As a fellow bass clarinet player, I have heard people say to me “oh, you play the knock off saxophone” or whatever. Well, if you ever hear this tell the person the bass clarinet was invented in 1838 and as the sax was invented in 1846.
No denigration to the saxes, but most people have no idea you can jazz with a bass clarinet. It has a wonderful mellow sound. A couple of examples: ruclips.net/video/hM4n_NQHxao/видео.html ruclips.net/video/xxmLaETMSUc/видео.html
This guy's tone is EXCEPTIONAL. I have never heard a bass clarinet like this before. I played one in high school. It was an old, raspy, leaky, squeaky disaster. I didn't even think it was supposed to sound good. Then I hear this. His high tones just sound like a regular clarinet, which I didn't think was possible. And he's playing it in a sound-deadened room too.
I was memorized by the BC the moment I heard it. I just never got the opportunity to expand on playing it in school because they were always in the repair shop. They come back then a week or two later, they'd be broken again. If I had waited, I never would have learned the clarinet.
Playing on a professional BC, especially a Buffet, will make a huge difference in tone across the board. However, his comments about his different embouchures, is spot on!
This is the most beautiful instrument tone I’ve ever heard in my life. This video actually inspired me to go and get a bass clarinet as my main instrument and play it. First time I heard this I was actually shocked and I immediately knew that this was the right instrument for me. It’s been over two years now and I’m still learning and improving.
In school, I played Bb bass clarinet and Bb contrabass clarinet for nearly 10 years, even made district, state, and national honors-- I was ranked #1 contrabass clarinetist my senior year in school. I've always loved the bass and have always found videos sharing and celebrating its unique sound endearing. My family's dream was for me to have done what this man is doing, but I was young, foolish, and undisciplined as a teen. It remains one of my regrets in life that I didn't take my gifts and training to the next level, and if I could do it all over again, I would have chosen differently and pursued a career in music.
I play the bass clarinet now for nearly 10 years as my main. I really love it and I'm so glad that you made this video. It is absolutely winderfull for me to see and I think aswell for people who don't know the bass clarinet at all or not that well. Your sound is amazing I love the way you play thos instrument. It's absolutely exceptionell.
I’ve always felt like a fool for choosing the bass clarinet. I’ve always had a hard time finding pieces to play since I was just so upset that I got this instrument, bass clarinetes are used less in my class so I’m always left out. But today, I was listening to one of my favorite soundtracks and noticed that the bass clarinet was in there! I found myself tapping my foot and dancing around to the music! I’m watching these videos to get better at my instrument! Ive never felt more proud to own this beautiful instrument!!!
I think perhaps you can make one for the conductor, after all, they are a part of the orchestra and it would be fascinating to get a behind the scenes look at conducting
As a bass clarinet player with sensory issues, I absolutely adore playing it, because now I can play high notes without having to stop or wince. However it’s just not low enough for me, so in high school I would love to play contrabass during concert season and March with a bass!
The contra bass go lower, but the its a grittier sound tolerable for only short passages. The BC is so smooth across its entire range its almost intoxicating.
Thank you very much for posting this! I was disappointed when I saw the original was only 2 minutes. I'm so glad this one goes in depth. As a professional bass clarinet player, this is one of the most gorgeous instruments!
@@philharmonia_orchestra Indeed! You've been doing these for what? Six years now? They are some amazing work, it's always a treat when a new video of yours pops up on my subscription box, not just the orchestra guides but the listening guides as well, wonderful work! I've been watching since the first of these, and now it's been two years I've begun studying the violin, in part thanks to your videos!
Thank you for sticking with us all of these years! Yes, the original series was done as extra filming around the release of our iPad app, "The Orchestra", which is still available. We kept working on these films and have enjoyed doing some re-releases and also exploring more obscure instruments. We'll keep it up!
Even when it's playing a simple scale the bass clarinet always sounds so dark and mysterious to me. Mr Slimane has a beautiful and expressive sound. Thank you. 😼
Finally, a bass clarinet video!! You guys have the best videos on RUclips in regards to almost every instrument, keep up the good work! And I applaud the extreme talent you guys have. I could only hope to do something like that one day.
Its my dream to be a composer. Coming from a country that has little to no orchestral music, this channel has been extremely helpful in understanding how different instruments in an orchestra work. Thanks.
As the only bass clarinet, in a small school. I have a old,and bad condition clarinet. I didnt knwo they could sound this good. I wish I could use one of these. I have always been good in my band, always the guy at the back with the perfect crescendos and articulations. I've never played as fast as you. But sitting down I struggle with fingerging the fast and rapid notes. I always loved playing a smooth low. I moved to Spain for family reasons,and I couldn't play my clarinet. I lost a lot of my talent. I just wish I could have a good clarinet and have the talent as this man.
You'll have to buy your own. A used Vito or Yamaha (avoid Yamahas made before the '80s) should do. Be sure to replace padding and fix leaky keys, etc., where need be.
I'm a Rock Drummer and I have no clue why I ended up watching this video - but - I watched the entire thing and I absolutely loved it. Educational, informative and just plain interesting. Thank you Laurent, excellent explanation - you're quite talented!
