Not only is it a clarinet in a jazz setting, it's CONTRABASS clarinet in a jazz setting. I hope to get one in the future to satisfy those low note cravings man; high and middle range gets stale after awhile.
It’s nice to have your low notes sound badass, (I play bass trombone) and I can finally have a woodwind counterpart be able to make those notes sound so badass.
Who knew - watching a single musician - playing a single instrument - could be would be - so interesting so entertaining? Thoroughly enjoyed that. Thanks.
@@DonZephyrOliveJr Your welcome Dave, honestly it's a life mystery to see someone master an instrument and read notes lol. Your life skills are nice to watch.
It was either a bass or baritone saxophone playing that line. It is probably a bass saxophone because you could hear saxophone doubling the tuba part by the end in the same octave
This video featuring Don Zephr Olive, Jr really shows the charm and power of the Contrabass clarinet. It also demonstrates the unique sound that low woodwinds can contribute to musical compositions and arrangements. Outstanding!
I’m curious: was this part written out or did you just play some other part? And what would your band have done if there were no contrabass clarinet? My university jazz ensemble rarely even played any pieces with any sort of clarinet parts in them to begin with.
One thing I hate about mine is the Leblanc mouthpiece is utter garbage. Got a vandoren ligature. It helps a little with tone and helps a lot with how fast your sound starts. Overall gets a better grip of the reed. 2 other things are where the “goose neck” as I call it where it connects to the instrument pisses spit all over me. Idk how to fix it and I don’t have those lower notes like a paperclip model. It angers me so much. But it’s a hoot to play
I've never had trouble getting the thing to speak on command. Don't bother with those wooden reeds. Go with synthetic Legere reeds. They are always ready to sing.
Don Zephyr Olive, Jr I would love to get synthetic but band directors prefers cane. He lets me use my synthetic but it’s getting old only have the one. His rule is 5 reeds at all times. One for each day of the week. Synthetic lasts a long time but he still says I should cycle through them. So that would be about $100 just in reeds. Not to mention I have to pay $800 once a year just to clean it. Have you ever experienced spit leakage where the detachable next connects to the rest?
Big Chungus Using cane with these is a bad idea because of how likely theh are to warp. And as Mr. Olive said, Légères will ways be ready to play, and they last a good 6 months per reed.
Sans the Skeleton Very true. Today I opened my case and saw I left out a reed because I was running late to speech yesterday, that reed warped really bad. I’m sure the drop of temp last night didn’t help but it’s toast now. Also one of my spring shot out sometime yesterday without me knowing so the whole thing is unplayable lol. To the shop it goes.
@@SHIP-IT Blow hard and don't be afraid of it. It's a low frequency so you are filling in the bottom of the spectrum. Fill the instrument and fill the room. It makes a huge difference. Just breath deeply and blow. :)
@@DonZephyrOliveJr Ty!!! I actually caught onto it pretty quickly and now I'm a breathing machine 😂 Contra is so much fun and everyone was like, "What the heck is that thing"
What price would one expect to pay for a LeBlanc metal contrabass, if in decent condition? My nephew is nuts about contrabass clarinet for some reason. There is one on craig's list and the guy wants $3000. That is about the limit I want to spend on a 19 year old, who may change his interest. Basically Brother, I'd like to know if I could get my money back in case the kid loses his desire to take up what looks to me as, an unweldy thing to play. Although I must admit it sounded cool in your video, which was very helpful to me. Thanks for your time and expertise. Bob Forrester
@@ImHappy2poo It's a Lagere synthetic reed. They are so durable and always ready. And they don't go soft. Stiff reeds are for high frequencies. Go soft, low, and resonate.
And don't use 3 or 3.5 stiffness. This is a bass instrument and you wan't lots of flexibility. Go soft. Let it reverberate. I think mine is a 2.25. Legere come in 1/4 increments. With a soft reed you have to control it though with a good ear and emborchure.
I've got soprano and a little bass experience and just started on contra... it's gorgeous, but I'm really struggling to get it over the break and into the upper octaves. Any suggestions?
voicing seems to be your very best friend in low clarinets, especially for contra, coming from soprano can be very difficult (i know because my asshole director is making me play soprano and contra in the same concert >:( it can also be partly from gear (im assuming that its a school instrument so it might not be in the best shape) but good luck and im happy that you enjoy the contra -HS bass clarinet player
@@fsdhuy Funny enough, that contra got refurbished this year and now I can play it just fine. Turns out it's hard to get notes out when the pads don't seal properly. Go figure!
