THE BASS CLARINET IS AWSOME
I play Bass alto and soprano in my schoool band but I prefer the bass
It is low coooooooool and it gives off a JAZZ/ROCK feel. Oh andif any one can Help:

Hey Im in the school band and in a band of my own and I need a good song with an easy melody. It realy gets my teacher P.O.ED when I play classic rock.
But all I know is Smoke On the Water
PLEASE HELP

I play bass clarinet for my school I trying to get a contra from the school next year I like the bass clarinets tone it has a very dark rich tone.

I`m mostly a sax player, but even though I may think sax is "better", ContraBass clarinets are incredibly cool. The thing was taller then me! (6ft+) I got to play one once, and had a blast; however, if its price is anywhere to a Bass Sax, then i`ll be thinking; Do I want a ContraBass or a Mercedes?

i dont see why none of you play one i do ive played carol of the bells solos in the band on bass clarinet and other christmas songs

I play Electric Bass Guitar and I`m thinking of changing my instrument to Bass Clarinet. Worth it?

ya i play bass clarinet! ive seen a contra bass-tenor sax solo in oklahoma. it was awesome! but i cant find any solo bass clarinet parts online, do u no of any?

i just bought a contrabass clarinet its awesome i love it

I play bass clarinet but the parts are so boring! I am also having trouble getting notes higher than high G. Can you help?

i didn`t feel like skimming this entire thread, so if someone has already mentioned this, my apologies...check http://www.cs.berkeley.edu/~jmh/music/serene1.gif for a transposition of dolphy`s b.c. solo on serene

tasty bizz

c10

I play the bass Clarinet!!! I play it with my symphonic band and hope to make all-district this year with bass in(2005), January 8th for Eastern District of North Carolina. If anyone is gonna be there, auditioning. Gimme a buz, at "woodyr2u@yahoo.com". Thanks Yall.

Bb Bass Is my instrument!

I love it, I played the soprano for 5 years and switched, I enjoy band so much now in HS.
I am going for All-Distric (Central) again this year and maybe (fingers crossed) get a shot at all-state.

I also play the Contra-Alto Clarinet (Its in Eb). I dont think i heard anyone say they played that. Its smaller than the contrabass. Since our school (Green Hope High School) Doesn`t own a Contrabass.

And yes, I have played a few bass clarinet solos. In First Suite in Eb by Holst, and Cartoon. They were small.

Anyone know what solos there are in Blue Shades for Bass? I`ve listened to the piece several times and am trying to figure out if its all Bass Clarinet or some Contrabass/Alto too.

one minor detail i left out ... thats Central All District for North Carolina

Wow, this is pretty amazing! I never knew so many people were so interested about the bass clarinet! I`ve been playing it for a really long time now and am in the process of completing my Bachelors of Music in Bass Clarinet Performance. I love the instruments range (5 octaves and a bit, hard to get to the 5th ocatave though), its tone,and the wide array of things you can do with it. The fun never stops. I believe that the Bass Clarinet and B flat Clarinet are completly different. Bass Clarinet has an amazing amount of fingerings, sometimes 8 to 12 for one note, it takes a greater amount of air, depending on the range, notes should be articulated differently, it takes a lot of strength and flexibility, and as you get to the higher ranges, has completly differnt fingerings than the b flat clarinet. Theres more but I won`t bore you. Its very important for the Bass Clarinet to be treated differently than the b flat clarinet. It is different and I really get angry when its put on the back burner. Believe me, its hard for a bass clarinetist to be treated as a primary instrumentalist than always being put second. Its getting better but I still feel it. Even the Harmonica has more sheet music than us! Sorry for that, I get a bit emotional sometimes.

Anyways if anyone wants to know there are quite a bit of professional performers that play the Bass. Harry Sparnaay is very good, as well as Josef Horak, Henri Bok, Lori Freedman, and a whole lot more.
There is also a lot of info on the bass at www.bassclarinet.org. You can also purchase a bit of transciptions for bass from Alea Publishing, which can be accessed through the site.
But if you want original music its a bit hard to find. Just search the web. Remember that most original bass clarinet works are modern. Some involve using electronics.
Oh before I bore you with all this theres quite a bit of Bass Clarinet Stuff for band. Mainly Blue Shades, but also Cave, the Holst Suite and a whole bunch of other stuff I`ve played but can`t think of. Tichelli has written a bit more bass. As for Orchestral works, there are many Bass Clarinet solo`s. If you vist your local symphony I`m sure you`ll witness a Bass solo. If anyones interested theres two Orchestral Reportoire books for Bass available through Roncorp Publishing. Well hope that helps,
Matt

I`d like to talk to you, could you send me your email? Pls? PLS? lol ya ....pls?

List of More Pieces with Solos:

Lincolnshire Posy - A duet with a flute, but its still marked Solo in the part. Very cool solo. This is a great piece btw! Very Tough!

Incantation and Dance - Another one where its kind of a Duet w/ the Bassoon.

Imani - Just a solo

Our band might be playing Blue Shades in the Spring, I hope i can get my hands on an extended range B. Clar. So I can play all the way down to a Low C. I wish i could afford one!