Playing the Bass Clarinet is relatively easy, however it takes some getting used to, especially on the lowest notes. But in time you will get them without difficulty.
First you will want to set up your Bass Clarinet. For instructions on that, see How to set up
Make sure your reed is wet enough.
The most important part to playing is the position of your mouth on the reed. We call this the embouchure. First, curl your lower lip above your bottom teeth. You DO NOT want your teeth touching the reed, because it will break, especially if you have braces. For the top lip, you can curl it below your top teeth if you want, but you can have your teeth resting on the top of the mouthpiece if you would like.
Place the mouthpiece in your mouth while your lips are curled. You should have a fair amount of it in your mouth, at least two centimetres.
Make sure apply pressure to the reed, but not too much. Take a deep breath and blow. If it squeaks, you are applying too much pressure to the reed for it to vibrate correctly. Loosen your embouchure. If it makes no sound at all, just air, try either tightening your embouchure a bit or blowing more air. Try taking the neck off the Bass Clarinet and just play with that to get used to the reed, then attach it to the Bass Clarinet and practice with that until you have perfected a solid note. Always sit up and have good posture.
Try holding the note for a while and try and make a balanced sound. If you do not perfect anything right away, do not worry, everything will come with practice.
Once you can make a sound to a good extent, it is time to learn some notes. Below is a fingering chart, but do not go for the very low notes or high notes right away. Those are the hardest ones.
First you will want to set up your Bass Clarinet. For instructions on that, see How to set up
Make sure your reed is wet enough.
The most important part to playing is the position of your mouth on the reed. We call this the embouchure. First, curl your lower lip above your bottom teeth. You DO NOT want your teeth touching the reed, because it will break, especially if you have braces. For the top lip, you can curl it below your top teeth if you want, but you can have your teeth resting on the top of the mouthpiece if you would like.
Place the mouthpiece in your mouth while your lips are curled. You should have a fair amount of it in your mouth, at least two centimetres.
Make sure apply pressure to the reed, but not too much. Take a deep breath and blow. If it squeaks, you are applying too much pressure to the reed for it to vibrate correctly. Loosen your embouchure. If it makes no sound at all, just air, try either tightening your embouchure a bit or blowing more air. Try taking the neck off the Bass Clarinet and just play with that to get used to the reed, then attach it to the Bass Clarinet and practice with that until you have perfected a solid note. Always sit up and have good posture.
Try holding the note for a while and try and make a balanced sound. If you do not perfect anything right away, do not worry, everything will come with practice.
Once you can make a sound to a good extent, it is time to learn some notes. Below is a fingering chart, but do not go for the very low notes or high notes right away. Those are the hardest ones.
The first note you should learn is the C in the second row. However, I would not base your learning of the Bass Clarinet on a fingering chart alone. Buy a book that teaches the instrument through simple songs and rhythms. For example, the Red Standard of Excellence books are great books to learn out of.
The Bass Clarinet is a great instrument to learn. I hope you have fun!
Here is a video giving more of a visual explanation on the Bass Clarinet.
The Bass Clarinet is a great instrument to learn. I hope you have fun!
Here is a video giving more of a visual explanation on the Bass Clarinet.