TMEA 2021-2022 Bass Clarinet Etude #1

[@bassclarinetbrian]

Hey Nicholas I just wanted to say thank you so much for your replies to the comments. They're really valuable & actionable and I just wanted to say thanks! :)

[@aidangrivas7060]

It was amazing to see your name on my recommended! Beautiful sounds!

[@nicholascouncilor]

Hi Aidan! Thank you! Hope you are doing well :)

[@fonfsx]

Bravo! Amazing!

[@nicholascouncilor]

Thank you!

[@julielinder5569]

Bravo!

[@solus5635]

Clean staccatos mate! Any tips for improving speed and such?

[@nicholascouncilor]

Thank you! Do you mean improving the speed of your articulation? Or just the speed of your technique/tempo in general? Increasing the airspeed will help with both! Keep that metronome on and increase the tempo a little bit each time you practice until you reach your goal. Sometimes it’s helpful to put the metronome at a tempo that’s faster than you can comfortably play and then slow back down to trick your mind into thinking the tempo is slower even if it is actually faster than you have been going. I also like to use lots of practice rhythms like swinging to help my fingers get a stronger handle on the technique. Hope that helps!

[@danprorok1534]

Practice 40 hours EVERY DAY!

[@zerodeaths2343]

I always squeak on high d and above how do u start so cleanly?

[@nicholascouncilor]

Hi there! Most problems with the upper register stem from improper embouchure use or insufficient air support. Try to firm up your lower lip muscles and drop the jaw to reduce jaw pressure ("biting") when playing in the altissimo. Use very fast air and think about aiming the air downwards, into the instrument. I find that most students back off on the air when they start to squeak, and many are trying to squeeze these notes out with their jaw, neither of which helps to get these notes out. You might spend some time "squeaking" on purpose to help figure out how to control and prevent that response. I also use overblown throat tone fingerings for notes above high C instead of traditional clarinet altissimo fingers as I find these fingerings to be more responsive in general. I hope that helps!

[@zerodeaths2343]

@@nicholascouncilor it does thank you!

[@emjay2045]

What is your bass clarinet setup ?

[@nicholascouncilor]

I play on a Buffet Prestige bass clarinet with a Selmer Focus mouthpiece and D’Addario Reserve (3.5+) reeds.