So you know what?

The Contrabass clarinet is one of the coolest instruments EVER. I like, had a chance to play it during spare and holy crap has it got the most coolest sound ever!

Aside from the fact that I had some issues controlling the low and high notes (the mouthpiece is HUGE. It dwarfs my Bass Clarinet's mouthpiece.) like some squeaked themselves out where as others came out nicely and as I went on, I was able to play most of the notes squeakless to some extent.

Speaking about the mouthpiece, it might be bigger than the Bari Sax's as would the reed. And, when I have it on the stand, it goes pretty high so it sticks out higher than a Bassoon or a Tuba...or well, slightly higher. (It's a loopy/paperclippy one like the one pictured here ) The one some of you saw at Vic Lewis in Lord Beaverbrook's band (pictured here) would require me to sit on a stool or raised chair to play (And not only that, but both are roughly 7K to 10K. And neither of those prices are in Canadian)

(EDIT There's a third kind of Contrabass and it's a "Bass Clarinet"-looking one pictured here . Cost about....20K USD.)

The only problem I have with it, is it's stand. It doesn't do it's job. I have to have the Contrabass adjusted pretty high on the stand and so I adjust it, tighten it super mega tight and it like, starts slipping down slowly as I play. Not fun. Oh and Mr. Paddock told me the girl who played the Contrabass last brought along some pliers to unscrew the stand screw. I think I may have to do that too. *hunts down dad's toolbox*

So, in conclusion, the Contrabass clarinet > all. With a bit of practice, I'll be able to play it without squeaks. Har. Har. 8D

Sadly, Mr. Neckstrap that Riana the oh-so-cool Gr 10 Bass Clarinet found and gave me since she had two is still missing. =(

Other negatives
It takes ALOT more air than a Bass Clarinet or an Extended Bass Clarinet (the one I play) to get a middle C and lower. ohman. And the high A natural on this thing is horribly out of tune. The high high A nat. and low A nat are in tune.


ohmygoodness. bestinstrumentEVER!!!


So uh- you know, I want to play the Contrabass and the Bass Clarinet in band now. Think Mr. Paddock would let me? (I might try it a bit more then see)

I have concluded that this is the most geekiest band entry I have ever typed.