Bass Clarinet., How difficult is it to play? Options

[groovyang]

Hello

I play the clarinet, did grade 5 last year, but am playing g7 syllabus at mo. I have been asked to play bass clarinet in a local band. I know the fingering is the same, but Im worried about whether I will be able to manage it. Is the embouchure much different etc??

Can any bass players out there enlighten me and give me any tips for easier adpation to the bass?

many thanks

ang.

[Morgan's Munchkin]

The bass should be fine - you need looser enbouchure but thats about it. I can play the bass and have only been playing the clarinet since July (doing grade 5). To be honest - I prefer the bass (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[groovyang]

I have heard that it is more fun to play. Thats a relief then. What about the reeds? do you need to lower the strength, or can you keep to the same strength that you would choose for regular Bb clarinet?

[Morgan's Munchkin]

I would say try the same. Maybe go down a strength depending what you use. I use a 2 on normal and either a 1.5 or a 2 on bass.

[hero]

Yes, go for it, groovyang, it is actually "groovy" to play! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

On serious note, it is not difficult, you will soon get used to slightly looser embouchure. Make sure that you open your throat nice and wide! I find that using even more support from diaphram helps to achieve higher notes.

Anyway, have fun!
hero

[sleepylioness]

I also used to enjoy playing the bass. The B flat contrabass was even better - I had to hold back for fear of causing structural damage to the buildings I was playing in (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Tips for playing the bass: first, get the instrument checked over. Bass clarinets are notoriously sensitive beasts, and there are some real old crocks out there. I once borrowed one from the local university wind band, and discovered it was only held together by 5 rubber bands! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

Second, you will need to be a lot more relaxed and have a looser embouchure than for ordinary clarinet. I found that playing the bass actually helped my clarinet playing immensely because it helped me to relax and really use my breath properly.

I'd suggest you try reeds a little softer than you use for clarinet, but you'll need to experiment and see what works for you. It also depends on what you'll need to play - if you're doing oom-pah type accompaniments in the lower register, then you need a soft reed and you should find it quite easy. If you're playing solos in the middle register you'll need a slightly harder reed and excellent breath and embouchure control.

If the latter, I suggest you consider having a couple of lessons with a teacher experienced in playing bass. And I heartily recommend Jean Marc Volta's Bass Clarinet Method for a tutor book - it's so good that when I used to teach clarinet (long ago ...) I used to use it as a general tutor for ordinary clarinet, adapted slightly. It's brilliant on breathing and control.

[Morgan's Munchkin]

I agree about getting it checked over. The one I play has a habit of losing all it's keywork at the most inappropriate moments!

[sleepylioness]

Haha, mine used to do that when the rubber bands snapped (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clarinet.gif)

Thought of something else - you'll need to decide whether to use a strap, and if so whether to have it round your neck or to sit on it ... the main thing is to ensure you have a comfortable posture and aren't slouching or twisting. Personally I like sitting back a little and letting the bass fall towards me to keep it balanced, and I hate neck straps, but people have widely differing views about this.

Also, if you're female like me, choose your clothes carefully (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) My former teacher used to tell how she was playing bass on stage in a long flowing dress, stood up to take the applause, the spike got caught in the skirt and ripped the skirt out of the dress ... and once I was playing in a show, wearing a short full skirt which zipped at the side. I was using my abdominal muscles hard to support the sound, stood up at the end and the skirt hit the ground because I'd managed to push so hard it'd unzipped ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

[Morgan's Munchkin]

Haha, mine used to do that when the rubber bands snapped (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clarinet.gif)

Thought of something else - you'll need to decide whether to use a strap, and if so whether to have it round your neck or to sit on it ... the main thing is to ensure you have a comfortable posture and aren't slouching or twisting. Personally I like sitting back a little and letting the bass fall towards me to keep it balanced, and I hate neck straps, but people have widely differing views about this.

Also, if you're female like me, choose your clothes carefully (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) My former teacher used to tell how she was playing bass on stage in a long flowing dress, stood up to take the applause, the spike got caught in the skirt and ripped the skirt out of the dress ... and once I was playing in a show, wearing a short full skirt which zipped at the side. I was using my abdominal muscles hard to support the sound, stood up at the end and the skirt hit the ground because I'd managed to push so hard it'd unzipped ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

Indeed - dress as though you were playing a cello (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Again, the strap is something to experiment with - I prefer not to use one, and again just let the bass lean back a bit.

[groovyang]

Thank you all very much for your support and comments. I am really looking forward to getting the bass now, and will definately look up the book recommended.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)