 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Poseidon455
Date: 2014-09-08 08:01
I am currently searching for a new bass clarinet, and am testing out Low C Bass Clarinets. Since it is marching season and the instruments we currently use are not in the best condition, it has been suggested that I march a Low C bass, even though our band marches Low Eb basses so I would be the only Low C bass on the field. Should I take a Low C onto the field?
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2014-09-08 13:35
No.
#1 reason: weight.
#2 reason: length.
#3 reason: cost.
(besides, I haven't seen a low C bass with a stock lyre screw on it, so this should give you a hint)
--
Ben
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2014-09-08 15:44
The best marching bass clarinet is a tenor sax. Use this as an opportunity to learn to play sax if you don't already. Marching with a bass clarinet is a miserable experience and musically worthless.
BTW Paul, what you say is nonsense. There is no reason for a low-C bass to be inherently more resistant than a low-Eb bass, and in practice they are not, on the average.
Post Edited (2014-09-08 15:45)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-09-08 16:15
Perhaps this is a phenomenon of the past. As I recall from many years ago the Eb Leblancs were amazingly responsive. As I switched a full spectrum Selmer, I was a little taken aback by how much more work it was to play (and it did seal very well). Again, this may no longer be the case.
Similarly in today's instruments I find the Buffets to be a bit more work and prefer the Selmer Privileges.
...............Paul Aviles
Post Edited (2014-09-08 17:43)
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Author: Hurstfarm
Date: 2014-09-08 16:53
No. Unwieldy. Costly. The extended range is unnecessary for marching band repertoire. And harder to play the RH thumb keys when not seated with a floor peg.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-09-08 17:41
Best alternative to marching with a bass clarinet is a bari sax if you need the low range, otherwise you'll not be heard as bass clarinets aren't going to cut through the texture of a full marching band. That's if you want to put up with the weight and awkwardness of marching with a bari sax.
If anything, the lower brass usually have the bass clarinet parts covered and there's usually more needed in the treble range of the upper woodwinds in marching bands, so in all honesty I think bass clarinets are pointless in this setting - piccolos, flutes, Eb and Bb clarinets and alto and tenor saxes should be the only woodwinds used in marching bands.
The only pro level low C bass clarinets that came with lyre fittings as standard were Selmers - they also fitted them to their basset horns and bass clarinets in A, but have since stopped this madness.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2014-09-08 21:47
Well, I know a couple who did. But i guess I fail to see the point of marching band for anyone serious about the clarinet.
Bob Draznik
Post Edited (2014-09-09 01:26)
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Author: davyd
Date: 2014-09-09 04:12
Another NO. Bass clarinets, of any kind, don't belong on the marching field. If learning saxophone isn't possible, then wave a flag, or twirl a baton, or be the drum major or the equipment manager or something. If none of those things are possible either, get a plastic Bb clarinet.
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2014-09-09 05:06
On an Instrumentalist magazine cover several years ago, there was a picture of someone marching with a bass clarinet. I agree that the bass clarinet really doesn't belong in a marching band. The lower saxophones are much better woodwind alternatives.
Speaking of marching with woodwind instruments . . . Has anyone visited the Canadian Parliament Building in Ottawa recently for the changing of the guard ceremony? I was there in the late 70s, and their ceremony with the regimental band was very similar to the well-known Buckingham Palace ceremony. The one thing, though, that was unusual about the Canadian band was their marching bassoon player! I wonder if they're still doing this.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-09-09 05:33
Bob, the point is that marching band is NOT AN OPTION In many places because it supports a thriving football program. Even in my youth (a LONG TIME AGO), it was not a forgone conclusion that a "serious clarinetist" could get out of marching band. I feel for my students - trust me.
............Paul Aviles
Post Edited (2014-09-09 11:06)
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Author: Gandalfe
Date: 2014-09-10 00:35
I can't believe anyone would risk their bass clarinet on the marching field. I think the recommendation to march with a tenor sax is good for a number of reasons. So, what did you decide to do? (Or was this just bait to get us to express our dismay or outrage?)
