Next year i am thinking about joining the clarinet choir at my school. Even though I do play oboe as my main instrument, i have been learning clarinet on the side, and want to try out my playing in a group. But, i dont really want to play the soprano clarinet, rather, the contrabass clarinet. But I know little or no information about the instrument. So I want to ask you guys which contrabass do you think is easier to play: the Eb or the lower Bb, and if someone could tell me some techniques about these instruments that may make playing a little more.... playable? Also, i have no clue what the music is like for the contrabass. Is it written in bass cleff? My school actually happens to own both an Eb and Bb contrabass, so i don`t plan on purchasing one of these. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Hi,
I have been playing clarinet for 7 and a half years now, so I`m a pretty reliable source !!! Using contrabass clarinets is pretty un heard of, at least where I have lived. The only assumption I can make about the type of music you would play would be that it is similar to that which low brass or bassoons and contrabassoons would play. This would most probably not be the melody, perhaphs a harmony but Im not entirely sure.
I can`t reccommmend anything, except, unless you are experienced clarinetist, and have a strong steady embrouchure, DON`T TRY A Eb Soprano!!!! They are the piccolo flute of the clarinet family. They are hard to play in tune, and unlike the piccolo flute, the fingerings are not overly similar to those of a clarinet in A or Bb. In that respect I would reccommend that you play the Bb or Eb Contrabass Clarinet.
I`m not entirely sure, but you might have trouble playing the lower of the two, the Bb. If it is like a bassoon to playing a Contrabassoon, then you will have to put alot more air into the instrument(again, I`m reliable, I play bassoon and oboe too )I would assume that the fingerings on the Bb Contrabass would also be different.
I have a question, do you mean the CONTRA ALTO CLARINET IN Eb? Because that would be the easiest for you. It has exactly the same fingerings as a normal Bb Clarinet. It has an extra key down the bottom which extends the range a semi-tone below the normal Bb ones, it goes to a Eb instead of an E. The only real difference would be the high notes. I don`t know much about them. This is also alot more commonly used than a Contrabass Bb Clarinet, it would have more........exciting music because of its neutral range.
If you want further information on other clarinets in the family, check out this sight: http://hem.passagen.se/eriahl/clarinet.htm

I hope I was of SOME help!!!!!!!!!!!


-Alan

ALL clarinet fingerings are THE SAME!!!! Some have added keys to extend the range, but that is the only difference between some clarinets.

I have played both Eb and BBb contrabasses. The Eb contralto I found was easier to play than the BBb, because it takes a lot less air. I am struggling to build up my air supply for the BBb. The reeds in the case may not work very well. Usually bari sax reeds will work, and they tend to be cheaper than contra reeds.

If you have any more questions, please reply (I`ll be checking back).

By the way, Cookie68, it is quite common for schools (high school and university level) to have at least one contra clarinet over here in the states.

Good to know

Yea, sorry i did mean the contra alto in Eb. My school does have both a BBb contrabass and an Eb contra alto, but let`s just say there not in the BEST playing condition. I have been playing bari. sax in my marching band, so I`ve had some experience playing low reeds, but I`m sure the bari. sax can`t even compare to the BBb contrabass clarinet in air support needed to make a sound out of the instrument. I don`t really plan on playing either of the contrabasses in my band, that`s why I have my oboe. Still, playing one of those clarinets would be a great experience for me.