Howdy! I'm a fairly competent bass clarinet player. I'm playing in the pit orchestra for my school's production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. As we have no bari player wishing to do pit, I'm going to play it. [reed 4 is bass clarinet, bari, and occasional flute, so it makes sense.]
I haven't actually ever played a bari, and I won't get one for a week or so, because the director wants me to wait until after festival next weekend. I know the fingerings for the most part, becasue I have an alto inherited from my older brother, which I mess around on occasionally.
I guess I'm just asking if there are any bari quirks I should watch out for, or anything special I need to learn?
Also, I don't know if I should use a neckstrap or a harness? I've seen it both ways. Opinions?
Oh! reedwise, what size are they? I know bass clarinet and tenor sax reeds are interchangable in a pinch- would contra clarinet reeds be equivalent to bari? I don't know how fast I'll be able to get bari reeds, but I have contra reeds.

Thanks in advance!

I used to play Alto Sax alot, but I switched to Bari Sax a while ago. Bari Sax takes a while (maybe a few days) to adjust to after just playing an Alto as your only saxophone. You have to hold your mouth looser. I do not know if contra reeds are the same as Bari Sax reeds though. I would wear a neckstrap as a harness may hinder your ability to adjust your posture (don't know if its spelled right).

Hello, and welcome to the world of saxophone! There are a few things to keep in mind when playing the bari. The first thing is that I definately get a harness. They are much more comfortable, and playing the bari for a while can really be a strain on your neck, so the harness will relieve some of that pain. Second, I do not think contrabass clarinet and bari. sax reeds are interchangeable. When i was playing contra in my school's clarinet choir, I tried to use a bari reed as i played it in marching band, but it seems to not work as well. The contra clarinet reed, as from what I can see, is a bit wider than the bari reed and mouthpiece, and that can make quite a difference when playing. So i say stick to buying just regular bari. reeds. Vandorens are pretty good, and for a beginning bari player such as yourself, i would suggest getting a lower strenght reed.

The one thing you REALLY must watch out for is when you are playing bass clarinet and bari. interchangebly, which you will be doing in the pit orchestra. As I'm sure you already know, the clarinet fingerings are much different in the low register, where the bari. playes most of the time. When you switch instruments, you have to think to yourself that you are now playing bass clarinet, or bari. I say this because one can easily mix up the fingerings in the low regester. A can remember a few times while playing contrabass clarinet when the music said to play a "D" and I played the fingering for low D on bari, and needless to say it didn't sound too good with the ensemble. Just something you should watch out for, and good luck. Being able to play multiple instruments like that is a gift in itself, and it will take some time to learn a new instrument, even though you are already capable of playing the alto. Hope you enjoy the musical you are playing in!

Bari will be fun!

Bari's have a great tone and really nice sound!

Good luck!

thanks for the advice everyone!
it ended up my director gave me a harness and reed to use, so i don't need to figure it out i'll just get the same kind of reeds as that one. i've found bari to be a lot easier for me than alto, probably because the size is more similar to bass clarinet. it seems like the hardest part is going to be switching from the too in 3 measures... i'm scared i'll break one putting them down and pickign them up that fast!

I wish that out conductor would let us us switch instruments during songs. He won't even let us switch between songs ! He gets so frustrating sometimes. We have players who, all they do is goof-off, and out band teacher just stands there and waits for them. It waists at least 20 minutes of our time! I'm switching class hours, so I hope that will help(unless the people who goof-off switch to the other hour like last time).

I wish that out conductor would let us us switch instruments during songs. He won't even let us switch between songs ! He gets so frustrating sometimes. We have players who, all they do is goof-off, and out band teacher just stands there and waits for them. It waists at least 20 minutes of our time! I'm switching class hours, so I hope that will help(unless the people who goof-off switch to the other hour like last time).

i know its a month latter BUT THE BARI ROCKS u will probaly know by now but it is a fun instrument much eaisyer than the bass clarinet but i think more fun lol!

^nah, not as easy as bass clarinet! i hate sharps, and they're even more annoying on bari because i'm not confident in the fingerings.

flash_fires, i'm only switching back and forth because it's for pit orchestra, not normal band. the parts are written for one person to play multiple instruments. "reed four"(me) consists of bass clarinet, bari sax, and a teensy bit of flute. since i don't play flute, one of the flute girls is playing those parts as well as some of the other flute parts. normally the only people who switch instruments durring songs in band are english horn/oboe and flute/piccolo.

Oh, ok. I like playing the lower sounding instruments, but I don't like playing their perts. They're usually boring, and repetetive. My two favorite songs, that I've played so far are the Imperial Overture, and Aztec. My least favorite was the Russion Dance from the sugar plum fairy, because all you play is E the whole time.