Author: JEG ★2017
Date: 2022-12-21 23:49
From my own experience - I began playing bass clarinet in college, using the school's Leblanc. Honestly, I don't remember the model. I had one bass clarinet lesson with my teacher at the time, Felix Viscuglia, who told me to approach the bass clarinet like a big clarinet. I have tried to apply that wisdom over the years with a good deal of success.
When I finally got serious about playing bass I borrowed the money to buy a new Selmer Model 33. Playing that instrument was a revelation after the Leblanc; the clarion register spoke beautifully and the low register was particularly resonant. I still have that instrument 51 years later. I also have an excellent mouthpiece by Bill Street.
I have tweaked Viscuglia's advice a little over the years. My variation is that the bass clarinet is just like a clarinet, only more so. Meaning that any quirks, such as top line F#, are magnified on bass. The key to overcoming such quirks, to me, is to try to remain consistent from clarinet to bass clarinet, allowing for the fact that the bass instrument is larger. That pertains to breath support, fingering and embouchure. If you develop good habits on one instrument you should be able to transfer those habits to the other.
Try to find a mouthpiece/reed combination that is comfortable. Don't go for anything that is too resistant; it's better to start soft and if you feel that you are overpowering your setup go harder.
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The Clarinet BBoard
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