[kaylarae_04]

Hello everyone!
I am a high school freshman that's just starting marching band and, sadly, I need tips on how to play notes higher than a high C for bass clarinet. I'm playing a B.C. from Yamaha and a 2 reed from Vandora, I've checked out other posts but they were only for high F (5th line) and I'm not up there yet.

 

[bandmommy]

What were you playing before bass clarinet?

 

[mmichel]

Hello everyone!
I am a high school freshman that's just starting marching band and, sadly, I need tips on how to play notes higher than a high C for bass clarinet. I'm playing a B.C. from Yamaha and a 2 reed from Vandora, I've checked out other posts but they were only for high F (5th line) and I'm not up there yet.

Do you mean middle C (i.e., third space on treble clef staff)? If so, the fingerings for that register are the same as those for the soprano (Bb) clarinet.

You can just use a standard clarinet fingering chart like the one provided by Yamaha here.

It's really only the altissimo register (i.e., notes above the high C two ledger lines above the staff) that is fingered differently on bass clarinet.

 

[mmichel]

If you came from playing Bb clarinet and your problem is with tone production rather than fingering, then it's probably going to take you a while to learn to voice the clarion register (i.e., middle C through high C) correctly on the bass clarinet. Whatever pointers you previously found for 5th line F probably apply for all of the other notes of the clarion register as well, since there's only a single register key mechanism/hole on Yamaha's student bass clarinets.

On the higher registers of bass clarinet it's really important to be able to "hear" the notes in your head before you play them. You can start by trying to play octaves, which will make this easier. For example, finger low D (space below the staff; fingered as thumb and two first fingers of your left hand) then finger D an octave above (fourth line of the staff; fingered as thumb + register key + first three fingers of left and right hands) practice doing this slowly until you can get it reliably, then move on to Eb, then E, etc.

 

[kaylarae_04]

What were you playing before bass clarinet?

I played clarinet in 4th and 5th grade, tuba for the first half of 6th grade and this is my 3rd year playing bass clarinet.

 

[bandmommy]

Ok... The easiest way to play notes above 'high C', (second line above the staff) is to 'half hole' while using the correct fingering for the intended note.
Half hole on a Bb soprano is to partly cover the left hand first finger F# tone hole/ring.
Half hole on the bass clarinet is to depress the little tab attached to the bottom of the left hand F# touch.
Think eee with your tongue and keep your air supported.
If you are confused by this I'll try to find photos.

 

[kaylarae_04]

Ok... The easiest way to play notes above 'high C', (second line above the staff) is to 'half hole' while using the correct fingering for the intended note.
Half hole on a Bb soprano is to partly cover the left hand first finger F# tone hole/ring.
Half hole on the bass clarinet is to depress the little tab attached to the bottom of the left hand F# touch.
Think eee with your tongue and keep your air supported.
If you are confused by this I'll try to find photos.

If you can, please post some photos. Thank you

 

[mmichel]

Ok... The easiest way to play notes above 'high C', (second line above the staff) is to 'half hole' while using the correct fingering for the intended note.
Half hole on a Bb soprano is to partly cover the left hand first finger F# tone hole/ring.
Half hole on the bass clarinet is to depress the little tab attached to the bottom of the left hand F# touch.
Think eee with your tongue and keep your air supported.
If you are confused by this I'll try to find photos.

Bandmommy, I believe that the OP was actually referring to middle C, since she indicated that "5th line F" was above her range. If so, she's concerned with playing the clarion register, not altissimo.

 

[kaylarae_04]

Bandmommy, I believe that the OP was actually referring to middle C, since she indicated that "5th line F" was above her range. If so, she's concerned with playing the clarion register, not altissimo.

Yes I was talking about the middle C, sorry I didn't say that.

 

[mmichel]

If you can, please post some photos. Thank you

Here's a picture of the middle f# key (left-hand index finger key) on my bass clarinet.

Yours should look similar.
When you're playing any note below high C

that involves that key, your finger should be positioned where the blue circle is, covering the vent hole.

When you're playing altissimo notes above that high C (and only when you're playing altissimo), then you should move your finger to cover the part of the key where the red square is located, venting the key.

 

[kaylarae_04]

Here's a picture of the middle f# key (left-hand index finger key) on my bass clarinet.

