I just recently started playing bass clarinet. Surprisingly, high notes are easy to me. My problem is, I can't get out the notes below the break most of the time. If I go down the scale, it's fine. I know it's not my instrument. It's something I'm doing, but I have no idea what. It comes out sort of high, almost like I'm holding down the octive key.

If you have any tips that could possibly help me, that would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!


And any other beginner tips would be appreciated very much as well.

Maybe this is irrelevent, but I forgot to add that I'm using Vandoren reeds, size 3. My teacher suggestsed getting a Rico Royal, something not as thick. Could that be a problem?

Are you completely covering the left hand 1st finger register vent? It's the tiny hole on that key. If not, you won't be able to play low notes. If this is the case, just put tape over the hole or learn to keep your finger on it.

If thats not the problem, I can't say for sure, but then probably have an equipment problem if you ARE playing correctly. Since you feel like that is not the case, could you please give us more details regarding your setup? What mouthpiece, horn, etc are you using? How long have you played exactly? Have you tried another horn and/or another mouthpiece?

Vandoren 3 is the right reed for bass, Rico is not. I would rather you play a Vandoren 2-1/2 than try a Rico.

Good luck!

I don't have my instrument with me, it's at school at the moment. I just started playing this school year, so I'm not used to it at all. It might be the key, I'll have to pay more attention to that.

It's an older instrument, and I haven't tried any others. My school has a limited number, and all the other ones are being used by other students that aren't in my class.

Thank you for responding to my post! I appreciate it a lot.

How did you go with this ?

I get a similar problem when I use a reed thats a bit to hard.

I had the exact same problem when I started bass clar. However, my problem was that a pad was loose and letting air through. Check the horn very well.

Some beginner tips.
1) really work on embroshure when playing low notes
2) work on breathing so that tone is well supported with plenty of air
3) play only vandoren reeds (2-2.5)

when i switched i had the same problem..yet it was all fixed as soon as i just opened up my embrouchure slightly bigger..because a soprano is way smaller than a bass mouthpiece..plus its in a different position in ur mouth

At the moment I'm having a few troubles with the throat tones.
Very quiet and faint compared to higher and lower registers.
I have a vito resotone bass. 2nd or third hand.

No problems now with the lower notes.

Plenty of air isn't a problem. :-)


I can only get vandoren bass clarinet reeds in the local shops.
Using 1&1/2's and 2's.
I do have some threes somewhere I'll give them a try.

On Bb I usually use vandoren 2's or rico 2.5.

Congrats on fixing the the major problem. Good luck in the furture.

A new mouthpiece (just a cheap $20 no name one) fixed the original problem.
Also getting a yamaha 4c to give it a try.