I have recently started to play a bass clarinet. The low register is fine but as soon as I play up to the second register all I get is squeaks. Can anyone help with advice ? Many thanks.

It could be tons of variables causing the squeaks. What horn, mpc, reeds do you use? I'd have a good bass clarinet player test out your horn to figure out if the problem is yours or the horns.

Thank you for your response. The instrument is a student model Vito Reso-tone with a Yamaha 4C mouthpiece and Rico Royal number 3 reed. I use this type of reed on my soprano clarinet with good results.

I solely teach bass clarinet lessons, it's my primary instrument, and I can say from experience that the Yamaha 4C will not give you good results in the upper register. They are very difficult to play on, and combine that with the fact that the upper register is harder to play on a Vito Reso than a professional bass and you have a setup that is quite hard for even good players to sound good on. We had some 4C's come with some new horns at my school and I played them all and sold them $5 a piece (but not to my students!)

Oh dear, that's not good. I cannot afford a professional bass, but perhaps you can recommend an appropriate mouthpiece ? Unfortunately don't know any bass clarinet players. I certainly value your advice.

There are lots of good mouthpieces out there. The "Selmer C*" is probably the most popular mouthpiece of all time for bass. It is a very good mouthpiece. The Vandoren B44 is also great, and costs less than the C*. Both of these are great and easy to play on with your reeds. Also, you might find that a Vandoren 2.5 or 3 reed gives you more stability on the upper notes.

I had the same trouble as I recently started playing bass clarinet (vito reso tone)

Before changing the mouthpiece try a few different reeds.
I found I needed a slightly softer reed compared to on my

I purchased a cheap replacement mothpiece from starving students mucis supplies and its proved for me to be fine so far. Usually around about US$23 with ligature and cap.

Probably do for a while until you can save up to buy a decent mouthpiece.

Same as this one
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-BASS-CLARINET-MOUTHPIECE-w-Ligature-Cap_W0QQitemZ200158654665QQihZ010QQcategoryZ47097QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


On my Bb (not bass) I've just bought one of these
http://image.inkfrog.com/pix/musicalwheel/ClarinetMPMGBlack8.jpg
metal mothpieces for jazz ( joined the uni music society jazz band) and absolutely loving it.
Great tone.

hi!! i understand to produce abetter sound on the basclari(and not to squeek) u need good mpc right reeds etc... i'm not a clarinetist but i admire the sound of it.
by the way, bass clars are rare in our place( the bassoon, oboe are not so), and to have one in our band (i wish ) is good. Do u use the bassclar in marching??