 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bluesparkle
Date: 2009-10-24 11:58
Just got my newly overhauled Evette Schaeffer bass back from the shop yesterday. Got a new case for it, new swab, new reeds, new ligature, and working on getting the right mouthpiece.
My tech says it was most likely manufactured in the '50s, but it shines like new now...especially the bell. He cut the neck and adjusted it so it's at about a 40-45 degree angle. There's a patch on the neck so it doesn't look perfect, but WOW what a difference! I can actually hold the instrument in a natural position, and when I play F or open G, no neck strap is needed to keep it from falling forward. Doesn't have a register key on the neck like some of the higher-end models, but it'll work for church orchestra for sure.
As a soprano Bb player for years, I was skeptical about the bass. Seems the kids who played bass in the band were put there because they couldn't cut it on the "normal" clarinet. They always squeaked and pretty much sounded like they couldn't play. Spitty, reedy sound, etc. I guess I was a clarinet diva of sorts.
However, when my church orchestra director asked me to play bass (since our tuba player is a 7th grader), I decided to "help out" and do it. Now, I'm completely addicted. I think there's something even therapeudic about it. Big, deep breaths that get thoroughly used, a more physical effort required with your hands, and rich, meaty notes that just put the bottom on the whole ensemble.
So, if you are a soprano player feeling stressed out, pick up a bass. It's as satisfying as a good exercise session without the sweat or sore muscles.
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2009-10-24 12:23
>>As a soprano Bb player for years, I was skeptical about the bass. Seems the kids who played bass in the band were put there because they couldn't cut it on the "normal" clarinet. They always squeaked and pretty much sounded like they couldn't play.>>
Band directors who shuffle their worst players onto the "harmony clarinets" should listen to Eric Dolphy and Hamiet Bluiett and learn something.
>>So, if you are a soprano player feeling stressed out, pick up a bass.>>
Or, do what I did a few years ago and drop all the way down to a contra!
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2009-10-24 16:29
>> So, if you are a soprano player feeling stressed out, pick up a bass.
> Or, do what I did a few years ago and drop all the way down to a contra!
I'm open to all kinds of sponsors. ![[tongue]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie6.gif)
Seriously - a season of "long notes" on bass will do wonders to your soprano stamina. It definitely is a workout, and it's a clumsy beast to carry around, but on the other hand, when you can witness the plaster cracking and falling from the ceiling, all while you're playing - priceless.
--
Ben
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Author: William
Date: 2009-10-24 21:20
As a former band director, I used to let anyone switch from soprano to bass clarinet who wanted to, and quite often it was a "one way street" with a long waiting line. My bass clarinets never rested on the shelf for long and most kids who played for more than a year learned to play from the low Eb up to D6 with relative ease (in spite of the Bundy's and Vito's). All Selmer mouthpieces helped......
Personally, bass clarineting is just the most fun. Also, it seems to make playing all my other ww doubles easier as well--soprano cls, sax & flute. Probably because it forces me to think more about breath control and voicing which is such a critical part of playing in the clarion register. I love it and enjoy every downbeat on bass.
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Author: Coomkeen
Date: 2009-10-25 08:28
As a tenor Sax player, and soprano clarinet player of a whole 2 weeks experience I find this thread really interesting.
Unfortunately, around here bass clarinets are like hens teeth, otherwise I'd go out now and try one.
I've found (via the now traditional Google search) an interesting video clip by Michael Harris about the bass clarinet...
http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/thesoundexchange/the_orchestra/instruments/clarinet/range/?PHPSESSID=p
But a couple of questions for you all:
1. Do you think the metal bell, as opposed to wood which would be a nightmare to make, makes a difference to the sound?
2. Do you know of anyone playing jazz on a bass clarinet?
(youtube clips appreciated)
Ron
Ron
www.coomkeen.com
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2009-10-25 11:25
Ron,
Eddie daniels has some jazz takes with a bass clarinet. One of my favorites is Blue Bossa Nova. Can't find it on youtube, but his CD with bucky pizzarelli is worth checking out.
Alexi
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2009-10-25 15:27
Don Byron plays jazz on bass clarinet. Look for Eric Dolphy on youtube.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: lrooff
Date: 2009-10-25 15:48
As far as the bass being a "dumping ground" for kids who can't handle the Bb, directors would do better to follow the example of my jr. high band director. We were a brand-new school, just opened that year, and at the first band practice, he told us that while we had plenty of clarinet players, we didn't have anyone to play the bass and alto clarinets, so he would be holding auditions to see who got to play them. There were several of us who tried out for each, and he picked the best. He made it clear this way that the harmony clarinets aren't just an overflow bin for the worst players. (I won the audition for bass, and wish I owned the school instrument -- a brand-new wooden LeBlanc bass clarinet.)
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Author: GeorgeL ★2017
Date: 2009-10-25 15:53
A bass clarinetist will have more solo passages with a concert band than every Bb clarinetist other than the 1st chair player. If you are not a good enough player to be the star of the clarinet section (and statistically, only one in twelve clarinetists achieve that position), your chances of being noticed are much better with a bass clarinet.
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Author: blazian
Date: 2009-10-26 00:04
I'm a lucky clarinetist that got to switch! I was the bottom of my section in the top band (so about the top third of the clarinets which isn't too bad) and I asked to switch down (pitch-wise) to bass clarinet. Wow what a change. I had way too much fun my first day. A few months later I ended up with my first concert band solo. It was a nice challenge because it required octave jumps. Since then, I've been the top of MY section, getting important solos. This UIL season I get a transposed bassoon part for Variations on a Theme by Schumann. Yay for no bassoons! It's basically a solo x2.
That reminds me, I need to identify the bass I'm using right now. I think it's a Selmer 34 but I'm not sure.
