 30+ students,(our band director is heavy on brasswind, woodwind sound is hardly heard) but I did not realize it was the same for bass clarinets. I will see into trying something like tenor sax, Ive played one before and it did not seem to be a huge change from the clarinet group of instruments. Now, would anyone like to discuss a bass clarinet good for concert season? XD currently I use a school owned "Armstrong." We have several other school owned bass clarinets of more well known names like Jupiter, Bundy, and others but they are all terrible and in need of replacement
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