Woah, talk about crazy.

I`ve been playing the Bass Clarinet for nearly 2yrs. I switched from Bb Clarinet in 9th grade because my fingers were too long and I couldn`t play the Clarinet comfortably.

The Bass Clarinet (Bb) is a beautiful sounding instrument I prefer it over the clarinet (Not bashing clarinetists out there ). You can go lower than the regular Clarinet and just as high as the Bb Clarinet itself. Alto Clarinets and the Extended Bass Clarinet, which goes much lower than the regular Bass Clarinet, are just as neat.

And it depends on what kind of music you receive. Our director tries to find songs where the Bass Clar. can be heard along with other instrument sections. But then again, he`s a Clarinet player himself. *laughs*

I personally find that Bass Clarinets add more sound to a band. I mean a Tuba alone won`t make a neat sound if it doesn`t have support from other low instruments like the Bass Clarinet =).

But I will I agree with on one thing, the case of a Bass Clarinet and clunky and huge and I personally dislike the common handles you see on the yamahas cases (Yamahas I swear hate me. This year my BC wouldn`t play at all and one screw kept falling out)

Contrabass eh? My friend tried to play that. Its huge isn`t it? Have you managed to play it well?

hey, i am a bass clarinet player for like 1 3/4 years now and in the SYMPHONIC Band at my school . whoever it was that said that bass players are the ones who get "banished" - "what are you smokin?" i mean if you don`t play one then keep your mouth SHUT! you don`t know what it takes to blow air throgh the beautiful instrument. so stop sniffin sh**!!

oh yea for the poeple who do play bass clarinet

GO YOU!!!!!!!

BASS CLARINET POWER!!!!!

I actually started on the Bass Clarinet in Grade 8, after playing the flute for a year. I`m now in Grade 10, and the Bass is quite literally my baby. The bass clarinet can be very tempermental - both of the basses I`ve played in the past, the other bassists couldn`t play. Not to brag or anything... but I much prefer the bass, although I`d love to try the alto/contrabass/subcontra bass...

uh oillie person
if you were good, then won`t you be in the SYmPHONIC BAND with a b flat soprano or e flat clarinet? not a bass clarinet
in my band, they are the two worse players
but of course it may be different elsewhere

I am a junior in High school and have played the bass clarinet for 3 years now and thought it was one of the greatest instruments. But once I got my hands on a contrabass clarinet....you`ll definitely be satisfied with the power and it makes the bass sound puny, but i still enjoy it.

well, in my SYMPHONIC BAND the bass clarinets are one of the best lower reed instruments in the school (with the barry sax & tenor) there are also bassoons and (no offense to those who play them) the ones in my band sound like ducks getting run over. But they never practice so .... but ANYWAYS we went to Festival(band assesment) this friday in FLORIDA and we got all SUPERIORS!!!!!!! on all 3 songs and sightreading & student conducter!!! ALL A`S!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!

i have to say i completely disagree with the original poster.

not everyone likes the bass clarinet, but that doesnt mean it sux. the only reason your band director put the 2 last chair clarinets on bass clarinet is because no one else wanted to and the music is easier. that does NOT mean the instrument is easier. from my experience, i can say that bass clarinet is as hard or harder (though not by much ) as the normal clarinet. I made 2nd chair clarinet in the top band when i was in middle school, but i chose to play bass clarinet because i really liked it (i eventually switched back, but i still play bass clar sometimes for fun). at my current high school, the bass clarinet player in the top band is better that 3 of the 7 Bb soprano clarinets in the top band.

in conclusion, you are free to hate bass clarinets if you want, but please do it in private.

woah thats really weird i was in the same festival in florida and my band was the 1st band to get all superiors. we were the 3rd band to play. were gulf middle school.

The bass clarinets at my school have two of the best clarinet players plus one average player. We sit in the front and centre.

i was wondering if u could help me,i am trying to find out the price of my clarinet because i want to sell it,it is a boosy and hawks wooden one,its very old but in quite good nick,what do u think it would be worth coz i havnt a clue,and i dont want it anymore?
thanx for ue help
vic

Anthony which place did u go to do festival , mine was one of the later ones (on Friday) and we went to Taravella high School (BROWARD). But we did get ALL superiors! YAY!

lil vic, i don`t know what to tell you but if it is old BUt in good shape & WOOD! it should be worth more than a regular plastic clarinet! but i never heard of a boosy but since you said it was old it should cost more because there are not many wooden ones that you see in like regular bands. maybe you should take it to an alcounty store or some kind of music store and ask them (just suggesting!)

I`m in my early 20s and I date a Bass Clarinetist for a major Symphony Orchestra here in the US.

Dont knock those people. they are awesome

go bass clarinet!

Hey!! I resent this comment! I have been playing the bass clarinet for about 2 and 1/2 years now, and I absoulutly love it. I have become quite good at it, and I feel that the clarinet was never really my forte. Also, I chose to play this instrument. So the next time you decide to insult those of us who do love the Bass Clarinet, try playing the thing... Butt head.