We love our bass clarinetists!
We would be thrilled to have you join us in our small but growing community of jazz clarinet (and bass clarinet!) enthusiasts. We would love to help you by sending valuable information to you periodically via e-mail in order to keep you up-to-date on what’s happening in the wonderful world of jazz bass clarinet. If you want to join in on the fun, please fill out the form. In gratitude, we will give you access to a downloadable pdf called Getting Started on Jazz Clarinet. This tool provides 10 handy tips for people who are beginning their journey in jazz music and/or on clarinet. All of the tips found here apply just as much to bass clarinet as they do to the soprano.
Thanks for joining us on this amazing adventure!
The Bass Clarinet is used in Jazz?
As weird as that might sound, yes, the bass clarinet is sometimes found in jazz music. The standard bass clarinet is a B♭ clarinet an octave lower than its more popular little brother, the soprano clarinet, which we often associate with jazz bands, concert bands, and marching bands. (Side note: symphony orchestra clarinetists often switch between the B♭ or A clarinets depending on a variety of circumstances.) Usually the bass clarinet is a secondary instrument played by either a saxophonist or a clarinetist who doubles on bass clarinet. In many big bands, the baritone saxophonist is expected to double on the bass clarinet and during a concert, it’s not uncommon to have one or two song arrangements call for the bari player to switch over to the bass clarinet. So, if you are a baritone saxophonist and have not yet explored the world of the bass clarinet, consider adding it to your collection in the near future.
Some instrumentalists have taken the time to develop the bass clarinet as a significant voice in their jazz music. Eric Dolphy (who also played alto saxophone and flute) brought the instrument to prominence within avant garde jazz. Bennie Maupin (also a saxophonist) played bass clarinet with Miles Davis on Bitches Brew and as part of Herbie Hancock’s famous “Mwandishi” sextet. Bob Mintzer (primarily a saxophonist) has experimented with the bass clarinet in more contemporary jazz arrangements and during his time playing with legendary bass guitarist Jaco Pastorius. Because of its unique timbre, the bass clarinet has found a home within jazz, both as a solo instrument and within ensemble arrangements.