View attachment 5721

Yours should look similar.
When you're playing any note below high C View attachment 5719 that involves that key, your finger should be positioned where the blue circle is, covering the vent hole.

When you're playing altissimo notes above that high C (and only when you're playing altissimo), then you should move your finger to cover the part of the key where the red square is located, venting the key.

Yes, mine looks similar. I will keep that in mind, thank you!

 

[bandmommy]

A third year BC player really shouldn't have difficulty with anything above middle C IF the instrument is free of issues.
Make sure you aren't accidentally opening the throat G# or lower right side Bb trill key.
Just finger the notes and keep your air supported.
PRACTICE is the only way to get where you want to be. Scales, arpeggios, everything you hate.
Get the horn serviced and dig in.

 

[kaylarae_04]

A third year BC player really shouldn't have difficulty with anything above middle C IF the instrument is free of issues.
Make sure you aren't accidentally opening the throat G# or lower right side Bb trill key.
Just finger the notes and keep your air supported.
PRACTICE is the only way to get where you want to be. Scales, arpeggios, everything you hate.
Get the horn serviced and dig in.

I was in middle school for the first 3 years and rarely played notes higher than Bb, but thank you guys so much for the help already and if you have anything else to share please do so!☺

 

[bandmommy]

I was in middle school for the first 3 years and rarely played notes higher than Bb, but thank you guys so much for the help already and if you have anything else to share please do so!☺

I've played clarinet for 49 years. I've taught privately and worked in a middle school band room for 8 years. If your bass clarinet doesn't need servicing you should not have any problem playing over the break.
I'm NOT being rude.
The only way you'll be able to play above middle C is to practice playing above middle C.
There are no shortcuts. Make sure all of the correct fingers are closing all of the correct tone holes. Don't accidentally crack open any side keys or lift the thumb while depressing the register key. Keep your airstream supported blowing all the way through that big horn.
Practice, practice, and more practice.

 

[mmichel]

I was in middle school for the first 3 years and rarely played notes higher than Bb, but thank you guys so much for the help already and if you have anything else to share please do so!☺

I agree with bandmommy that you just have to practice. However, if possible, you should really try to get someone (a tech or a teacher) to look at it and make sure it doesn't have any leaks.

Also, FWIW, don't feel too bad. During my first attempt to pick up the bass clarinet (12 years ago!!), I struggled and posted a similar thread to yours here trying to figure out how to make those lower clarion notes speak. I eventually figured it out.

 

[kaylarae_04]

I've played clarinet for 49 years. I've taught privately and worked in a middle school band room for 8 years. If your bass clarinet doesn't need servicing you should not have any problem playing over the break.
I'm NOT being rude.
The only way you'll be able to play above middle C is to practice playing above middle C.
There are no shortcuts. Make sure all of the correct fingers are closing all of the correct tone holes. Don't accidentally crack open any side keys or lift the thumb while depressing the register key. Keep your airstream supported blowing all the way through that big horn.
Practice, practice, and more practice.

You've been playing clarinet for 49 years! That's so cool. My airstream is good but I think it's my mouth placement now, I have been practicing and got up to high D but then can't get to high E (I'm fingering low A with the register key). I've played the note for about 2 seconds yesterday but then my reed, I think, made that sound before squeaking. I have been thinking and adding your guy's thoughts into my practice though.

 

[kaylarae_04]

I agree with bandmommy that you just have to practice. However, if possible, you should really try to get someone (a tech or a teacher) to look at it and make sure it doesn't have any leaks.

Also, FWIW, don't feel too bad. During my first attempt to pick up the bass clarinet (12 years ago!!), I struggled and posted a similar thread to yours here trying to figure out how to make those lower clarion notes speak. I eventually figured it out.

I'll mention to my parents about getting my instrument looked at. I don't feel bad it's just that I've never played notes these high and now I have 1 whole piece of music that's 98% notes over high C haha. I'll keep practicing them and try to get to high G because I think that's the highest note, if not it's high A.

 

[bandmommy]

Um... You're not playing high anything. You're trying to play middle somethings.
Get the horn serviced to be sure it's not the problem.
After that start watching videos on bass clarinet embouchure and tone production. Maybe get a couple of Skype or zoom lessons with a teacher who specializes in clarinet.
If those check out as ok and you're still having what you think are reed issues go up to a 2.5 in reed strength.
The help you need can't be gotten just by reading. You need someone who can see and hear what's happening.