Hey, I'm going to be teaching bass clarinet lessons to a girl who plays clarinet and will be a freshman in high school in aug. 06. She's not exaclty a high school level student... more like a sixth grade level-- so this is kind of a last resort because there is no way she can survive in high school. (For example, she played an easy grade 1 at solo and ensemble festival and she still had trouble. I've played the bass clarinet a couple of times, but I'm no expert. If anyone could give me any teaching tips on the basics of playing the bass clarinet, that would be great!

honestly all the experts say you should have the same fundamentals as the clarinet. however, there is obviously a lot more horn so much more air is needed.The lower notes is what you will have trouble teaching in my opinion. I've just completed high school as the top bass clarinetist and i've seen many young clarinetists just jump into the bass just like your student sounds. high notes are very easy to produce on a bass clarinet, low notes tend to need much more work because there is a bigger reed. if you will tell the students to take in as much of the mouthpeice as possible they will produce a very good sound. other than that just practicing really. bass clarinet is a really lazy instrument in my opinion and they just really dont get that great of music. keeping the interest there is what i would worry about. because as long as their interested they will want to be better. It's all about desire in our industry.

i don't want to be mean but disregard the previous post...sorry but nothing is true, to a sense. i am a performance major in bass clarinet and i would start with the basics. one of the most important things about the bass is sound and it all depends on tongue position. keeping your mouth in an oooooo shape while imagining that an egg is in your mouth is a good idea. remember not to take in too much mouthpiece and tighten corners...also never press or tighten with your teeth. lip control is very important. low notes on the bass are easier than the high notes. just remember be easy on top and have control on the bottom. the reed makes no difference at all. all bass clarinetists know high notes are the hardest. i would not even venture above the break just yet...but if you've only played it a couple of times, why are you teaching her?

also theres loads of music, you just have to look...

WEll I been playing Bass Clarinet for 5-6 years. Its real Easy.
Tips:
- Need To blow Harder than the average clarinet (obviously)
-The teeth on top need to bite down more on the top of the mouthpiece. ( this will leave dirt looking marks)
- It is basically The bigger version of the clarinet
- I would suggest a next-strap rather than the stands or the box
- Dont tighten the mouthpeice Long end ( the thing that connects the mouthpiece and the bassclarinet itself. And dont insert it all the way. Leave some of it out
- Watch out for alot of spit. Usually comes from the mouthpiece. Make sure to Clean it Daily. Or it will stink
Thats practically all I can say. Practice the major and concert scales first. Then
For songs, go for the low ones. Most likly the ones without a melody or solo.
Take these music into consideration: La Bamba, Great Locomotive Chase, Gypsy Dance etc.

This is Tips from a Freshman In highschool. Not much =/
I hope it would do you good

I played bass in the university wind ensemble, and now I teach band.

Use a strap and the peg. Make sure the horn is angled IN towards her feet so that the mouthpiece angle is closer to that of Bb clarinet. It should be hanging on the strap and resting on the floor. A rubber mouthpiece patch is great, it helps keep the mouth "tall" inside, and it's comfy on the teeth. No Biting, but the top lip should press on the mouthpiece. Corners in etc etc, just like clarinet, only bigger/taller/more mouthpiece. Bottom lip should go where the reed contacts the MP.

Use a Vandoren 2 for this girl, until she develops an open enough embouchure to routinely overblow it. Bass clarinet takes more mouthpiece, and the reeds MUST sit a little higher on the mp.

Start on open G (or E or low C, if she has trouble holding the horn) and down the scale to low E in a whole note/rest pattern. Don't let her play quietly or timidly. Keep the jaw open and the air moving. Think 'tall' air.

If she can do that add the register key. High notes are harder than low. Play low E, add register key for 3rd line B. Go all the way to thumb F/high C. Could takes weeks, months.

PS if she can't play a low grade solo spend alot of time reading from a beginner or intermediate book. Klosé mechanisms are good, too. You can add a few each week.

Good Luck, I hope I helped!

BH

When I started on bass, pretty much the only useful advice anyone told me(other than how to put it together, I pretty much learned on my own) is that "it's a compliment to be told to play softer on bass" a big, loud sound is awesome!

Posture is very important- sitting on the edge of the chair makes it much easier for your fingers to move freely. Sit up straight! And make sure if your student is using a floor peg(I recommend it) that the peg is not set too high! If they have to tilt their head up alot, like they are baring their throat, the height probably needs to be checked.

Good luck, I wish you and your student well! and have fun! bass clarinet is fun to play! (minus stupid parts and oompahs)