I have been playing the bass clarinet for about 7-8 months now and I love the sound of the bass clarinet now I’m in marching band the bass clarinet is my second instrument I played after the playing the clarinet
I’m so excited!! My Band instructor told me that I’m going to upgrade to the Bass clarinet because I’m ready to go and he needs a really good player! WOOHOO!!
My dad told me My grandfather played the Bass Clarinet in the West Kent regiment and was hardly ever herd drowned out by the rest of the bandsman . But when he played solo at Queen Victoria's funeral every one herd him for the first time. It brought tears to your eyes. I wish I knew what music He played .Dose anyone out there know
I played bass clarinet in High School, and loved it- played SO many melodic parts, similar to the bary sax. We went to 4-State Bandmasters Convention one year, played John Barnes Chance's "Elegy"- last piece of the concert, ended on a haunting note with myself and oboe harmonizing, disappearing from a fortissimo to a quadruple pianissimo and then just tapering off to nothing... I can still remember the audience sitting for 5-10 seconds dead silent before they burst into applause and a standing ovation...
I played bass clarinet from grade 7-12 and I love the sound of this instrument! Someday, I will buy my own. I miss it so much! I haven’t touched one on 5 years! 😭
My Dad heard Eric Dolphy playing a bass clarinet. His was a low D model. My Dad said that Eric's playing sounded like a turkey cock being chased around a farmyard.
There's one really significant and hair-raising bass clarinet solo that you omitted - the start of the finale of Symphony #3 by American composer William Schuman. Two other items always required in American auditions are "On the Trail" from Grand Canyon Suite (by Ferde Grofe) and Siegfried's Rhine Journey (Wagner). Thanks for this tutorial - I wish this had been around when I was learning the instrument! (retired now)
Dear Frank, Thanks for your comment. And you’re absolutely right, I could have played the excerpts you mentioned but there are too many good bass clarinet solos to choose from! Maybe in an other video!
Thank you for the fine overview of the bass clarinet. Much appreciated! As for being able to play the saxophone easily after this instrument, to an extent, yes. But not with good quality sound, because the embouchure and breathing must be changed significantly. Unlike clarinets, the saxophone has not constant bore opening in the body, and a lot more air, at a slower velocity, must be pushed through.
Similarly, I started out with clarinet, my junior high band had 2 bass clarinets and I tested on it. I was the only kid who could play it properly, even using the register properly.
I enjoyed the presentation! 😊 Thank you for all the details! 😊 I don't intend to learn the clarinet. I am only just very attracted to its sound. I really appreciate the quality of sound when you record this kind of presentations. I think it really makes a difference for the viewer. (That is to say the people behind the camera & 🎤 did a great job, also.) 😊 Thank you! 😊
I just want to say your tone is incredible. I'm Studying Stravinsky Rite of Spring for A Level Music and dare I say the sound you produce is 10 times better than any recording if ever heard. There was such depth and character to the bass clarinet that I never imagined!! Coming from a Sax player this sounds great 😄
Haven't played clarinet in since HS decades ago. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed playing an instrument. Thanks to this presentation and reminding me. I'm going to order a BC and rekindle my musical past.
I played B Flat Soprano Clarinet in Jr. High School and part of high school before being asked to play the E Flat Alto Clarinet and E Flat Alto Saxophone in my last two years of high school marching and symphonic bands. I always wondered about the Bass Clarinet but did not really ask or learn about it. Nice explanation. Thank you.
I’ve been playing the bass clarinet for a year, and I saw their old video on it, and I’ve got to admit I wasn’t very satisfied with it, but this is way better! Keep up the great work!
What a beautiful looking and sounding instrument! I love the wonderful variety of timbres. The multiphonics are amazing. You play the Shostakovich and Stravinsky parts superbly.
In the part "Learning the Bass Clarinet" he says that the Bass Clef is the most important new thing to learn. But aren't Bass Clarinet parts usually written in treble clef as well (transposing down a major 9th)?
Some of the older works (mostly orchestral works) are written in bass clef. The parts were still transposed in Bb like the regular clarinet however they did not transpose an octave lower like modern bass clarinet notation does. Modern composers should adhere to the standard of writing in treble clef, however when the instrument had still been only recently invented, composers in different countries had different standards for its notation. Orchestral pieces tend to use the original notation rather than updating it to modern standards. Horn and trumpet parts are also significantly affected by this since the older parts were written for multiple keys of horns/ trumpets and not just in F/ Bb. So players must learn to sight transpose these parts. Also key signatures are often not written in orchestral scores for the horn and trumpet, even thought they are standard in concert band and big band works.