- Martin
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2009-10-26 00:26
GREAT comments, William et al, they are much like my intro to many pleasant years of "bottoming out" the chords , with a few "solos". I later tried to promote the fine alto cl's contributions to our concert band's cl "choir" parts, with some success. Yes, I also found improvement in my Bb sop ability. Also, TKS Wm for your earlier E-M info, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: ShazamaPajama
Date: 2009-10-26 06:11
i played contra bass clarinet at UNLV for a year, it was the expensive rosewood selmer model, and it actually really helped my soprano playing. It made my diaphragm harder and helped my air support and air reserve (if there is such a thing)
but for the first month of playing that 6 foot tall beast i did not sound good, but after becoming acclimated with the thing, when i got a good sounds.. wow.. it was phenomenal.
so i think i agree with the points being made. bass/harmony clarinets are pretty awesome and even though they may have their own certain challenges, they offer a refreshing escape from all the runs and trills and angry looks from maestros . haha
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Author: Coomkeen
Date: 2009-10-26 07:50
Think you lot have convinced me.
Many thanks Claudia for starting this thread.
Little story...
I used to play electric bass (guitar) in a knock-about band and throughly enjoyed it.
It was part the fact that there was only one, and partly being the 'root' as it were of the chords.
(Had to keep the drummer in line too ![[happy]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley12.gif) .
Now I play tenor Sax in a small mostly brass ensemble which includes sop cl and flutes.
I sit next to the bass trombone and mostly end up playing 'next-one-up' from him.
Often get envious of his part as he definitely lays down the foundations.
Now I'm trying to change to sop cl, as a double, but bass clarinet has all the appeal of the sound and the part, especially as I've been asked to join a very local new amateur orchestra (mostly I think to make up the numbers ).
Has anyone here used or tried the Jupiter 637N?
Is it any good as a start?
Ron
Ron
www.coomkeen.com
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Author: Bluesparkle
Date: 2009-10-26 15:32
Glad to have another convert, Ron.
I rented a Frankenstein of a horn before I bought mine, just to see if I could wrestle the beast. I think it was a Bundy, although there were no markings. It had been a school instrument, so it was pretty rough, but for the first couple of months, it gave me an idea of what I needed and wanted in an instrument of my own.
For what I do, I don't have to have anything fancy, so I just went with a name brand that's been around a long time and had it overhauled. Paid $355 for the instrument itself, another $400 for the key-off overhaul, and bought new accessories, including mouthpiece and case. I probably have $1,000 total in it now, which is well worth the therapeudic effects it provides.
Other, more experienced players can offer better advice regarding the Jupiter, specifically. My local music store didn't have a rental contract that required a certain time for the rental, so I kept it for 3 months and turned it back in last week when mine was ready. Might be a good way to start to find out what you like and don't like.
I make my debut with my "new old" bass Wednesday night at 6:30 for orchestra rehearsal. Counting the hours, and plan to arrive early to show it off...
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-10-26 18:09
The bass clarinet is what's it's all about. Beautiful sounds, large range, great look, especially with my gold plated neck and bell. Go Bass Clarinet! ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-10-26 19:52
You could combine the thoughts here in this thread with comments about the "Buffet Mafia" and call the story "The Sopranos." Oh wait....someone already did that.
Jeff
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2009-10-27 03:59
>> Has anyone here used or tried the Jupiter 637N?
>> Is it any good as a start?
Yes, it's definitely ok as a start.
Bass clarinets vary in the response of some parts of the clarion register. Especailly with single register like the Jupiter and other student models. It is possible to play the entire register with the Jupiter model, but another student model that is a little easier to play, with better tone and response, is Yamaha 221II. It is also more comfortable IMO. It is only a little more expensive than Jupiter and I think worth it.
The only reasons I would go with the Jupiter are 1. You really can't afford the extra for the Yamaha. 2. You can't find a Yamaha locally and it could be a problem ordering without trying. 3. You have especially good deal for a used Jupiter model.
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Author: Coomkeen
Date: 2009-10-27 08:03
Thanks Nitai, and everyone.
To actually try bass clarinets I think it's a trip to England (I live in Ireland).
There is one shop in Dublin (5 hour drive away) who advertise the Jupiter and a Yamaha YCL221, but all prices are one and a half times the price in England. The difference would pay for the ferry fare!
Very sad.
Thanks again.
Ron
www.coomkeen.com
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2009-10-27 08:57
For the price difference between the U.S. and Switzerland, I could fly to New York and get me a nice hotel for a few days...
--
Ben
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2009-10-27 12:19
The more I play the bass, the more I like it. Wonderful horn and often times you have neat parts in both symphonic and concert band venues. After years of playing mainly Eefer, it was a switch from playing the melody but a nice switch as I now listen for the more internal parts in pieces of all types. Also it's nice to hear things like "You have lovely sound on bass."
As mentioned above, the bass seems to give you a better set of lungs and chops for other instruments too. Win, win!
Eefer guy
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2009-10-27 13:36
>>2. Do you know of anyone playing jazz on a bass clarinet?
>>
Hamiett Bluiett is better known for baritone sax, but he also plays bass and contra clarinets. He's a true modernist in that his music is hard to characterize: a fusion of free-jazz, swing, traditional African, blues and classical.
Another exceptional bass clarinet player: Michael Lowenstern. His CD "Spasm" includes his own title piece and last track, along with works by others, all still living except George Gershwin. The most familiar piece on the disc is Lowenstern's adaptation of Gershwin's "Summertime." I've found that album difficult, frankly (much of it not to my personal taste), but I've listened to it quite a few times anyway, because it's fabulous playing.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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The Clarinet Pages
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