I looked up the score for this song and there is an Eb contrabass clarinet part (contralto) but this appears to be a Bb contra that you're playing (or is it an Eb?) so I'm wondering what part did you play?
Not transposed tuba part or bass clarinet part. The guy sitting next to me was playing bass clarinet. Barker wrote a separate contra part. It crossed over between the low brass and low sax parts. I liked it because it used both registers well.
This is an entire medley of Gershwin's music, starting with Fascinating Rhythm, then Embraceable You, after which Somebody Loves Me, and Someone to Watch Over Me follow. I Got Rhythm bookends the piece, and this arrangement is by Warren Barker.
What reed do you use??? I play contrabass myself and i need to know a good one cause the vandoren traditionals always split somehow but the cheap rico reeds dont.
Used fiberglass reed for bass clarinet in college back in 60's and loved it. After not playing for many years picked up an old bundy bass and used cane reeds as hadn't found the Legere. Now that I have a decent horn and the Legere reed I am a much happier camper. That reed is the only way to go. Worth the cost.
@@chody07 yeah! Use a stiffer reed, but prep it too, its easy on lower notes to not get them to speak or voice right, and having a bad reed wont help. Find a stool or chair that you feel comfortable in and is the right height, without one your going to suffer. Stay relaxed and really work on forming a proper embachure from the get go, its similar to bass but different enough that you will for sure feel a change.
Conrabass clarinet is so cool but Mr Gershwin is meh!!! I can't like him! It's not bad but overrated! If it was Hungarian Canadian or lived in Poland or Netherlands.. You don't know him!
Not only is it a clarinet in a jazz setting, it's CONTRABASS clarinet in a jazz setting. I hope to get one in the future to satisfy those low note cravings man; high and middle range gets stale after awhile.
this is a jazz-influenced classical setting
more like a jazz style
True
Have you been living under a rock for the past 150 years? Clarinets have always been in jazz
As a fellow contrabass clarinetist, this is music to my ears :)
Y’all exist?
@@araxshiriau9275 Yeah :D
as an orchestra enjoyer, this is music to my ears
It’s nice to have your low notes sound badass, (I play bass trombone) and I can finally have a woodwind counterpart be able to make those notes sound so badass.
Contrabadass... You go.
Tuba can too, probably don’t believe me but I can personally blast down to pedal D, also professionals make them sound really good
I LOVE the Contrabadass Clarinet. Would love to play one again in the future.
Who knew - watching a single musician - playing a single instrument - could be would be - so interesting so entertaining? Thoroughly enjoyed that. Thanks.
I wish I could afford a contrabass or even a contralto! It sounds so good!!!!!!
I wish I could play contrabass but I only have a contra alto clarinet
Update:I have a contrabass now
I’m in middle school right now playing bass, but I want to play contrabass in high school.
@@g67785 i tried a contrabass last friday and it is AMAZING
Man I’m so jealous.
@@g67785 however I cant take it home or play it at all until next weekdend
Aww. Well at least you got to try it.
Nice baritone sax tone at 3:17 and when the contrabass clarinet comes in afterwards they blend so well together.
Warren and his family were my friends when I was young. Nice to hear his music. Thanks
such a beautiful instrument!!! just wow, i miss my regular bass clarinet
My bass clarinet heart loves this SO DANG MUCH. ❤ Low reeds unite!
I'm so removed from anything instrumental but I totally was into watching you and your ability to work that Contrabass!
Thanks Roger. It was fun.
@@DonZephyrOliveJr Your welcome Dave, honestly it's a life mystery to see someone master an instrument and read notes lol. Your life skills are nice to watch.
3:16 that kinda sounded like a bari sax! very nice instrument
It was playing the same line as the bari sax
It was either a bass or baritone saxophone playing that line. It is probably a bass saxophone because you could hear saxophone doubling the tuba part by the end in the same octave
Facinating
This video featuring Don Zephr Olive, Jr really shows the charm and power of the Contrabass clarinet. It also demonstrates the unique sound that low woodwinds can contribute to musical compositions and arrangements. Outstanding!
