This series has been so helpful for me as a bass clarinetist getting her chops back after a hiatus and as a teacher of beginning clarinets and alto saxes. (ten and eleven-year-olds...) Using these tips to begin with is making a big difference in their articulation. I'm going to have all my students watch this. Thank you!
The main problem with watching Earspasm Music 's videos is that I feel the need to drop everything and practice Right Now. Practicing is my treat this afternoon after I get my word count for #NaNoWriMo :)
Thank you so much.... getting back into playing and realizing I want to play bass clarinet all the time.... this is exactly the refresher I need to get back into basics... stuff we don't hear enough from too many band teachers...and I'm one that teaches strings actually... Awesome information and great perspective.... bravo!!!
Earspasm Music I'm planning on doing it soon, I want a hard copy before it goes out. By throat harmonics, I mean 1:48 on your Vandoren endorsement, or half the songs on Edmund Welles Tooth and Claw CD.
Your videos are brilliant. I've always found articulation to be more of a challenge on the larger instruments (i.e. Bass Cl. and Tenor Sax), than on the smaller instruments. Should you feel the tongue brushing against the reed every time you articulate a note?
"Brushing" isn't a word I'd use to describe the way you tongue. It's much more pointed than that, like a valve that closes off the vibration of the reed. If you brush against the reed, the tongue isn't acting as efficiently as it should, and you get "reed" sound in your articulation. You simply want the reed to start (or stop) vibrating.
Thanks for this video! When you play staccato actually you like saying “tat-tat” with a tip of your tongue, right? And how do you start the sound: air and tongue go at the same time? or the air goes a little bit earlier than a tongue? Would appreciate your reply)Thank you in advance.
Would you suggest any good gear that would be good for marching bass clarinet? the reason being is that I just use a separate reed (3) and the same ligature, I am curious on your thoughts for people marching bass clarinet as well because I am one of few!
I'm afraid this is not my area of expertise. I have never marched -- even once -- with a bass clarinet. That said, I'd suggest you use a belt strap (vandoren makes one) instead of a neck strap. I'd suggest maybe considering a cushion for the beak of your mouthpiece so your teeth don't slip. And I would definitely suggest NOT using a wood bass clarinet, because the temperature changes will cause it to crack.
Larsthescout I marched for a year in high school with a bass clarinet (a plastic Yamaha also) but ended up doubling on bari sax for marching because it just wasn't working out for me. (My band director was fine with the switch, I went to a very small high school with only a few parades a year and no field shows) I second the recommendation for a belt strap.
My tone sounds the same as yours, but I move my jaw. How does that affect my ability to play the instrument. I can't play certain notes without moving my jaw. No one else in my section does this, but I am the "best" player.
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This series has been so helpful for me as a bass clarinetist getting her chops back after a hiatus and as a teacher of beginning clarinets and alto saxes. (ten and eleven-year-olds...) Using these tips to begin with is making a big difference in their articulation. I'm going to have all my students watch this. Thank you!
The main problem with watching Earspasm Music 's videos is that I feel the need to drop everything and practice Right Now. Practicing is my treat this afternoon after I get my word count for #NaNoWriMo :)
Thank you so much.... getting back into playing and realizing I want to play bass clarinet all the time.... this is exactly the refresher I need to get back into basics... stuff we don't hear enough from too many band teachers...and I'm one that teaches strings actually...
Awesome information and great perspective.... bravo!!!
This was so helpful! Especially the little note about how our jaws shouldn't be moving when we play!
Would you be able to do a video on throat harmonics please?
Maybe, if you buy my record -- oh and if you tell me what a throat harmonic is. ;)
Earspasm Music I'm planning on doing it soon, I want a hard copy before it goes out. By throat harmonics, I mean 1:48 on your Vandoren endorsement, or half the songs on Edmund Welles Tooth and Claw CD.
TurboHertz Then I'll plan on making the video soon ;)
Well I just bought the CD, so it's your turn. ;)
Your videos are brilliant. I've always found articulation to be more of a challenge on the larger instruments (i.e. Bass Cl. and Tenor Sax), than on the smaller instruments. Should you feel the tongue brushing against the reed every time you articulate a note?
"Brushing" isn't a word I'd use to describe the way you tongue. It's much more pointed than that, like a valve that closes off the vibration of the reed. If you brush against the reed, the tongue isn't acting as efficiently as it should, and you get "reed" sound in your articulation. You simply want the reed to start (or stop) vibrating.
Thanks for this video! When you play staccato actually you like saying “tat-tat” with a tip of your tongue, right?
And how do you start the sound: air and tongue go at the same time? or the air goes a little bit earlier than a tongue? Would appreciate your reply)Thank you in advance.
Would you suggest any good gear that would be good for marching bass clarinet?
the reason being is that I just use a separate reed (3) and the same ligature, I am curious on your thoughts for people marching bass clarinet as well because I am one of few!
I'm afraid this is not my area of expertise. I have never marched -- even once -- with a bass clarinet. That said, I'd suggest you use a belt strap (vandoren makes one) instead of a neck strap. I'd suggest maybe considering a cushion for the beak of your mouthpiece so your teeth don't slip. And I would definitely suggest NOT using a wood bass clarinet, because the temperature changes will cause it to crack.
Earspasm Music thank you for those pointers and at the moment I am using a plastic yamaha bass clarinet
Larsthescout I marched for a year in high school with a bass clarinet (a plastic Yamaha also) but ended up doubling on bari sax for marching because it just wasn't working out for me. (My band director was fine with the switch, I went to a very small high school with only a few parades a year and no field shows) I second the recommendation for a belt strap.
Mary M. Cooper thanks im going to buy a belt strap when i get the money
Hello! What part of the tongue do you touch the reed?
The tip of the tongue.
Im looking to buy a clarinet and I see that some have more keys than others and im afraid to buy the wrong one what can I do?
I might be late... but which keys are extra?
My tone sounds the same as yours, but I move my jaw. How does that affect my ability to play the instrument. I can't play certain notes without moving my jaw. No one else in my section does this, but I am the "best" player.