You have 4 conventions: French, German, Italian, Russian. Talking only about octaves and leaving aside the 1 tone difference due to it being a Bb instrument, here how the conventions go: - French uses all treble clef, down to 4 ledger line or 5 spaces below the staff to reach low C. Its notated one octave higher than sounded. That's the one you're used to. - Italian notation: same as French, that is, notated one octave higher, but allows occasional use of bass clef to avoid the too many ledger below notated middle C. It's a convenience notation. Pretty rare. - German: notated at the octave it sounds. When it has too many ledger lines above the staff, it can switch to treble clef. (It's similar to bassoon notation except that bassoon uses tenor clef to cut on ledger lines above the staff). That's the one used in many orchestral works, the one being refered to here. - Russian: weirdest of all, it combines some French and some German elements. It uses the treble clef like the French notation, notating one octave higher, but when it switches to bass clef, it is notated at sounded octave. If you ask me, I prefer the German system. Or, if using the French system, I would have preferred to allow for the use of tenor clef (instead of the bass clef used by Italians) to notate the lower octave.
oh wow i love this. i told family member. looks like clarinet sax combo and I love the bassy sound. I'm learning bass guitar. i started to learn clarinet in grade school
I know guitar isn’t very popular in symphony orchestra but could you do a video on the guitar because you guys have a euphonium video and it would be really cool to see
Thank you so much, Mr Ben Slimane, for your exposé. You are giving me the desire to start again learning that beautiful instrument, that I played a long time ago. Your sound is amazingly rich and deep. I have a quastion; is it possible to find recordings of only the bass clarinet? I would like so much hearing compositions involving only this instrument. Thanks for your inspiration, and your help.
I’ve done really good on bass clarinet since I was the only person in my school to get chosen for honor band and Las Vegas Academy (Performing arts school)
What a beautiful sounding instrument and so well-presented! I learned so much from this video! I look forward to watching more! A question for Laurent - you said that sometimes you have to double up and play soprano clarinet or contrabass clarinet too - do you have a stand where you can sit your bass clarinet or does it have to lie in its case? :)
I played the bass clarinet for two years in the school concert band when I was at high school. I remember the instrument being very heavy to carry around when it was packed away in its case. I also found it hard to get bass clarinet reeds as not many of them were sold in music stores back then (I’m talking early 90s in my town) so I used tenor sax reeds, which fitted just as well as a bass clarinet reed.
I just stumbled upon your channel. All I can say is WOW, QUITE IMPRESSIVE. Subbed and liked. I plan to watch more of your videos. You seem extremely knowledgeable and are an extreme pleasure to watch and learn from.
I played a trombone in middle school. I wasn't very good, had to carry it over a mile walking to school with no handle on my case, and was more interested in a smaller instrument. I wish I had continued in some band activity, but sadly, no. I am old and gray now and thinking about some form of clarinet or saxaphone as I like the sounds.
It reminds me of that chromatic scale on the contrabassoon... For the first few dozen notes I hear a DESCENDING scale when the guy is actually going up the scale ruclips.net/video/pFjIcpY_MnE/видео.html
Yup! It's the harmonics! At such low notes(and with such a harmonically rich instrument/player) the higher harmonics are easier to our ears to hear than the fundamental!
Good players (this guy is like one of the best in the world) with good bass clarinets can create great overtones. I can sometimes hear them when me and my clarinet teacher work on lower notes, but it's no where near as pronounced as this guys notes
I play bass clarinet but its completely broken. Can't play any high notes, no peg, no neckstrap, its dented and leaky. The school wont bother to fix it and everyone thinks that the bass clarinet just sucks. Your tone shows that the bass clarinet truly is a beautiful instrument and deserves more love.
Im playing this in marching band and the bass im using is alot different XD it's only four pieces with the joints being one continuous piece. I also play a Bb clarinet for concert band so i know how simular yet different they are! So fun!
When I played in high school my parts could be a mix from soprano clarinet all the down to a few tuba parts. I loved it. The majority was paired with trombone and low sax.
I switched to bass clarinet from flute about 2 months ago. I still can't get over the break for a high C, and I struggle getting clear low notes. Luckily, my grade level's music doesn't have a lot of low notes. There's a piece we're doing now for our spring concert where it goes from a low G to two slurred Cs and a quarter note C. It's absolutely my favorite part of any music I've ever done, and I often find myself playing it over and over after my band instructor tells us to pack up. I have not learned to read bass clef, though I probably should lol. I struggled a lot with getting the right notes without squeaks, and I'm still unsure of how to get to that high C without going over the break. Very worried I'm gonna end up breaking a reed. Anyway, flute made me MISERABLE I hated it so much, even though it is rather easy. It frustrated me to no end for how high maintenance it was. Also, in the video he mentioned you would have to be a good clarinet player to play bass clarinet. I've never touched a clarinet, and I'm still doing decent on bass clarinet for how long I've been playing. I was given two days of solo practice then started playing with the band. Thank you for reading.
great video! bass clarinet sounds amazing! very helpful and intresting even though I don't play bass clarinet! but I'm wondering why your finger has a bandage
In my school band I (I’m the only person that plays bass clarinet) I usually accompany the tuba, but I typically practice with the bassoons, really depends on the music we are playing since it’s a preforming band.
@@joshhayward9376 ok thank you. It's just strange because whenever there is two bassoon parts in my wind ensemble, I end up playing the second bassoon part on my bass clarinet. I had to learn how to transpose to do this.
Sometimes the bass will double the clarinet when the clarinet is playing in the high end of the first register (like G through B flat), where the clarinet is a bit weak and breathy. The bass clarinet will play a written octave higher, playing in the second register.
