 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Dano
Date: 2007-07-02 15:33
I tried searching for this topic but don't come up with any help. I thought this subject would have been done to death? I am relatively new to the bass clarinet (4 months). I have played sop. cl. for about 40 years and find that the bass may have fingering like a sop. cl. and have a similar flavor or sound but that seems to be the end of the similarities. I just can not get my bass clarinet to stop squeaking at the most inappropriate times ( as if there is an appropriate time to squeak ). I will be playing along, sounding every very much like a clarinetist that has played for most of his life, when this horrible squeak attacks and makes me sound as if I just started playing last week. Squeaking is something I can't even do on purpose on the soprano ( I may be overstating a little) and I just get thrown for such a loop when it happens on the bass. It seems to come from using the register key. I have tried different strength reeds, mouthpieces, positioning of everything from my mouth to my body and nothing seems to help. I know bass clarinets are a little more temperemental than soprano clarinets. My bass has been tested and seems to be in perfect working order. Any suggestions? I thought someone could shine a light on something I have not tried. I am not about to give up.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2007-07-02 16:39
Dano, We have discussedsquee[ea]ks every year and those findings and suggestions are available using the [archives] Search, above on the BBoard. The most common reasons for bass cl. squeaking [IMHO] are 1. pads not seating properly [or bad], particularly register and Bb vents, and 2. using a "too-tight", or "poor" embouchure. On a "student" bass cl. , having a single [not double {one on the neck,also}] REGISTER vent, the squeaking tendency is possibly greater in the lower clarion notes. Just my experience, others please help. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Mike Blinn
Date: 2007-07-02 16:41
Hello Dano,
Like you I played the Bb for many years, and I learned the bass clarinet two years ago. At first, I had the same problem as you: sqeaking.
Have you tried Legere synthetic reeds? They cured my squeaking problem on the bass clarinet. They don't sound as good as cane, but you can trust them not to embarrass you unexpectedly. Like you, I have no problem with cane on the Bb, but large bass clarinet reeds are more prone to warping.
I use a 3 1/2 mostly, but I also have a 3 1/4, both of which I have played in many concerts.
Mike Blinn
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2007-07-02 16:58
I would take a very hard look at your mouthpiece. If the tip or baffle or rail lengths are unbalanced (any or all of these), then you will tend to squeak, ESPECIALLY if you also have a bad reed or a maladjusted register mechanism or a leak somewhere.
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2007-07-02 20:38
good advice above ....additionally....
1) your instrument "has been tested" by an experienced bass clar tech ?
2) check your left hand position... when I added bass to my ammo, I kept hitting the larger throat g# key.... didn't realise I was doing it. Easy fix.
3) think "loose" esp in altiss.
4) get an experienced bass player to play your complete setup (suitably cleaning m'p of course...) see "teacher germs" thread !!
BobT
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Author: Dano
Date: 2007-07-03 00:29
All good ideas. I tend to think it may be a combination of everything mentioned that I just don't notice while playing ( I miss having a clarinet teacher ). The bass clarinet, my tight lips, and my insistance on obtaining the sound I want without paying attention to the fact that it is a bass clarinet not a soprano. I did notice that I hit keys I don't want to hit because I get lost in the music since I am not considering the fingering "a challange" like I would if I were taking up oboe or french horn. I will take it to a clarinet tech and have it checked out. I am most comfortable with the Fobes Debut mouthpiece and La Voz med reeds although I am starting to think the Debut is too closed and the reeds a little too soft. I may need to try several other mouthpiece-reed combos before I claim I don't know what is wrong. Many thanks.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2007-07-03 05:56
The main reason clarinetists squeak on bass clarinet when they start is they have incorrect air direction and bad shape of their mouth/jaw. That wil improve the more you play, and faster if you have a teacher who is a good bass clarinetist.
Your mouthpiece could be the problem, especially with a bad reed like David said. See if you can try a different mouthpiece, or even better a setup of another player, and have them try yours.
Your instrument could also have a problem. Especially if it has a double register. The main problem that happens is that one register key will open when only the other one is supposed to (most common is that the body register key will open when only the neck key should). Try to see if this happens. Again it is best if you can find a good bass clarinet player to play your instrument.
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Author: buedsma
Date: 2007-07-03 06:49
Also for starters :
Which type of bassclarinet do you play ??
On some models you can inadvertently touch a side key or a rod , but so slightly you don't notice unless you pay attention.
Happens for me when i have to play on a bundy :-)
Did take me some sessons to analyse the problem , because it happens only when i'm "in the music"
gr
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Author: bahamutofskycon
Date: 2007-07-03 14:03
I do quite a bit of doubling on bass clarinet. I always have to remind myself To use a slightly more loose and "rounded" embourchure as well as using more air but less air speed. I really try to "fill up my stomach" and think a big "haah" sound when I play.
Sorry for all the subjective descriptors.
All the other suggestions are excellent.
Steve Ballas
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Author: Max S-D
Date: 2007-07-03 17:50
Also, I've found that the bass clarinet is the instrument that is most sensitive to reed wetness. Soak them thoroughly before playing, when you can (I know that's not always an option). I've found I tend to squeak when I don't get a chance to soak my reeds well and get warmed up.
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