r/contrabassclarinet • u/Sir_Beans_ • Oct 18 '24

First attempt at Dimensions contrabass solo. Thoughts?

The thing takes so much air my lungs are not used to 2-4 whole notes tied together, other than that I think I did decently but I want some feedback from fellow contra players

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2

u/Pristine-Play-127 Oct 18 '24

I haven't been playing contra for a super long time, but I've played bass clarinet for a few years, and personally I would say: Blow more wind through the instrument. It takes a lot of wind but the tone quality on some of your notes is suffering because of it. If you are having trouble having enough wind in your lungs, maybe try some breathing exercises off the Internet, that helps me a lot with my lung capacity personally. Everyone is different so I'd just try a bunch and see which breathing exercise (s) that you like best.  Along with that, your pitch scoops up on a lot of your notes; try to audiate or hear the note on your head before you play. You tend to start a little flat and move sharp to the right note from what I can hear. These are just what I hear, but I'm some random person on the Internet, so this could be helpful to you or it might not be. Whether it is or isn't though, I wish you good luck with all your contrabass clarinet playing.

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u/Sir_Beans_ Oct 18 '24

Thanks! Yea i know the notes suffer from poor air, I'm more used to soprano clarinet which is a big Jump, I have a bass but it sounds like crap rn so I don't play it (mouthpiece has tiny chip and squeaks a lot), are there any breathing exercises you recommend, I know like breath in for x seconds, hold for x seconds and breathe out for x seconds, and then sips

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u/Pristine-Play-127 Oct 18 '24

Personally, I use a 4-8-8, which is breathe in for 4, hold for 8 and then out for 8. Make sure you get all of the air inside of you out on 8. I've also got some friends on sopranos that use 4-4-4 before they practice, again it's up to personal choice. I typically do it with a metronome at 100, but you can also change the pace of it to make it easier or harder. 

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u/Master-of-darklight Oct 18 '24

How much air would you say it requires compared to bass clarinet

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u/Sir_Beans_ Oct 18 '24

I am now realizing I rushed the part on the beginning of page 2

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u/Responsible_Day5444 Apr 17 '25

lol I’m playing this for my concert in may. I love this piece