 The Doublers BBoard
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Author: rcnelson
Date: 2007-01-07 01:35
I'm going to be spending part of February and most of March playing this book. One question: can the bass clarinet part be played on B-flat clarinet or tenor sax without much problem OR should we think about renting the bass? I don't own one. The director says it'll work out on something, but I would like to hear from you experts.
Ron
Selmer Mark VI tenor (1957), Selmer Mark VII alto (1975)
Buescher True Tone soprano (1924), Selmer CL210 Bb Clarinet, Gemeinhardt 3SHB Flute, Pearl PFP105 Piccolo
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Author: Jaysne
Date: 2007-01-07 02:55
You won't be able to play it on tenor because the written clarinet parts go below the range of the sax. You could transpose it up an octave, but the bass clarinet is a mellow and quiet instrument, and tenor is much too bright and loud to sub for it.
Bb clarinet won't work either--you will be playing one octave too high the whole time, which doesn't make any sense.
Rent the bass. The parts will sound right and you'll love it.
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Author: Terry Stibal
Date: 2007-01-07 09:45
Furthermore, the part in question has several very exposed solo-type lines (here I'm thinking of the jazzy "big city music" that it plays at one point in particular) that will just sound "wrong" on anything other than a bass clarinet.
It's not the "principal bass clarinet part" (which is in Book IV, if memories of thirty plus years ago are accurate), but it doesn't make the part any less necessary.
leader of Houston's Sounds Of The South Dance Orchestra
info@sotsdo.com
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Author: rcnelson
Date: 2007-01-07 18:20
I knew that rental was probably going to be the option. As it is a volunteer community theater I at least hope they will pay for it. Thanks a lot for the advice.
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Author: rcnelson
Date: 2007-01-29 18:07
An update: a bass clarinet has been acquired. I pick it up later this week. May be back to ask some advice on the thing as it has been a number of years since I played one and then not very much. Stay tuned.
Terry: Reed II has the only bass clarinet parts and some are quite exposed. Looking forward to the challenge.
Ron
Selmer Mark VI tenor (1957), Selmer Mark VII alto (1975)
Buescher True Tone soprano (1924), Selmer CL210 Bb Clarinet, Gemeinhardt 3SHB Flute, Pearl PFP105 Piccolo
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Author: Terry Stibal
Date: 2007-01-30 16:49
If that is the case, then it has been re scored since I have last played it. I had a clarinet/bass clarinet/baritone sax/bass sax book, and the musical director kept complaining about not hearing the bass clarinet solos here and here and here. When I got blue in the face playing what was in my book, he finally pointed out specifically where they were supposed to be heard, and it was only then that we discovered them in the Reed II book.
Nothing like starting in playing an exposed part with no rehearsal or practice (it was opening night). The Reed II due was one of those special people who only played alto sax and clarinet, but I was able to take up the slack from there on out.
As old as Mame is, it's not surprising that things would get shifted around over the years. The worst case of score changes that I've ever seen was with West Side Story, a show that I've done in many different productions over the years, and in all of those times, only twice did I play the same version.
leader of Houston's Sounds Of The South Dance Orchestra
info@sotsdo.com
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Author: rcnelson
Date: 2007-01-30 17:35
This is the reed breakdown we are using:
Reed I: Piccolo, Flute, Clarinet & Alto Saxophone
Reed II: Clarinet, Bass Clarinet & Alto Saxophone (and optional Flute)
Reed III: Clarinet and Tenor Saxophone (and optional Oboe & English Horn)
Reed IV: Clarinet and Baritone Saxophone
Reed V: Clarinet and Tenor Saxophone
Reed I is being covered by a flute/piccolo expert with the clarinet and alto part being played by the guy when they are needed. When not he is going to cover III and/or IV as needed. I have II all to myself. Reed V is optional and we are not using it at all.
For the space we have, 3 reed players with the 4 brass and 4 rhythm is enough.
Ron
Selmer Mark VI tenor (1957), Selmer Mark VII alto (1975)
Buescher True Tone soprano (1924), Selmer CL210 Bb Clarinet, Gemeinhardt 3SHB Flute, Pearl PFP105 Piccolo
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Author: rcnelson
Date: 2007-02-04 21:14
Thanks for the suggestion of getting the bass clarinet. We were fortunate to be able to borrow one in good shape from a local school district (the music director of MAME is the retired department head, so an easy borrow). And, yes, I'm having a ball practicing it. Can't wait to do the show.
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Author: rcnelson
Date: 2007-03-10 17:56
One final entry...opening night of MAME a success. Have learned a lot about the bass clarinet. The major thing is the air stream. I might be able to cheat a bit with the amount of air I use on the Bb or the alto or tenor sax, but without full lungs of air on the bass, I might not get much of a sound. So, this has also helped my sound to be more consistent on the Bb, both alto and tenor sax, and, maybe more importantly, the flute, even when I'm tired and don't want to work as hard.
7 more shows to go. And thanks again for the advice.
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