So back when Video Games Live played here in Utah, during one of the intermissions, I called out to Lee down on the stage and asked him to, "Give us a low C!" And he did. And it was wonderful. And my friends and I cheered. From this moment on, this fantastic musician has been labelled "Low C Lee" among my friends.
I miss playing my Bass Clarinet. I switched to Bass in 7th grade, and I loved it so much. I wish I could play in my college band, but I don't have time. :(
Once you graduate, get a cheaper model and join a community band or orchestra. Its definitely worth it if you used to love the instrument. And if you decide you dont love it anymore after a while of trying it, then selling the instrument shouldn't be too difficult to get basically all money back. Most bass clarinets retain their value very well, especially if you buy used
Absolutely AMAZING!! 😍 I haven’t played in 28 years!! Cannot believe I’m old enough to even say that number!! But you’ve convinced me to get back on Bass Clarinet and my goal is to perform on stage within 2 years from today!
originally a pro big band drummer I decided on reaching eighty years of age I couldnt be bothered humping drums around anymore ! I had played clarinet for my own amusement for many years so it was natural to continue playing and joined a rehearsal orchestra. I was so impressed with a piece of music I was given to play and having noticed it was written for bass clarinet I went on Ebay and bought one ! I havent looked back since and soon I hope to join a "classical" orchestra. What prompted me to post this is like Lee (although well short of his expertise) I also play bass guitar in a swing band !!
I was playing flute in my high school band, and everything was new to me. During one rehearsal, I heard The Yellow Rose of Texas played by this amazing, deep, rich toned instrument: the bass clarinet. I was instantly in love. I played flute (3rd chair) for another year before I switched over to the BC. By far, my favorite times in band was spent on the BC. Turns out, the dexterity I learned from playing flute, paid off. I was First Chair All State in my senior year.
Thanks for a great explanation and demonstration. My daughter is in her 3rd year of clarinet and I've never seen her so excited about discovering a new instrument. She was thinking of doubling up on either sax or bassoon, but one listen to this video and she is hooked on the bass clarinet. I appreciate Thierry going over the entire range and also the incredible volume control of this instrument. I hope more kids watch this video to enjoy the passion you share, and parents to watch it to realize that there is a world more of possibility to the clarinet than just what their kids practice on.
It does wake up the bass voices, but the bass also can really sing in the baritone register; I played bass since 6th grade but haven't played in years. Still have mine and it's still probably playable; I always get a kick out of seeing bass players professionally. Glad to see you playing it here.
I love playing the bass clarinet. In my senior year in high school they had me play bass clarinet in their jazz band. We put a microphone in the bell and ran it to an amplifier. We used reverb and delay and all sorts of different effects with it. And I was doing that flutter tongue didn’t know that that’s what it was called.
Fascinating! I'm in my late twenties and have only been playing Clarinet for a few years (played F horn for most of my life but I actually don't like it). I fell in love with clarinet immediately after playing the first open G on the B-flat. I've always admired the bass clarinet. I'm really wondering if it's possible at all to build up the skills to be a professional player in a matter of a few years by the time I'm in my mid-thirties. I have huge goals of playing with Symphonic bands and Symphony orchestras.
That was wonderfully refreshing. Many musicians are great at playing but not very good at explain their craft. Especially to the lay person. On your next video, perhaps you can speak a bit more about the structure of the instrument, how its played (positions etc.), the different types of bass clarinet and its place within the clarinet hierarchy.
I remember as a kid watching the film Jason and the Argonauts and wondering what instrument made those beautiful sounds many,many years later I found out it was the bass clarinet....Amazing sound.
My best friend has 2 clarinet and 1 bass clarinet his father's best friend was a professional clarinetist he was the soloist clarinet player for the orchestra me and my friends went to In 2011
Amazing presentation! I have a question: Is the bass clarinet an instrument that emits a lot of natural harmonics? Because I hear the low voice and also some higher notes when he plays.
3:32 everything about that was surprisingly bad from thr super high pitched yet soft squeak right before the first note came out right to the last altissimo note that was voiced terribly.... wow.
When you own two bass clarinets, you must be liven' good.
or maybe he is a professional that needs a bass clarinet and a back up to make money
Jeff, I know it’s been several months, but the comment was a play on the performer’s last name, “Livengood”.
See what you did there
i only own 2 regular trash clarinets
I love this setup. A professional low C bass with a golden Das Blashaus neck and a wood bell.
So back when Video Games Live played here in Utah, during one of the intermissions, I called out to Lee down on the stage and asked him to, "Give us a low C!" And he did. And it was wonderful. And my friends and I cheered. From this moment on, this fantastic musician has been labelled "Low C Lee" among my friends.
Alto clarinet player here who just got a bass clarinet last weekend. So far I like it!
Alto clarinetist, huh? I really want to start playing alto. I play all the others, but I haven't been able to find an alto anywhere!
I miss playing my Bass Clarinet. I switched to Bass in 7th grade, and I loved it so much. I wish I could play in my college band, but I don't have time. :(
Megan Maize I
When it something you love doing you make time. Think about it.
