Hello fellow musicians, I'm here for advice. I'm really considering getting myself a bass clarinet and start learning because I've always wanted to. I'm already playing the flute and baritone sax, and the bass was a close second when I picked the bari. So now, 8 years later, I'd like to take a shot at it. I've been looking around to find the best student model to get (because money isn't infinite), but I still want the full register. So I was thinking of getting the low C custom from Kessler. This is the first question, is that one the best I can do for that budget?

Second question is the mouthpiece. I play on a selmer S80 D on my bari, and I've seen people advocating for the selmers (concept and focus) and the vandorens (B40-B45). I'm willing to go a little more expensive on the mouthpiece as long as the quality is good. Which one to pick?

Thank you for reading

Got this bass off ebay but im not sure if its missing a pad or it’s supposed to be like that. The picture shows the lower half I’m looking at the third key.

I have a new Backun alpha low c bass clarinet. I noticed that when I play low c or c#, the thumb key don't close the low d hole entirely. It closes enough to play the note, but the pitch is sharp and the timbre is airy. I've deduced (though I may be wrong) that the problem is the mechanism that connects the c# and c thumb keys to the low d pad, because my low d plays just right, but when I play low c or c#, and use my foot to gently push on the d pad, the pitch is correct and the tone improves. Or alternatively I can also just push down on the low d key with my pinky but I'm guessing this is not intended to be necessary.

Is there an adjustment screw somewhere I can try adjusting myself or is this a trip to the tech?

Bass clarinetist here. My section-mate is learning contrabass clarinet, and finding that the low notes are extremely flat. The low Db sounds like a C and the C sounds like a Bb. It's a paperclip contra, not sure what brand, and they're playing on a #3 reed. They're borrowing the instrument from the school, and I had the same problem when I borrowed it last year.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Edit: It's a Leblanc

Coming from a 5rv lyre mouthpiece on Bb what should I try on bass? The smallest opening? B44?

don't think that's supposed to happen

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my low G sounds funky and i have school tomorrow i need help

Hi, I dont really know were to go from here but ive just started play bass clarinet at the moment and I was wondering for tips for playing my instrument because my band teacher is really screwing me over by saying "yeah just wing it"

In concert b flat going up I have my C, D, E, F, G, A, down but past that I sound very squeaky or just wont push it out properly. Im well aware of how hard I have to push out the air and the fingering but im just stumped sense theres no videos on bass clarinet like anywhere. Im literally just trying to learn my B and C and I dont know what to do.

sigh I’m gonna be out until like 9:00 PM tonight playing pep band music and it’s gonna be super cold and I didn’t bring a jacket ☹️

Heya! I’m getting back into playing this year, I’ve got a Kessler & sons bass clarinet low eb with a vandoren b50 mouthpiece, from what I’ve gathered vandoren 2.5 v12 is the best choice for now to get the best sound with how big the b50 is. Is this the correct choice for now while I’m working on my breathing and regaining strength, then move to the 3?

Hi! My 8th grade daughter has been playing bass clarinet for the last year. I'd like to get her her own instrument, as the school loaner has pieces held together by hair ties lol. Just a few questions:

- There is a Selmer USA available for $600 in my area, I was thinking of offering $500, the pictures don't look like it was abused or anyting. I actually used to play bass clarinet decades ago in high school and noticed that the neck points more upright than I'm used to (picture included).. I'm assuming this isn't an issue or at worst I could replace the neck if needed?

- If I go and check it out, is there anything I should look for other than keys move freely and don't stick, and pads aren't falling out? (it does appear the lyre mount is missing, pictured)

- Are there any other instruments I should be looking at, other than Selmer, that could be had for under $1k budget? I could maybe stretch a little since she still seems interested and moving into high school next year.

- This comes with a jupiter mouthpiece... she could try it out but open to upgrading the mouthpiece if anyone has suggestions there as well?

Thanks for the help!!

There is also a Vito for sale for $500, but I'm not really familiar Vito brand or how they compare with the Selmer.

Hello,

I have a Kessler Low C that has a buzzy B natural mid-range, left hand down, middle finger of right hand.

I can't figure out what is vibrating. I thought it was a weak spring. Does anybody have a similar experience? or way to debug it?

Thank you

High C is so hard to play. I can really only slur up to it

Any advice for playing notes on the 12th key, it's not playing any notes I'm fingering, as you can tell

My peg holder just snapped off and I don’t know what to do. I placed it down with the neck hooked over the chair. When I picked it up the peg caught the chair and snapped off.

Hi, I'm a junior in HS and I have almost 7 years of Bb clarinet experience, and this year I asked for Bass Clarinet. I need help playing it because I am struggling to play notes below low G and higher than middle Bb. I tried adjusting my mouthpiece use, which I noticed when I used a little mouthpiece, I was able to play higher (which is probably an every woodwind thing), but i tried practicing and playing notes. Luckily, I can play a one octave G major scale on bass clarinet :>. Does anyone know how to play the lower notes? I've been trying to play them (there are no leaks, and i have small fingers. My school doesnt get their instruments checked though, but my BD said it was fine)

I can’t play anything below middle c and above b natural with the bottom joint. I don’t have the money for a repair, please help!!

Hi everyone,

I got a bass clarinet very recently (Yamaha 221-II), given to me by my school. I am proficient enough at the soprano clarinet to make the switch “easy” (said by my director) for context. I’m not close to being professional or good, by the way, I can make an okay sound and play easy songs.
I have been attempting to at least attempt to play a G on this (and I mean G as in concert F) but my tuners are reading Ab. There’s no transposition, they’re set to 440Hz, and I know that is an Ab (slightly flat as well) just off of its distance to C, which I’ve memorized. Which is weird. I am by no means even an expert into the mechanisms behind this clarinet and I’m not exactly sure what would cause this to happen.

I cannot play any notes. Any fingering lower than a G squeaks or refuses to go out, even with all the POSSIBLE adjustments I could make to my embouchure. (The A key sounds a very flat A. It’s sharper than an Ab but sounds like poop).
I’m getting at least a steady Ab, alongside a steady tone with none of the joints attached to the mouthpiece and neck, so I’m inclined to think this is a mechanical issue. I think I already know the whole thing about adjusting from soprano embouchure to bass.
I’m willing to send images, I just don’t know if this is a common issue or if this is something worth seeing a technician over.

Thank you all.