Bass Clarinet?

Question

I've played regular clarinet for about 5 years now............but I just now am starting to play bass clarinet....I've only had it for like 2 days.....I'm playing it for marching band...but theres one problem...I can't play a middle C or B and I don't know why?

Yes it's been to the shop twice and been checked...idk it's someting with my mouth or what.

Answer 1

Can you play those notes in sequence - if you're playing a scale, do they speak?  Or do they not speak at all?  I'd suggest blowing faster (not harder) - try and move the air through the instrument quicker.  Also, make sure you're supporting the air column properly.  Two days is not a huge amount of time to get used to a new instrument - and while a lot of what you know from clarinet will transfer to bass clarinet, there are a few new technique things you'll have to figure out.  Keep at it, play scales (boring I know but they'll help!) and the other thing which helps is playing studies - my teacher used to give me the Bach solo cello suites which were very very good for technique work.  And have fun!  I loved playing bass clarinet and I miss it :)

Answer 2

wow. your school marches bass clarinets?!

that's crazy!!

anyways, because you are just now playing it, it could just be that you are trying to adjust to it. just keep trying.

play long tones and etc.

sorry i'm not much of any help!!

try to get your director to help you out.

Answer 3

On top of what Anna said (great advice, by the way)... make sure you are using the correct pinky keys!  This is always an issue for me for the first 20 minutes switching to bass clarinet... I am a doubler, so my pinkies get confused a lot! LOL  

Between clarinet, bass clarinet, bari sax, oboe, and flute... Ha! My pinky's never know what they're doing! Haha  

Just work slow, and do a lot of chromatics in your middle range.  Try to not lift your fingers too high, as that will dissorient your fingers.  Also, keep in mind that the resistance is different... you're still crossing the break, so you may have to work with your airflow and embouchure a bit more.  Give it a few more days of CONSISTANT practice (note: not marathon practice), and I'm sure you'll get it.

Good luck, and have fun! :)