When I was wee 3rd grader I was ignorant to massive amount of music and instruments there are in this world. My grandparents love jazz music but little me had no idea about the pianos, the basses, the trumpets, the trombones, the saxes, the clarinets and other instruments that make up the beautiful sound of jazz. I just knew that liked it and that was mostly it. However, there was one instrument that I had to play. That I HAD to have. That instrument was the clarinet. And who played this wonderful instrument that prompted me to dive head first into the world of music? That man...actually animal was in fact...
Squidward Tentacles from Spongebob Squarepants!
Firstly, you are probably thinking why did you like Squidward? Secondly, you are thinking but this article is about Bass Clarinets, why are you talking about clarinets? Listen up baby birds. I'm gonna lay on you why this Woodwind is the best instrument to walk the face of this earth.
Ok, so Squidward is a pretty boring guy. He works a dead end job at the Krusty Krab, the house that he lives in has a unibrow, and his neighbor is more annoying than the annoying orange. But, his life has some meaning when he plays the clarinet. Sure, he is pretty bad at that but in a couple of episodes we actually can hear that the clarinet itself has a decent sound. So, little me seeing Squidward fail at the clarinet time and time again but then actually having episodes or dream sequences where he plays it well made me want to play like a pro. This introduction to an interesting instrument made the clarinet one of the first instruments that I wanted to play.
Now when it came time for me to chose an instrument to play, I did chose the clarinet. However, because of reasons I still don't know there were none available. So instead my music teacher, Mr. G told me he could give me the bass clarinet. I said "Fine, yeah that'll work...I guess." I had acquired the bass clarinet in B flat. It has everything the clarinet has and a little extra. When I first got it, it was literally taller than me! Once I pulled it out of the case and gave it a blow, I knew that I had something truly special. Its also a fickle instrument, it has needs. You need reeds to play, cork grease to make sure the parts slide together, and you need to clean and care for it. I named mine big Bertha and sometimes she gives me trouble but I love her all the same. Ever since that day, I was gifted with the wonderful sound, fury, and power of the bass clarinet.
I learned to use this instrument as an extension of myself, of my soul. It can nearly play itself. It blends itself seamlessly into an orchestra, a jazz ensemble, or on its own. It can be soulful, silky, smooth, and sultry. Its not as well known as a sax or a trumpet but its impact is loud and proud. Benny Goodman, and Eric Dolphy are some of the greats that started out with the bass clarinet. The bass clarinet like most woodwinds are simple once you get the hang of it and can transition to other woodwinds like the Alto Sax. But why would you switch from an instrument that has so much to give?
The truth is when you switch instruments you see the beauty in both instruments. So you never really give up the bass clarinet, or whatever instrument you start out with. You simply expand your catalog. But let me tell you, any man can pick up a guitar and learn some chords. But it takes a lot more to grab a bass clarinet and learn how to play it like a pro. It takes time, effort, and a lot of spirit. I cherish the connection I made to not only music but myself that was made when I learned to play the bass clarinet. So, if I had to go back to 3rd grade and choose what instrument to play, I would chose the clarinet then the bass clarinet every single time. It's simply the best instrument ever.