Being it’s summer I had to leave my bass clarinet because it’s not my main instrument I can only use it next year I just got to take home my horn and my tuba as well as my bass. And I love all of those instruments but I do miss my bass clarinet badly.
I used to double soprano and bass clarinet in school. I loved both, though I haven't touched either in over two decades. The draw towards them is coming back, though...
My band director just asked me if I wanted to switch to bass clarinet from a b flat clarinet. I’m a little on the fence about it and I’m going to try it tomorrow to see if I like it
I'm surprised that you mentioned that you have to learn the bass clef in order to learn the bass clarinet. I agree that it is going to be necessary at some point and learning to be fluent at reading in the bass clef is advisable for all musicians, even if your speciality is the piccolo or the glockenspiel. However most music written for bass clarinet seems to be written in the treble clef. I prefer the so-called German system of writing it on the bass clef and reading the pars transposed up a tone, but I didn't think it was at all common these days. Perhaps I'm mistaken there.
As a fellow bass clarinet player, I have heard people say to me “oh, you play the knock off saxophone” or whatever. Well, if you ever hear this tell the person the bass clarinet was invented in 1838 and as the sax was invented in 1846.
And tell the bass clarinet players playing with a honky tonk sax-like tone to learn to play their bass clarinets like clarinets and not saxophones.
No denigration to the saxes, but most people have no idea you can jazz with a bass clarinet. It has a wonderful mellow sound. A couple of examples:
ruclips.net/video/hM4n_NQHxao/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/xxmLaETMSUc/видео.html
at least its not as loud and obnoxious
And guess who it was who invented the modern bass clarinet in 1838 😉
@@sirboomsalot4902 I'd rather say "developed," rather than "invented." Yes, it was Adolphe Sax.
This guy's tone is EXCEPTIONAL. I have never heard a bass clarinet like this before. I played one in high school. It was an old, raspy, leaky, squeaky disaster. I didn't even think it was supposed to sound good. Then I hear this. His high tones just sound like a regular clarinet, which I didn't think was possible. And he's playing it in a sound-deadened room too.
I was memorized by the BC the moment I heard it. I just never got the opportunity to expand on playing it in school because they were always in the repair shop. They come back then a week or two later, they'd be broken again. If I had waited, I never would have learned the clarinet.
Thanks for your lovely comment. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Same! But I think my school's bass clarinet (that I used) was old and gross.
Playing on a professional BC, especially a Buffet, will make a huge difference in tone across the board. However, his comments about his different embouchures, is spot on!
I want all the instruments, even if I had all the money I wouldn't be able to find time to play them all!
I feel you...
This is the most beautiful instrument tone I’ve ever heard in my life. This video actually inspired me to go and get a bass clarinet as my main instrument and play it. First time I heard this I was actually shocked and I immediately knew that this was the right instrument for me. It’s been over two years now and I’m still learning and improving.
That's wonderful to hear that you were inspired to play the bass clarinet from this video! Thank you for sharing. It really is a beautiful instrument.
Bassoon And Bass Clarinet Are My Favorite Low Woodwind Instruments
Do you think it is easy for someone to learn to play if they haven’t ever played a woodwind?
@@telemachia Nope. Bass clarinet has the same challenges of other woodwinds, but a HUGE payoff once you get it right!
I actually "woohoo!"-ed out loud when seeing that Video pop up😄😄😄
That's the reaction we always hope for!
I got chosen to play Bass Clarinet/Clarinet/Eb Clarinet in my local Youth Orchestra, super excited!
That's great! Congratulations. Best of luck on your clarinet journey!
In school, I played Bb bass clarinet and Bb contrabass clarinet for nearly 10 years, even made district, state, and national honors-- I was ranked #1 contrabass clarinetist my senior year in school. I've always loved the bass and have always found videos sharing and celebrating its unique sound endearing. My family's dream was for me to have done what this man is doing, but I was young, foolish, and undisciplined as a teen. It remains one of my regrets in life that I didn't take my gifts and training to the next level, and if I could do it all over again, I would have chosen differently and pursued a career in music.
The new Selmer contrabass goes for 30 grand! Quite a price for a grunting drainpipe.
I played this in high school and honestly it's almost as fun as playing piano. Such an amazing instrument.
I play the bass clarinet now for nearly 10 years as my main. I really love it and I'm so glad that you made this video. It is absolutely winderfull for me to see and I think aswell for people who don't know the bass clarinet at all or not that well. Your sound is amazing I love the way you play thos instrument. It's absolutely exceptionell.
I’ve always felt like a fool for choosing the bass clarinet. I’ve always had a hard time finding pieces to play since I was just so upset that I got this instrument, bass clarinetes are used less in my class so I’m always left out.
But today, I was listening to one of my favorite soundtracks and noticed that the bass clarinet was in there! I found myself tapping my foot and dancing around to the music!
I’m watching these videos to get better at my instrument! Ive never felt more proud to own this beautiful instrument!!!
