Hi. My friend just picked up bass clarinet today. He's been playing soprano clarinet for some time now. I'm wondering is there any advice or information you have that I could pass along to him? Anything he should know?

I started playing bass over the summer, and it's quite different from soprano in some ways. The best thing to tell him is to loosen his embouchure, especially when playing over the break; it's not nearly as big of a difference as it is on a soprano clarinet. Also, don't forget to use a lot of air, nothing sounds more annoying than a wimpy bass clarinet. We have three in our band and when they play together it sounds like a half. Don't be afraid, play out!

awesome! Just remember that bass clarinet should be easy to play with a very, very full sound. If its not, then theres a problem with something, horn or player or setup. Don't use harder than a vandoren 3 ever. Good luck

air, air, air!

and be sure not to set the peg too high... nothing makes me cringe more than seeing someone play with their neck craned up to reach the mouthpiece. it sould be at a comfortable angle not as vertical as a soprano, but not parallel to the floor either.