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Permalink Reply by Russ Weaver on November 30, 2011 at 11:10pm

     The middle register of the BCL takes a bit of practice for any clarinetist that is new to the instrument.  If there are leaks, any younger players might just give up or simply not get that register to speak.  Best to make sure a bcl is "tight" before letting a new player have at it.  Once it's tightened up, the player will have to practice fingering lower notes and popping up to the middle or clarion register.  It can take a while, but once the larger throat position is achieved and made steady, it becomes easier.  The discipline of popping those notes, over and over, will be worth the efforts for anyone interested in really playing the bcl. After they are good at the "Ahh" throat position, they should work across the break from Bb to C, then A to D and so on...

Try and make sure they are keeping the shallow "Ahh" throat position across the registers of the bcl so that the registers are even sounding.  Once they get the middle register, have them try and keep that same position for the lower register.  They'll get it.  It's also a really good idea to show them this.  As you are a trombonist, this might be difficult.  Perhaps a local clarinetist can come in and do a master class.

It takes practice.  Consider your Bb clarinetists who's high notes are a bit on the squawky side as your top candidates for bcl as some students can not achieve the "high tongue Hee" sound that is required in the upper register of the soprano Bb clarinet.  (Also to get the "Ping" in the sound that we want.)

For $2000, I'd look for a used Buffet that's in great shape.  I stick to what works and the Buffet brand has not only worked well for me, but it has worked well for the greats.  Rarely a dud.  Wwbw usually has some.

best of luck...

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