I think perhaps you can make one for the conductor, after all, they are a part of the orchestra and it would be fascinating to get a behind the scenes look at conducting
Hello! We have already made a film about the conductor, featuring our Principal Conductor, Esa-Pekka Salonen: ruclips.net/video/ILkYMD8zuH8/видео.html
You should also take a look at our Conductors playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLqR22EoucCyfgEieFYGFDXq0QXh9R9ivP
As a bass clarinet player with sensory issues, I absolutely adore playing it, because now I can play high notes without having to stop or wince. However it’s just not low enough for me, so in high school I would love to play contrabass during concert season and March with a bass!
The contra bass go lower, but the its a grittier sound tolerable for only short passages. The BC is so smooth across its entire range its almost intoxicating.
Thank you very much for posting this! I was disappointed when I saw the original was only 2 minutes. I'm so glad this one goes in depth. As a professional bass clarinet player, this is one of the most gorgeous instruments!
We're glad you like the new video!
Finally I've been waiting for this one for a long time! I just ordered a bass clarinet yesterday 😍
Congratulations! Enjoy!
We are getting more and more.
What brand? I want to get one, but the ones I actually want cost too much
I- how do people get like 10k dollars to spend on a instrument 💀
It’s SO much fun to play, highly suggest doing breathing exercises cause it takes a heck ton of air 😂
I love how these get longer and more detailed with each installment!
We are grateful that our audiences have an appetite for longer form content, and that our musicians can deliver. It's a win - win situation!
@@philharmonia_orchestra Indeed! You've been doing these for what? Six years now? They are some amazing work, it's always a treat when a new video of yours pops up on my subscription box, not just the orchestra guides but the listening guides as well, wonderful work!
I've been watching since the first of these, and now it's been two years I've begun studying the violin, in part thanks to your videos!
Thank you for sticking with us all of these years! Yes, the original series was done as extra filming around the release of our iPad app, "The Orchestra", which is still available. We kept working on these films and have enjoyed doing some re-releases and also exploring more obscure instruments. We'll keep it up!
Thanks so much for this. I’m starting on the clarinet and hope to move to the bass clarinet soon.
Fantastic!
I play too!!! :)
Even when it's playing a simple scale the bass clarinet always sounds so dark and mysterious to me. Mr Slimane has a beautiful and expressive sound. Thank you. 😼
Thank you very much for your nice words! It's really appreciated!
It can be dark, serene, or whimsical. That's why I love it so much.
Finally, a bass clarinet video!! You guys have the best videos on RUclips in regards to almost every instrument, keep up the good work! And I applaud the extreme talent you guys have. I could only hope to do something like that one day.
Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback.
Laurent is such a beast !!
Its my dream to be a composer. Coming from a country that has little to no orchestral music, this channel has been extremely helpful in understanding how different instruments in an orchestra work. Thanks.
You're welcome and thanks so much for this great feedback. We hope you have subscribed to the channel!
As the only bass clarinet, in a small school. I have a old,and bad condition clarinet. I didnt knwo they could sound this good. I wish I could use one of these. I have always been good in my band, always the guy at the back with the perfect crescendos and articulations. I've never played as fast as you. But sitting down I struggle with fingerging the fast and rapid notes. I always loved playing a smooth low. I moved to Spain for family reasons,and I couldn't play my clarinet. I lost a lot of my talent. I just wish I could have a good clarinet and have the talent as this man.
You'll have to buy your own. A used Vito or Yamaha (avoid Yamahas made before the '80s) should do. Be sure to replace padding and fix leaky keys, etc., where need be.
The Selmer goes for about 10 grand. This dude has the low C model, which costs even more. Way beyond the reach of most players.
I've been playing the Bass Clarinet for the last five years and it's still my favourite instrument! Thank you for this wonderful video!!
Wonderful! Thank YOU for watching!
I'm a Rock Drummer and I have no clue why I ended up watching this video - but - I watched the entire thing and I absolutely loved it. Educational, informative and just plain interesting. Thank you Laurent, excellent explanation - you're quite talented!
Thanks so much for tuning in! We have more films on the way - subscribe to keep up with all of our releases!
I have been playing the bass clarinet for about 7-8 months now and I love the sound of the bass clarinet now I’m in marching band the bass clarinet is my second instrument I played after the playing the clarinet
So helpful for composers. Seriously. Thanks for posting this.
It's about time! Two minutes of showcase doesn't do this wonderful instrument well!
The bass clarinet is a wonderful instrument. I cannot get enough oft these phantastic presentations from London about it.
We're glad you liked this. Thanks so much for tuning in.
Lol, "Philharmonia".
I’m so excited!! My Band instructor told me that I’m going to upgrade to the Bass clarinet because I’m ready to go and he needs a really good player! WOOHOO!!
How’s it going?
Bass clarinet is easier to play but it’s harder because normally there’s only 1 or 2
Thank you s much for this video. It gave information to many people, who is starting with bass clarinet (like me).
thank you for this video, it's clear and educational
My dad told me My grandfather played the Bass Clarinet in the West Kent regiment and was hardly ever herd drowned out by the rest of the bandsman . But when he played solo at Queen Victoria's funeral every one herd him for the first time. It brought tears to your eyes. I wish I knew what music He played .Dose anyone out there know
This video gave me an appreciation for the bass clarinet. You have a beautiful tone.