Once you graduate, get a cheaper model and join a community band or orchestra. Its definitely worth it if you used to love the instrument. And if you decide you dont love it anymore after a while of trying it, then selling the instrument shouldn't be too difficult to get basically all money back. Most bass clarinets retain their value very well, especially if you buy used
Absolutely AMAZING!! 😍
I haven’t played in 28 years!! Cannot believe I’m old enough to even say that number!! But you’ve convinced me to get back on Bass Clarinet and my goal is to perform on stage within 2 years from today!
originally a pro big band drummer I decided on reaching eighty years of age I couldnt be bothered humping drums around anymore ! I had played clarinet for my own amusement for many years so it was natural to continue playing and joined a rehearsal orchestra. I was so impressed with a piece of music I was given to play and having noticed it was written for bass clarinet I went on Ebay and bought one ! I havent looked back since and soon I hope to join a "classical" orchestra. What prompted me to post this is like Lee (although well short of his expertise) I also play bass guitar in a swing band !!
I was playing flute in my high school band, and everything was new to me. During one rehearsal, I heard The Yellow Rose of Texas played by this amazing, deep, rich toned instrument: the bass clarinet. I was instantly in love. I played flute (3rd chair) for another year before I switched over to the BC. By far, my favorite times in band was spent on the BC. Turns out, the dexterity I learned from playing flute, paid off. I was First Chair All State in my senior year.
WOW! I made Honors All State ILMEA my senior year as well!
Thanks for a great explanation and demonstration. My daughter is in her 3rd year of clarinet and I've never seen her so excited about discovering a new instrument. She was thinking of doubling up on either sax or bassoon, but one listen to this video and she is hooked on the bass clarinet. I appreciate Thierry going over the entire range and also the incredible volume control of this instrument. I hope more kids watch this video to enjoy the passion you share, and parents to watch it to realize that there is a world more of possibility to the clarinet than just what their kids practice on.
About the range expect two maybe three if she has some natural talent as bass clarinets don’t like going as apposed to a tenor sax
Actually, Lee Livengood presented in this video. Thierry is the director of the orchestra.
such a mysterious instrument like a celesta or an organ
Yes! Was wondering if he would play that solo in Shostakovich's 7th symphony. Glad he did. Such a beautiful tone and melody. Cool video.
It does wake up the bass voices, but the bass also can really sing in the baritone register; I played bass since 6th grade but haven't played in years. Still have mine and it's still probably playable; I always get a kick out of seeing bass players professionally. Glad to see you playing it here.
This dude is actually living my dream.
What an incredibly soulful instrument. Love it.
I have been playing Bb bass clarinet for two years and love it.
I love playing the bass clarinet. In my senior year in high school they had me play bass clarinet in their jazz band. We put a microphone in the bell and ran it to an amplifier. We used reverb and delay and all sorts of different effects with it. And I was doing that flutter tongue didn’t know that that’s what it was called.
Am a bass clarinet player AND I LOVE IT
Great tone, renowned mouthpiece maker/resurfacer. Nice video.
Fascinating! I'm in my late twenties and have only been playing Clarinet for a few years (played F horn for most of my life but I actually don't like it). I fell in love with clarinet immediately after playing the first open G on the B-flat. I've always admired the bass clarinet. I'm really wondering if it's possible at all to build up the skills to be a professional player in a matter of a few years by the time I'm in my mid-thirties. I have huge goals of playing with Symphonic bands and Symphony orchestras.
That was wonderfully refreshing. Many musicians are great at playing but not very good at explain their craft. Especially to the lay person.
On your next video, perhaps you can speak a bit more about the structure of the instrument, how its played (positions etc.), the different types of bass clarinet and its place within the clarinet hierarchy.
Wunderbar! Danke!
I remember as a kid watching the film Jason and the Argonauts and wondering what instrument made those beautiful sounds many,many years later I found out it was the bass clarinet....Amazing sound.
I play an Eb Contraalto clarinet. I love low clarinet voices.
I am in 5th grade and starting bagpipes and bass clarinet tomorrow
that's really cool, I hope you enjoy bass clarinet
One of my old friends from high school and middle school played the bass clarinet!
My best friend has 2 clarinet and 1 bass clarinet his father's best friend was a professional clarinetist he was the soloist clarinet player for the orchestra me and my friends went to In 2011
I love this video because am a bass clarinet
maybe my next life I'll come back as a musician
When he was playing “quiet” it was just blowing air into it, not really making a noise... right?
Peanut Butter it was definitely making a pitch
It might be too low for phone speakers, try headphones and you'll be able to hear it 👍
he was playing the solo excerpt from pines of rome, it's low, slow and soft. if you turn your speakers up you'll hear it very softly 3:56
Bravíssimo!!!
Amazing presentation! I have a question: Is the bass clarinet an instrument that emits a lot of natural harmonics? Because I hear the low voice and also some higher notes when he plays.
Every second harmonic. That's why it's so easy to pick them out.
Third (mainly)
Bruvs clarinet story is similar to mine but i started bass clarinet in 8th grade
I started in 4th grade too!
Is it just me who likes his utah accent?
when you started on bass clarinet and plan on never switching
whats the piece he plays at the beginning?
Stravinsky rite of spring i think
It's a duck-sound instrument and it's beautiful hear!
What bass clarinet is that?
B-flat bass clarinet
Mira! i think he wants it a little clearer, i have no idea, obviously low c capable
It is a professional Buffet Low-C model, exactly which one, I can not say.
It's a Prestige model with aftermarket neck and bell
Backun bell, and Blashaus (I believe that's how it's spelled)neck if I'm correct. At least that's where you can get similar products
lucky guy
Froggy went a'courting
Haha dry reed. Nice playing though
A bass clarinet is a low-pitch clarinet.
3:32 everything about that was surprisingly bad from thr super high pitched yet soft squeak right before the first note came out right to the last altissimo note that was voiced terribly.... wow.
It’s not gonna sound good