MOUTHPIECE NECK SCREW

MOUTHPIECE = = a very thin piece of wood that lays on the mouthpiece. Reed vibration NECK blowing air creates the sound as you blow air through the tiny space between the reed and the mouthpiece edge. Reeds must be moist to vibrate properly. through your The flat side of reed lays against the mouthpiece. mouthpiece cre- **Reeds are SUPER-FRAGILE! Chipped or cracked reeds = garbage! ates sound on your *on back* bass clarinet. LIGATURE = silver piece that holds the reed onto the mouthpiece. When reed / mouthpiece faces you, the screws should point to the right. **Be careful with ** Do NOT take the screws out! You only need to turn the screw a tiny bit your mouthpiece — to loosen or tighten the ligature. it is fragile! UPPER JOINT CORK = helps attach the mouthpiece to the neck. Put the mouthpiece * LEFT HAND * *Cork grease may need to be applied, especially if the cork is very new. Ap- cap on when not ply lightly, like chapstick, and rub the grease into the cork with your pointer playing. finger and thumb.

THUMB REST REED PLACEMENT EMBOUCHURE = shape of your mouth *on back*

1) Attach the mouthpiece to the neck. ** The flat side of the TOP TEETH = rest on the sloped part of the mouth- mouthpiece faces the floor when added to the instrument. piece ~ 1.5 cm from the tip of the mouthpiece. LOWER JOINT 2) Slide ligature onto the mouthpiece. Screws point to the * Some people find the vibration uncomfortable and may * RIGHT HAND * right side. ** The top of the ligature is slightly smaller. need to add a ‘mouthpiece patch’. 3) Push the ligature up slightly with your thumb, and slide BOTTOM LIP = covers your bottom teeth just enough your reed under the ligature — carefully! ** The flat side for the fullest part of your lip to rest on the top edge of of the reed lays against the flat side of the mouthpiece. your teeth (approximately where your lip colour starts) BELL 4) Lower the ligature so it loosely holds the reed in place as you position the reed. Center the reed, and adjust it so Experiment with mouthpiece placement to find only a hairline of the mouthpiece is seen above the reed. your “best” playing spot.

5) Gently turn the ligature screws until they are snug. When you put your mouthpiece into your mouth: When positioned correctly, the ligature will rest just below  TOO FAR IN = won’t be able to control air, and squeak- the sloped part of the mouthpiece. The top ligature screw ing and squawking noises occur should sit at or just below the half-circle area of the reed. LOW Eb KEY  TOO FAR OUT = really small sound, or air hiss only 6) Carefully join the neck / mouthpiece to the body. Line it * may be on bell or  TOO MUCH PRESSURE = no air can go through the body, depending on up. Gently tighten the neck screw to hold the neck and model * tiny gap between reed and mouthpiece—relax! mouthpiece in place. PEG GETTING SET UP The first 5 notes. If a hole is coloured in, close it. 1) Lay your case flat on the floor (or table). Case latches must If not, leave it open. face UPWARD. Open the lid. 2) Take out your reed. Put the thin end into your mouth to moisten while you set up the bass clarinet. ** Be careful — it is very fragile! **

3) Apply cork grease to tenon corks if needed. * see page 1 * LEFT THUMB LEFT HAND—FRONT Do not over-grease. Wipe off excess cork grease with a Raindrop key = register 1 paper towel. key (higher notes) Circle = thumb hole 2 4) Twist the bell on to the body. Line the bell up with the 3

round keys. RIGHT HAND —FRONT 1 **If your Eb key is on the bell, you must press the Eb key 2 closed with your thumb to lift the connector, which rests on top of a lever on the body. 3 5) Insert the peg on the back of the bell. Gently tighten the screw. You will adjust the height once it is all assembled. AFTER PLAYING 6) Attach the mouthpiece to the neck. * see page 1 * 1) Take your reed off the mouthpiece. Put it in a reed guard. 7) Attach the neck to the body. Align the bell, body and neck. DO NOT leave it on your mouthpiece! Secure the neck by gently tightening the neck screw. 2) Remove your mouthpiece and wipe it dry. 8) Adjust the peg to bring the instrument to the right height 3) Put the mouthpiece and ligature safely in the cap in the case. for you to play comfortably. 4) Take the instrument apart in reverse set-up order. You should be sitting with good posture at the edge of your chair, 5) You must remove moisture from the body. Unfold your cleaning swab sitting tall, looking straight ahead, with the bass clarinet centered = 100% open = so it doesn’t get stuck. in front of your body—the instrument adjusts to you! 6) Hold the instrument body upside-down and vertically (up and down). 5) Left hand at the TOP. Right hand at the BOTTOM. Drop the weighted end of the cleaning swab down the tube. Pull it  No exceptions! through in 1 or 2 gentle tugs. Leave the swab loose in your case to dry.  Right thumb goes under the thumb rest. 7) Finish putting everything back in the case. Check around you to 10) Left thumb on top keys at the back, fingers lightly resting make sure you have all pieces and parts. on the front keys, and pinky fingers resting lightly on the 8) SECURE the LATCHES BEFORE you pick up the case! side keys.

☺ YOU’RE READY TO PLAY! Yay! ☺ ☺ And you’re done — until next time! ☺