I could not play anything in my high school band. But when I was given a base clarinet I realized wow I really like this.
I played bass clarinet in High School, and loved it- played SO many melodic parts, similar to the bary sax. We went to 4-State Bandmasters Convention one year, played John Barnes Chance's "Elegy"- last piece of the concert, ended on a haunting note with myself and oboe harmonizing, disappearing from a fortissimo to a quadruple pianissimo and then just tapering off to nothing... I can still remember the audience sitting for 5-10 seconds dead silent before they burst into applause and a standing ovation...
I played bass clarinet from grade 7-12 and I love the sound of this instrument! Someday, I will buy my own. I miss it so much! I haven’t touched one on 5 years! 😭
The older TV series "Gunsmoke" had a lot of bass clarinet in the show, usually solo. It was a nice showcase.
The BC is used judiciously in TV. In fact, its hard to find a TV show without it. You can hear it used in every episode of Monk
I play Bb clarinet and I was curious as to what a bass clarinet sounds like, so here I am! Great video
Me too, only been playing for a year. Was curious if Bass Clarinet had a deeper and lower tone
I’m a trumpet player but love the bass clarinet. It would definitely be my first choice woodwind instrument.
My Dad heard Eric Dolphy playing a bass clarinet. His was a low D model. My Dad said that Eric's playing sounded like a turkey cock being chased around a farmyard.
extraordinary presentation of a beautiful instrument
There's one really significant and hair-raising bass clarinet solo that you omitted - the start of the finale of Symphony #3 by American composer William Schuman. Two other items always required in American auditions are "On the Trail" from Grand Canyon Suite (by Ferde Grofe) and Siegfried's Rhine Journey (Wagner). Thanks for this tutorial - I wish this had been around when I was learning the instrument! (retired now)
Dear Frank,
Thanks for your comment. And you’re absolutely right, I could have played the excerpts you mentioned but there are too many good bass clarinet solos to choose from! Maybe in an other video!
Thank you for the fine overview of the bass clarinet. Much appreciated! As for being able to play the saxophone easily after this instrument, to an extent, yes. But not with good quality sound, because the embouchure and breathing must be changed significantly. Unlike clarinets, the saxophone has not constant bore opening in the body, and a lot more air, at a slower velocity, must be pushed through.
Similarly, I started out with clarinet, my junior high band had 2 bass clarinets and I tested on it. I was the only kid who could play it properly, even using the register properly.
Yes I did enjoy it very much Laurent,Thank you and God bless!
I enjoyed the presentation! 😊 Thank you for all the details! 😊 I don't intend to learn the clarinet. I am only just very attracted to its sound. I really appreciate the quality of sound when you record this kind of presentations. I think it really makes a difference for the viewer. (That is to say the people behind the camera & 🎤 did a great job, also.) 😊 Thank you! 😊
Thank you for taking the time to feedback. We really appreciate hearing that our viewers value the quality we invest in these films.
I just want to say your tone is incredible. I'm Studying Stravinsky Rite of Spring for A Level Music and dare I say the sound you produce is 10 times better than any recording if ever heard. There was such depth and character to the bass clarinet that I never imagined!! Coming from a Sax player this sounds great 😄
You are my favorite classical music themed channel, top class! Thank you for this wonderful video!
Thank you so much! We are so glad to hear it. Thank you for spending time with us!
Haven't played clarinet in since HS decades ago. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed playing an instrument. Thanks to this presentation and reminding me. I'm going to order a BC and rekindle my musical past.
I played B Flat Soprano Clarinet in Jr. High School and part of high school before being asked to play the E Flat Alto Clarinet and E Flat Alto Saxophone in my last two years of high school marching and symphonic bands. I always wondered about the Bass Clarinet but did not really ask or learn about it. Nice explanation. Thank you.
I played one of these just today, it was an amazing experience.
Please do a guide for the contrabass clarinet!
I’ve been playing the bass clarinet for a year, and I saw their old video on it, and I’ve got to admit I wasn’t very satisfied with it, but this is way better! Keep up the great work!
Thank you!
What a beautiful looking and sounding instrument! I love the wonderful variety of timbres. The multiphonics are amazing. You play the Shostakovich and Stravinsky parts superbly.
I've never realised how good a (bass) clarinet both looks and sounds so great
In the part "Learning the Bass Clarinet" he says that the Bass Clef is the most important new thing to learn. But aren't Bass Clarinet parts usually written in treble clef as well (transposing down a major 9th)?
In orchestral works, it’s common to see bass clarinet parts written in both bass clef and treble clef.
Some of the older works (mostly orchestral works) are written in bass clef. The parts were still transposed in Bb like the regular clarinet however they did not transpose an octave lower like modern bass clarinet notation does. Modern composers should adhere to the standard of writing in treble clef, however when the instrument had still been only recently invented, composers in different countries had different standards for its notation. Orchestral pieces tend to use the original notation rather than updating it to modern standards. Horn and trumpet parts are also significantly affected by this since the older parts were written for multiple keys of horns/ trumpets and not just in F/ Bb. So players must learn to sight transpose these parts. Also key signatures are often not written in orchestral scores for the horn and trumpet, even thought they are standard in concert band and big band works.
