If you have the opportunity it is suggested that you try out different instruments to get an idea of how well the instrument works for you. What may be a good instrument for one player may not work well for another.

MOUTHPIECES: (very important)

• Selmer Paris Model C* (Standard Series)

• Selmer Paris C85 115 Medium

• Vandoren B50

REEDS: (weight 3 or 3.5)

• Vandoren V21

• Vandoren Blue Box

LIGATURE:

• Rovner Dark B flat Bass Clarinet Ligature

BEGINNER / INTERMEDIATE:

DO NOT BUY a student model bass clarinet, these instruments are provided by the school.

ADVANCED:

• Leblanc 7168 Low Eb Bass Clarinet, Nickel-plated

• Buffet Crampon 1183 Prestige, Nickel-plated- Clarinet Majors

Importance of Good Mouthpieces

• Simply easier to play with good tone, tuning, and range.

• Increases dynamic range.

• Provides consistent tone quality throughout tonal and dynamic range.

• Provides consistent tuning throughout all registers

• Often makes it easier to articulate and to differentiate between articulations.

Reed Information

• Your reeds should respond easily, play in tune throughout all octaves easily, play all dynamic levels throughout all octaves easily, and allow for easy articulation from staccato to legato.

• Harder reeds give a heavy, full sound. There are less tuning issues throughout all the dynamic ranges, but it is harder to adjust tuning issue that do arise. Often makes it easier to hit higher pitches, but It is more difficult to play low pitches quietly.

• Softer reeds are much easier to play. They give a brighter sound and often squeak easily. Soft reed often also have tuning issues (though they are easier to correct), and prove difficult when trying to produce higher pitches.

• If there is a lot of resistance, your reed is too strong.

• If your sound is thin, reedy, your clarion register is often out of tune, or less then normal pressure is used to produce sound, then your reed is too soft.

• Check Your Reed: Uneven wood grain and knots are bad and new reeds that seem green need time to mature (set them aside). Hold your reed up to the light - if you see a symmetrical, inverted V shape, the reed is still good, if it is crooked, then it is bad. How old is the reed, general 1-2 months of consistent use will affect a reed's performance.