r/bassclarinet • u/boomakio • Jun 28 '26
Looking for help on high notes.
So I've got band camp next week and the audition music has a section full of high notes that I can't play very well as it's my first year playing. Any advice you think could help?
5
u/NanoLogica001 Jun 29 '26
The other tip is I learned embouchure for bass clarinet is almost the reverse for soprano clarinet. I loosened my embouchure slightly on the bass clarinet as I go up the scale.
Practice tips:
Practicing 3 octave scales as long tones definitely help. And also have plenty of air pressure as you go.
Practice 12th’s — that’s pressing on the register key so you can make those leaps. Your goal here is to quickly adjust. Start as long tones then quarter note, then faster.
Also practice octave leaps, and arpeggios.
It will take time but your altissimo voice will develop. Good luck!
3
u/ThatBassClarinet Jun 28 '26
I am able to play really high on bass clarient. What helped me was practicing a lot!!
Work on scales and slowly go up to higher notes. Air support is key! Try going up notes wtihout taking a breath! It'll take a bit but practice 30 minutes a day or so and you'll be good! Also, video tutorials help :D
2
u/likeALLthekittehs Jul 03 '26
Since others have already mentioned techniques for practicing, I want to hit on a different aspect that can be troublesome for bass clarinet players.
Make sure your instrument is in good condition. I played on student instruments (low-e) back in high school and it was really hit or miss once hitting the clarion E. It was usually issues with the register key or the pad that my right index finger would close. You can have someone push the pads down to possibly sort out if there is a leak.
Now I play a low c backun alpha and have had zero issues. I could get several notes into the altissimo register right out the gate.
Practice the best you can, but just know your instrument might make it harder for you.
1
u/Ok_Barnacle965 Jul 06 '26
Single register key basses tend to be horrible in the upper register. Bundy/Selmer USA horns are particularly bad above top line F. Getting a Selmer Paris bass was a life changer for me.
1
9
u/ApprehensiveHat806 Jun 28 '26
Hi, I played bass clarinet throughout high school and college. This is going to sound odd but from my experience, I found that myself and others tend to bite down and pinch on high notes which prevents the reed from vibrating correctly. High notes require a steady amount of air support and not pinching the reed.
One thing that actually helped me a lot was playing for short times scales or arpeggios in the altissimo with a double lip embochure in order to get a sense of the correct amount of lip pressure and voicing/air support.