You have 4 conventions: French, German, Italian, Russian.
Talking only about octaves and leaving aside the 1 tone difference due to it being a Bb instrument, here how the conventions go:
- French uses all treble clef, down to 4 ledger line or 5 spaces below the staff to reach low C. Its notated one octave higher than sounded. That's the one you're used to.
- Italian notation: same as French, that is, notated one octave higher, but allows occasional use of bass clef to avoid the too many ledger below notated middle C. It's a convenience notation. Pretty rare.
- German: notated at the octave it sounds. When it has too many ledger lines above the staff, it can switch to treble clef. (It's similar to bassoon notation except that bassoon uses tenor clef to cut on ledger lines above the staff). That's the one used in many orchestral works, the one being refered to here.
- Russian: weirdest of all, it combines some French and some German elements. It uses the treble clef like the French notation, notating one octave higher, but when it switches to bass clef, it is notated at sounded octave.
If you ask me, I prefer the German system. Or, if using the French system, I would have preferred to allow for the use of tenor clef (instead of the bass clef used by Italians) to notate the lower octave.
@@Zdrange03 odd that Saint-Saëns doesn't follow French convention in his bass clarinet writing for orchestra.
in high school band and things like that it’s typically written in treble clef but in orchestra it’s usually in bass
My younger brother wants to play this! I play the regular clarinet and my mom played bass clarinet and contrabass, along with regular.
A Family of clairinets! :)
I loved playing the bass clarinet, such a rich warm sound.
I would put on Tchaikovsky just to hear the bc parts
Thanks for making this video! It has been really useful to me, now that I am doubling on the bass clarinet in orchestra. Thank you!
You're most welcome! We hope you enjoy playing the bass clarinet!
oh wow i love this. i told family member. looks like clarinet sax combo and I love the bassy sound. I'm learning bass guitar. i started to learn clarinet in grade school
I know guitar isn’t very popular in symphony orchestra but could you do a video on the guitar because you guys have a euphonium video and it would be really cool to see
We agree. We hope to be able to do one at some point. Thanks for your feedback, and for spending time on the channel.
Philharmonia Orchestra (London, UK) of course, I’m glad that there’s a channel like this I can watch
We're glad to have you as a viewer!
I’d also like to see videos on the cimbasso, organ, synthesizer in the orchestra, piano, cimbalom, corner and flugelhorn please.
Oh, and bass oboe and heckelphone, please, if you can find them.
I've never been happier tbh
We're glad to hear it!
Thank you so much, Mr Ben Slimane, for your exposé. You are giving me the desire to start again learning that beautiful instrument, that I played a long time ago. Your sound is amazingly rich and deep. I have a quastion; is it possible to find recordings of only the bass clarinet? I would like so much hearing compositions involving only this instrument. Thanks for your inspiration, and your help.
Really complete and informative. Thank you!!!
what a tone! so goooooodd!
Played clarinet in high school and then our band director handed me the bass . Love both and hope to return to an instrument soon
Awesome presentation!
Thank you, Laurent. This was a wonderful exposé of this instrument.
Takes me back to high school. I played this pretty well
I’ve done really good on bass clarinet since I was the only person in my school to get chosen for honor band and Las Vegas Academy (Performing arts school)
Congratulations!
thank you a lot for this guide!!
You Made Awesome and great examples!!!!! I lOVE THIS VIDEO SO MUCH 😃
Nice tutorial on the bass clarinet, thank you!
My INSTRUMENT YES I am so happy because bass clarinets are not known but are played a lot
What a beautiful sounding instrument and so well-presented! I learned so much from this video! I look forward to watching more! A question for Laurent - you said that sometimes you have to double up and play soprano clarinet or contrabass clarinet too - do you have a stand where you can sit your bass clarinet or does it have to lie in its case? :)
I played the bass clarinet for two years in the school concert band when I was at high school. I remember the instrument being very heavy to carry around when it was packed away in its case. I also found it hard to get bass clarinet reeds as not many of them were sold in music stores back then (I’m talking early 90s in my town) so I used tenor sax reeds, which fitted just as well as a bass clarinet reed.
Very cool video! The tone of that instrument is very pleasant. :-)
I Seriously Want This Instrument
I just stumbled upon your channel. All I can say is WOW, QUITE IMPRESSIVE. Subbed and liked. I plan to watch more of your videos. You seem extremely knowledgeable and are an extreme pleasure to watch and learn from.
I played a trombone in middle school. I wasn't very good, had to carry it over a mile walking to school with no handle on my case, and was more interested in a smaller instrument. I wish I had continued in some band activity, but sadly, no. I am old and gray now and thinking about some form of clarinet or saxaphone as I like the sounds.
Can anybody hear a higher second sound when he is playing low notes? They are very audible in the 7th symphony excerpt.
It reminds me of that chromatic scale on the contrabassoon... For the first few dozen notes I hear a DESCENDING scale when the guy is actually going up the scale ruclips.net/video/pFjIcpY_MnE/видео.html
Yup! It's the harmonics!