Jim and Suzy
Pacifica Big Band
Seattle, Washington
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Author: claire Inet
Date: 2014-09-12 15:06
Sorry - a bit off topic, but I got pulled off Bb soprano in the late 70s in HS and put in the drum section for marching season. Director wanted nothing but brass and percussion. You could hear us a mile away, but it wasn't easy when concert season rolled around and the soprano hadn't been out of the case in months (shame on me).
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Author: Poseidon455
Date: 2014-09-15 07:02
Since the marching band I am in does march bass clarinets and does not march tenor saxes, I've decided to keep the Low C off the field and use the one the school provides, even though it is in a relatively poor condition.
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Author: blazian
Date: 2014-09-15 10:17
Attachment: 1916122_209465145307_46259_n.jpg (70k)
I marched bass clarinet in high school. As much as I'd like to think I contributed, I don't think anybody really heard me. I have heard bass clarinet solis in marching band, but there were at least eight of them. And they were playing on low C basses. Go figure.
My vote is still a solid no. Props to you for contributing to the visual effects of the band.
The attached picture is just proof that I played bass clarinet in marching band.
- Martin
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Author: Zebedee
Date: 2014-09-16 20:05
Another No.
You'll be forever holding it away from your body and when you start to tire, you WILL kick the bottom of a Low C Bass and feel the effect through your teeth !
Also, as per the other comments, no one will hear you.
One last thing, I used an Eb Clarinet on the march. First time was just because my Alto Sax was in the 'shop' and I just grabbed an Eb instrument from the stores, but the other times there was 2 Alto's due to go on the march I did it on purpose and it was a lot of fun.
I stood next to the Piccolo player to make sure we were in tune and 'let rip'.
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Author: ruben
Date: 2014-09-17 16:02
Bob and Paul: I fully agree with both of you. I don't see anything musical about a marching band and there is a paramilitaristic side to it which I find distasteful. As for a university music department forcing a serious music student to take part in one...an aberration! I like the New Orleans funeral bands though. Funerals are, however, more useful than football games.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2014-09-17 18:51
IMNSHO, marching a bass clarinet is prima facie evidence that the band director is incompetent.
jnk
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Author: HANGARDUDE
Date: 2014-10-04 21:48
IMHO the only mobile band that is right for any kind of clarinet is the Bavarian band. Marching bands are out of the question.
Josh
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2014-10-05 01:45
There are people who think the reason for a SCHOOL to exist is for football, so of course the music department is only there to provide a marching band for f'ball. :-)
For me (as an engineering major because I didn't like the music choices, that's another story)- I was in marching band at UH exactly one fall semester (1971) in order to fulfill the state mandated physical education requirement. And I'm sure a bunch of other marchers were there for the same reason. Do these PE requirements still exist? ...in all states? ...federally mandated? Does marching band still satisfy them? Should it? Come to think of it, getting out of regular PE was an excellent reason I was in high school marching band as well.
And I recall all those years back reading the course catalog where it said that any music major at UH was required to be registered EVERY SEMESTER for at least one of... marching band, concert band, chorus, (other choices? I don't remember). And I'm quite sure that without that requirement, all those organizations might die for lack of participation. Of course, the fact that band took 20 hr of effort per week for 1 credit hour might be part of the problem.
Anyway, I am so glad I did both HS and UH marching band. They were both lots of fun (mixed with hard work), and I'm grateful for the memories.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
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Author: DougR
Date: 2014-10-06 06:15
Asking strictly from ignorance, but are there bass clarinet PARTS for marching band?
And if so, for God's sake, WHY?
Well, anyway, if it's a requirement, it's a requirement, and might as well make the best of it. Nobody'll be able to tell if you're making a sound or not, so save your reeds and just breathe through the mouthpiece like a snorkel. I suppose you could sing through the instrument, instead of play--your voice probably would carry farther than the bass clarinet sound anyhow. You could leave the mouthpiece off entirely and see if you can develop a trombone embouchure on the neck pipe tenon (on the principle of the old-timey keyed bugles).
Nah, probably what you'll end up doing is using a decent reed and trying your best to play in tune with the 3 people around you who can hear you, and telling your friends in the crowd afterwards, "Guys, I'm so sorry about that wrong note!! And I practiced real hard, too!!"
I did marching band in HS (clarinet) and college (alto sax) and loathed it both times. Hope you can wring some fun out of the experience.
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