I have a bit of a soft spot for the bass clarinet. It’s an instrument rarely heard, which makes it shine when it does echo. It usually rumbles in the background, unappreciated, but adding a rich texture to the band. It has a beautiful sound, deep as the earth and mellower than caramel that oozes, magical and mystical, tickling my senses with pleasure.
And I did play it for a year. Someone in the band was ill, and my music teacher at the time recommended me to do it. I agreed, excited by a new challenge, and I gradually learned how to play it. It became my friend. And gave an appreciation for the instrument, and a respect to anyone who plays it well. Its a heavy instrument, that takes effort to produce sound. It takes time to master, coaxing sounds out gently until eventually it sings. You often have to stretch limits and reach beyond, into the depths of the earth, to the lowest notes possible. I know how hard an instrument it can be to play. But when you master it, it rumbles like thunder, with a sound like no other.
It’s part of why I like Midsomer Murders. There, the bass clarinet really steals the show. You hear it, in the theme tune, bounding along against the theramin, enjoying itself for once. And when danger strikes, its there again, deep and ominous, leading us to death. It adds a rich, dark tone to the music, and always makes me smile when I hear it. And its just nice to hear it. Most of the time, its shrouded in the orchestra. But there, it shines, often taking the lead.
Recently, I found a clarinet band who play covers of popular music. And they included the bass clarinet. It was as much as part of the song as the others. It kept the beat, adding rhythm, and even going off into improvised solos sometimes. And I love it. The bass clarinet doesnt have many solos. Its usually relegated to background sounds, a few simple repetitive notes. But there, like Midsomer Murders, the bass clarinet gets its chance to play, have fun, and even try new things. And its wonderful. And I love it.
So I guess you could say I have a soft spot for the clarinet.