Nice!! I played Contrabass in high school, I was short and had to sit on a stool to play it or stand up lol But I had the wind to make it sing!
this rhythm is quite fascinating. well done.
The amount that A key is bending scares me.
I’m really groovin with this
When I was in junior high, the jazz band directors didn't let me try out for jazz band because, and I quote, "there's no contra clarinets in jazz."
1:04 I love the briefness of the last note of his line here.
Man, I really want one of those.😭😭😭
I’m curious: was this part written out or did you just play some other part? And what would your band have done if there were no contrabass clarinet? My university jazz ensemble rarely even played any pieces with any sort of clarinet parts in them to begin with.
Awesome!!!
5:39
The beat drop is R E A L
One thing I hate about mine is the Leblanc mouthpiece is utter garbage. Got a vandoren ligature. It helps a little with tone and helps a lot with how fast your sound starts. Overall gets a better grip of the reed. 2 other things are where the “goose neck” as I call it where it connects to the instrument pisses spit all over me. Idk how to fix it and I don’t have those lower notes like a paperclip model. It angers me so much. But it’s a hoot to play
I've never had trouble getting the thing to speak on command. Don't bother with those wooden reeds. Go with synthetic Legere reeds. They are always ready to sing.
Don Zephyr Olive, Jr I would love to get synthetic but band directors prefers cane. He lets me use my synthetic but it’s getting old only have the one. His rule is 5 reeds at all times. One for each day of the week. Synthetic lasts a long time but he still says I should cycle through them. So that would be about $100 just in reeds. Not to mention I have to pay $800 once a year just to clean it. Have you ever experienced spit leakage where the detachable next connects to the rest?
Big Chungus Using cane with these is a bad idea because of how likely theh are to warp. And as Mr. Olive said, Légères will ways be ready to play, and they last a good 6 months per reed.
Sans the Skeleton Very true. Today I opened my case and saw I left out a reed because I was running late to speech yesterday, that reed warped really bad. I’m sure the drop of temp last night didn’t help but it’s toast now. Also one of my spring shot out sometime yesterday without me knowing so the whole thing is unplayable lol. To the shop it goes.
@@ImHappy2poo Ignore his rule. Those synthetics don't get old as fast as wood. They don't absorb water. They don''t change shape when they dry out.
I never knew contrabass clarinet existed.
It's spelled "Contrabadass Clarinet".
@@DonZephyrOliveJr haha facts. I'm starting contrabass on monday and I'm in 9th grade. Got any tips for starting out??
@@SHIP-IT Lots of breath, blow hard, don't be afraid of being heard. It's a low frequency. You can't go wrong. Just fill the space.
@@SHIP-IT Blow hard and don't be afraid of it. It's a low frequency so you are filling in the bottom of the spectrum. Fill the instrument and fill the room. It makes a huge difference. Just breath deeply and blow. :)
@@DonZephyrOliveJr Ty!!! I actually caught onto it pretty quickly and now I'm a breathing machine 😂 Contra is so much fun and everyone was like, "What the heck is that thing"
What price would one expect to pay for a LeBlanc metal contrabass, if in decent condition? My nephew is nuts about contrabass clarinet for some reason. There is one on craig's list and the guy wants $3000. That is about the limit I want to spend on a 19 year old, who may change his interest. Basically Brother, I'd like to know if I could get my money back in case the kid loses his desire to take up what looks to me as, an unweldy thing to play. Although I must admit it sounded cool in your video, which was very helpful to me. Thanks for your time and expertise. Bob Forrester
That's not a bad price.
Anyone else hearing Deep Purple - Burn main riff here?
I want one…so bad you have no idea
nice
Very enjoyable, thanks for sharing! Might I ask what reed you use?
DachshundDad Bob definitely a Vandoren. I use 3. He’s probably using a 3 or a 3 & 1/2
I'm using a synthetic reed made by Legere. It's the only way to go these days. Clarinet, Bass, Contra, etc.
@@ImHappy2poo It's a Lagere synthetic reed. They are so durable and always ready. And they don't go soft. Stiff reeds are for high frequencies. Go soft, low, and resonate.