At such low notes(and with such a harmonically rich instrument/player) the higher harmonics are easier to our ears to hear than the fundamental!
RayFlutist2740 it’s probably the tone hole pads opening and closing.
Good players (this guy is like one of the best in the world) with good bass clarinets can create great overtones. I can sometimes hear them when me and my clarinet teacher work on lower notes, but it's no where near as pronounced as this guys notes
@@ivyssauro123 Could not have said it better.
can say that bass clarinet is by far the best
It's a good instrument.
You guys are the best!
Im switching to bass clairanet next year so thats why im watching this! Im currently a clairanet.
That's the good thing about the clarinet family -- if you can play one, you can play them all. Think of it as an addition.
I play bass clarinet but its completely broken. Can't play any high notes, no peg, no neckstrap, its dented and leaky. The school wont bother to fix it and everyone thinks that the bass clarinet just sucks. Your tone shows that the bass clarinet truly is a beautiful instrument and deserves more love.
Im playing this in marching band and the bass im using is alot different XD it's only four pieces with the joints being one continuous piece. I also play a Bb clarinet for concert band so i know how simular yet different they are! So fun!
Since you like low instruments what about getting a Contrabass Clarinet
I wish i was that good
I love philharmonia
Oh thank you!
3:28 Sounds like a sopranino clarinet
That's what makes the BC so unique. It cuts such a wide clarinet swath.
When I played in high school my parts could be a mix from soprano clarinet all the down to a few tuba parts. I loved it. The majority was paired with trombone and low sax.
I switched to bass clarinet from flute about 2 months ago. I still can't get over the break for a high C, and I struggle getting clear low notes. Luckily, my grade level's music doesn't have a lot of low notes. There's a piece we're doing now for our spring concert where it goes from a low G to two slurred Cs and a quarter note C. It's absolutely my favorite part of any music I've ever done, and I often find myself playing it over and over after my band instructor tells us to pack up. I have not learned to read bass clef, though I probably should lol. I struggled a lot with getting the right notes without squeaks, and I'm still unsure of how to get to that high C without going over the break. Very worried I'm gonna end up breaking a reed.
Anyway, flute made me MISERABLE I hated it so much, even though it is rather easy. It frustrated me to no end for how high maintenance it was.
Also, in the video he mentioned you would have to be a good clarinet player to play bass clarinet. I've never touched a clarinet, and I'm still doing decent on bass clarinet for how long I've been playing. I was given two days of solo practice then started playing with the band.
Thank you for reading.
great video! bass clarinet sounds amazing! very helpful and intresting even though I don't play bass clarinet!
but I'm wondering why your finger has a bandage
Beautiful. I have a question about the bass clarinet role in orchestra. Does it often double bassoon or the bass line (tuba, double bass, etc.)
Bassoon usually plays the bass part and the tenor part. It occasionally doubles the bass clarinet but usually plays something different
In my school band I (I’m the only person that plays bass clarinet) I usually accompany the tuba, but I typically practice with the bassoons, really depends on the music we are playing since it’s a preforming band.
@@joshhayward9376 ok thank you. It's just strange because whenever there is two bassoon parts in my wind ensemble, I end up playing the second bassoon part on my bass clarinet. I had to learn how to transpose to do this.
@@wildravez9963 I played bassoon parts on alto clarinet, as we had no bassoon and transposing is easy for e-flat instruments from bass clef parts.
Sometimes the bass will double the clarinet when the clarinet is playing in the high end of the first register (like G through B flat), where the clarinet is a bit weak and breathy. The bass clarinet will play a written octave higher, playing in the second register.
Lmao I didn’t thought that singing while playing was a thing, I used to do it to joke around 😂
I am doing Band at my school, right now it’s between Bass Clarinet or Trumpet,
I have an old Selmer bass clarinet. It has a removable low D extension.
Being it’s summer I had to leave my bass clarinet because it’s not my main instrument I can only use it next year I just got to take home my horn and my tuba as well as my bass. And I love all of those instruments but I do miss my bass clarinet badly.
I used to double soprano and bass clarinet in school. I loved both, though I haven't touched either in over two decades. The draw towards them is coming back, though...
Can you do contrabass clarinet? It’s the only instrument in your app that doesn’t have a demo video or a piano range
Will there be a contrabass clarinet video?
My band director just asked me if I wanted to switch to bass clarinet from a b flat clarinet. I’m a little on the fence about it and I’m going to try it tomorrow to see if I like it
You'd be expanding you horizons. You'll thank him later.
I'm surprised that you mentioned that you have to learn the bass clef in order to learn the bass clarinet. I agree that it is going to be necessary at some point and learning to be fluent at reading in the bass clef is advisable for all musicians, even if your speciality is the piccolo or the glockenspiel. However most music written for bass clarinet seems to be written in the treble clef. I prefer the so-called German system of writing it on the bass clef and reading the pars transposed up a tone, but I didn't think it was at all common these days. Perhaps I'm mistaken there.
On top of that, it will be useful if you need to double a bass clef instrument like the bassoon or double bass(i did this for my band)