Short Synopsis on the Bass Clarinet

Description

The bass clarinet, very popular in today's music, is a highly difficult instrument to master - it is not always easy to handle, even if you already play another similar instrument, such as the soprano clarinet or saxophone (often musicians who play the tenor saxophone are attracted to the bass clarinet for reasons of tessitura and tone).

Coming from these instruments, people often think that they will adapt to the instrument automatically and that fluency will come by playing. However, the bass clarinet is not a "byproduct" but an instrument in its own right, which is demanding, in particular with respect to the embouchure and air column which are very different from the soprano clarinet or the saxophone.

We have put together a few exercises that are specific to this instrument, to help master its tessitura and its registers, as well as a few tips in order to facilitate initial contact with the instrument and to help overcome any difficulties inherent to the bass clarinet.

In addition to advice on the equipment and materials that you can use, you will find a description of the most commonly used techniques and effects (such as slap tongue or growl), and to finish off, a few pieces of music in different styles to perfect your playing and apply the principles we have presented you.

Learning to play the bass clarinet can be highly unrewarding at the beginning and the feeling of total mastery is only achieved several months after the first notes have been played. It is therefore necessary to work carefully on a few precise points right from the start, and on a very regular basis, because only a very frequent contact with the instrument will enable you to reach the point where you can play in a comfortable and relaxed manner.