And don't use 3 or 3.5 stiffness. This is a bass instrument and you wan't lots of flexibility. Go soft. Let it reverberate. I think mine is a 2.25. Legere come in 1/4 increments. With a soft reed you have to control it though with a good ear and emborchure.
contrabass clarinets are rare, where did you get yours?
He looks like Mr. Weasley if he was blonde.
Who is Mr. Weasley?
Don Zephyr Olive, Jr from Harry Potter.
I've got soprano and a little bass experience and just started on contra... it's gorgeous, but I'm really struggling to get it over the break and into the upper octaves. Any suggestions?
Faster air and tighter corners maybe? Idk man i only the regular Bb clarinet but thats what i do
voicing seems to be your very best friend in low clarinets, especially for contra, coming from soprano can be very difficult (i know because my asshole director is making me play soprano and contra in the same concert >:(
it can also be partly from gear (im assuming that its a school instrument so it might not be in the best shape)
but good luck and im happy that you enjoy the contra
-HS bass clarinet player
@@fsdhuy Funny enough, that contra got refurbished this year and now I can play it just fine. Turns out it's hard to get notes out when the pads don't seal properly. Go figure!
Anyone know a good "cheap" contrabass clarinet that can be found in America and England? i know that's oddly specific lol
I looked up the score for this song and there is an Eb contrabass clarinet part (contralto) but this appears to be a Bb contra that you're playing (or is it an Eb?) so I'm wondering what part did you play?
i would guess maybe a transposed tuba part
@@zs0005 That or the bass clarinet part
Not transposed tuba part or bass clarinet part. The guy sitting next to me was playing bass clarinet. Barker wrote a separate contra part. It crossed over between the low brass and low sax parts. I liked it because it used both registers well.
Stupid question, what Gershwin song is this?
This is an entire medley of Gershwin's music, starting with Fascinating Rhythm, then Embraceable You, after which Somebody Loves Me, and Someone to Watch Over Me follow. I Got Rhythm bookends the piece, and this arrangement is by Warren Barker.
Beautiful horn.. in the key of b flat !!!!!
What reed do you use??? I play contrabass myself and i need to know a good one cause the vandoren traditionals always split somehow but the cheap rico reeds dont.
Try legere for contrabass clarinet
@@DolphinRave LeGere are the bomb.
Used fiberglass reed for bass clarinet in college back in 60's and loved it. After not playing for many years picked up an old bundy bass and used cane reeds as hadn't found the Legere. Now that I have a decent horn and the Legere reed I am a much happier camper. That reed is the only way to go. Worth the cost.
This is a Leblanc 7182 right?
The orchestra sounds horrible im afraid to say. Is this amateurorchestra? Awesome instrument you have sir sound very nice!
O tema inicial parece o riff de Burn do Deep Purple. Haha ruclips.net/video/LCnebZnysmI/видео.html
what's the name of the piece?
Gershwin! arr. by Warren Barker
What a lungful to play and the player is a big guy. Look at those D. Gillespie cheeks! Nice low mellow bottom register.
How do you see music? I play bass clarinet.
I have to twist around on my stool to be able to see lmao
@@katyblue4284 yea imma play it next year as a fresh man, any tips?
@@chody07 yeah! Use a stiffer reed, but prep it too, its easy on lower notes to not get them to speak or voice right, and having a bad reed wont help. Find a stool or chair that you feel comfortable in and is the right height, without one your going to suffer. Stay relaxed and really work on forming a proper embachure from the get go, its similar to bass but different enough that you will for sure feel a change.
@@chody07 Blow a lot. Don't be afraid of being too loud. Low frequency doesn't carry. It's felt.
@@katyblue4284 And don't use a cane reed. Use a good synthetic. LeGere is what I prefer. They are like $20 a pop but they last forever.
That instrument does NOT appeal to me. I'm only watching to see how much he gets to play.
Kind of a big head to video yourself.
You watched too long. My head gets bigger the longer you watch.
@#1SaxMan Show us your profile-self playing something cool. I'll applaud.
Conrabass clarinet is so cool but Mr Gershwin is meh!!! I can't like him! It's not bad but overrated! If it was Hungarian Canadian or lived in Poland or Netherlands.. You don't know him!
whats the name of the piece?
Gershwin! arr. by Warren Barker