How to Tune the Bass Clarinet
The bass clarinet is a seldom-seen instrument these days. Largely relegated to the world of jazz, the bass clarinet is an interesting instrument to master, garnering loving support from those that have mined its creative fields. The clarinet tunes in much the same way as its smaller cousins, though it produces a sound that is all its own.
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Instructions
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Set the tuning device to sound a Bb, which is the key that the bass clarinet is built in. Stand with the clarinet in both hands, using the appropriate fingers to cover the clarinet's sound holes.
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Curl the bottom lip in and roll the mouthpiece softly over the lip. Rest the top teeth carefully on the top of the mouthpiece and close the mouth tightly. The mouthpiece must not move while notes are being played. Play one note to test the pressure being applied to the mouthpiece and adjust accordingly until all speaking has been eliminated from note playing.
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3
Sound a Bb note using the steps described above. Match the Bb note being played on the clarinet with the Bb note sounding on the chromatic tuner. Adjust the barrel joint of the bass clarinet each time after the note is played until the notes are identical. This joint is located at the top portion of the instrument after the mouthpiece. Pull the joint away from the mouthpiece slightly and repeat sounding the note to match it with the tuner. Shorten the barrel joint by pressing the piece closer to the reed of the mouthpiece if the note sounded flat compared with the tuner's note. Repeat this entire step until the notes are identical.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid pulling the barrel of the clarinet out more than 4 milllimeters. At this length the player risks the instrument becoming unsound, wobbling, or portions of it falling apart all together. Tuning an instrument is as much an art as it is a science, and many factors may affect it: temperature, humidity, even altitude.
