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: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-hM4n_NQHxao.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xxmLaETMSUc.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.
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!
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: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ILkYMD8zuH8.html
Finally, a bass clarinet video!! You guys have the best videos on RU-vid 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.
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.
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.
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’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!!!
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.
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
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 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-pFjIcpY_MnE.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
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. 😼
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! 😊
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.
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.
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.
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? :)
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.
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.
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.
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!
If the bore loses it's dimension or changes over time to affect the sound how do you feel about the Buffet Greenline Bass Clarinet as compared to the standard grenadilla?
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.
@@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!
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
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.
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’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!!
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)
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! 😭
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 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!
Wunderbar! Danke! Why the bass clarinet is not used in Jazz? (maybe it’s too expensive & difficult to play I guess….) - but could you play the blues on it….?
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
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 😄
18:55 The key under the 1st finger of the left hand that looks like 2 keys "Siamesed" together with a small hole in the upper half, could you please explain its function to a drummer? Thanks.
I’m not too sure but I think it’s just an alternative fingering. I pressed the bottom pad on the first finger along with all of the main holes down and it made a surprisingly high sound. Players rarely use it though
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!
Think it is the bass clarinet that Britten uses in Billy Budd, to sound like water burbling under a wooden ship’s hull - esp. in the moving last aria from from Billy ‘ And Faewell to you old Rights-o’Man, never your joys no more / Farewell to this grand rough world / nevermore shipmates, no more sea/ no more looking down from the heights to the depths
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
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'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.
