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Summary: Learn some of the basic roles of the bass clarinet with expert music training tips in this free online instrument instruction video clip.
Have played professionally in the Washington, DC area since 1982, leading a jazz quartet and freelancing for rock groups and recordings. I've also produced a concert series, The...read more
" Hello! My name is Jim Sivard on behalf of expertvillage.com, I’d like to talk to you about the traditional role of the bass clarinet, possibly some of its other possibilities. The bass clarinet, being a lower instrument has been used by, for instance, Hector Berlioz, and more recent composers as an accompanying instrument or a harmony to a higher instrument. Now, if we look at the regular B flat clarinet, the soprano clarinet, we notice that to play this the fingers have to physically cover certain holes. This can actually slow down some of your melodic articulation, unless you’re an expert. If we look at the bass clarinet, most of the coverings are actually done by key work similar to a saxophone. My point is that the articulation and the speed of the bass clarinet is equal to really any wood instrument including the flute; and due to it’s great range, which I will demonstrate, it can really take care of any melodic passage, and can be used as a primary melody instrument. That was the traditional role of the bass clarinet."
eHow Article: The Role of the Bass Clarinet
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