I've had a Bass for a couple of months now. There were some initial major problems I posted about and I got answer to and fixed them... Now I'm just having some problems that I'm wondering if are skill-related or knowledge-related or what?

I play a Vito horn and use 3 1/2 reeds (I have the option of using 2's, but let me explain my problem first). My problem is that half of the upper octave (about F# to C) are pretty much unplayable. They squeak like crazy, and it's just by chance if I ever get an F# or G, and all the rest squeak no matter what. I figured maybe it was my reed, so I switched to the 2's, and then the squeaking happened from D - C, so of course I switched back. It's not the horn, because the horn has been through a thorough fix-up in the last month, and I just bought newer mouthpieces and ligatures.

I'm using a Yamaha C46 mouthpiece (standard fare, as far as I know, nothing special), and a BG Standard rubber ligature.

Is my problem just solved by more practice and getting used to the Bass or is there some technique/different fingering I need to be using?

The biggest part of playing higher notes on a bass clarinet is using a LOT of air. Remember, the instrument has a tendency to sound pinched in the upper register anyway, so you really have to play out when attempting them. Take a nice, deep breathe, and starting on a third space C, play as loud as you can and just keep playing up to high C, and eventually they will come right out. Don't get too frusterated if they don't sound as nice as you'd like them to. I know a girl who's been playing for years (and I only play during marching season) and the highest note she can play is fifth line F. But don't give up, and let me know how it goes!

The high notes can be challenging, but don't be too sure that the horn is in perfect playing condition. If your 5th-line F# doesn't respond/come out, then it's almost always an adjustment problem with the horn.

Also, the upper range on Vitos does not respond very well by nature. Practice ascending register slurs and be careful to keep the inside of your mouth quite tall and your jaw relaxed. Any pressure on the reed will send it squealing or grunting. These notes are almost impossible to play if you roll your bottom lip in too far. If there's a small leak in the top half of your horn, the low notes might work but the high notes definitely will not. Good luck!

if you're trying to play it as if it were a soprano clarinet, that may be part of the problem. i've found that while on soprano, your lips need to tighten the higher you go, you have to be careful on bass NOT to tighten too much. save that for when you want to play 8 ledger lines above the staff! (no joke on the 8 ledger lines- i have a fingering chart for those notes!)
try practicing slurs, as hump suggested. my first year or two on bass, i worked on adding to my range with scales. i've gon from not being able to play them all two octives, to being able to play most of them three. just keep working on adding a note at a time. when you can play that note, add another. repeat. while it may not seem like you need to play above the staff very often, particularly if your music isn't too hard yet, you WILL need to be able to play them later, so learn them now!


good luck! and have fun- i think the upper register of bass clarinet is particularly lovely.

I never have had the problem of a non-responsive high register on my bass clarinet. I switched from Bb clarinet to bass clarinet a few months ago, and my original problem was acutally get the lowest notes to respond. For the upper register, I would suggest just try slurring the notes at first. Then work on staccato. Then try thirds, fifths etc. Practice makes perfect after all. Just keep going and going. Also, perhaps there is a slight problem with your reed placement. I have learned that if the reed is even slightly tilted, it can really effect the sound produced. More mouthpiece in your mouth may also help.

I forgot to say that 3-1/2's and 2's are both not very good. I've never met a professional bass clarinet player who plays heavier than a Vandoren 3. Some guys play Rico, but Vandoren 3's are the best size for all. Also, You would do better on a Selmer C* or Vandoren B44 mouthpiece.

"Also, You would do better on a Selmer C* or Vandoren B44 mouthpiece. "

I highly recommend the C* mouthpiece. It's excellent. I've been playing on C*'s since I started bass 4 years ago (not the same one though, two different ones... so we know the quality is consistent )

Stick with a 2 and a half. Thats the only thing you need to buy at the moment. No worries. You can achieve the high notes with a Yamaha mouthpiece... The 3's will be two hard for you at the moment.
Try playing the lower notes first and then adding the octave key with your right hand when least expecting it. The reason you are squeaking: Your embochure is shifting when going to the top. Don't change, be tight, stay tight, center the mouth by saying ooooo, and get used to the notes. When you hit it try to remeber how everything feels. Let me tell you...when I was learning those notes back in the day...man...hahah..back in gr. 8...oh man, what a long time...aaahh..it took a LONE TIME...

I am retired and recently bought a bass clarinet and had exactly the same problems. My instrument is a vito also. This forum was a great help in solving the problem. The pad near the top end of the register key on the player side of the instrument was not closing completely when both the register key and the left hand thumb were down.

There is a small adjustment screw about an inch below and to the right of the pad in question. This screw controls the re-closing amount for this pad and turning the screw clockwise (with both thumbpad and register key depressed)using a jewelers screwdriver until the pad made contact with the seat cured the problem completely for me. The difficult notes suddenly became easy. I hope this reply may help someone else having the same problem.

I have a Buffet C mouthpiece and am using a Rico 2 1/2 reed.

Yamaha mpcs are very near terrible. Lately, I've sent back 4 out of the 6 Selmer C*s my school has purchased because of poor quality. My school pays the discounted price, but I refuse to let my students play on a mouthpiece that isn't made right. Most of the latest C*'s are poorly finished. The older ones are awesome. I recommend the Vandoren B44 for a budget mpc because it is VERY consistent. My other favorite is the Clark Fobes Nova. Great mpc for the price, the "San Francisco" model is perfect if you have the money, but the Nova is better/more consistant than the current C*s IMHO.

use lots more air..
I've been playing bass clarinet for 5 years and it wasn't until last summer that i was able to get above high c.. it requires a lot of time to just mess around with it.. but you really need lots of air and also make sure you aren't changing your ombichure