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NoteAtlas

Low B on the Bass Clarinet

To play Low B (B3) on bass clarinet: Left hand: thumb, 1, 2, 3 · Right hand: 5.

Full chart
BackThroat keysLeft handSide keysRight handL pinkyR pinkyRegister key: openRThumb hole: pressedTA key: openAG♯ key: openG♯Left index (hole 1): pressed1Left middle (hole 2): pressed2Left sliver key: openslLeft ring (hole 3): pressed3Side key 1: opens1Side key 2: opens2Side key 3: opens3Side key 4: opens4Right index (hole 4): open4Right middle (hole 5): pressed5Right sliver key: opensrRight ring (hole 6): open6Left pinky E/B key: openELeft pinky F♯/C♯ key: openF♯Left pinky F/C key: openFLeft pinky C♯/G♯ key: openC♯Right pinky E/B key: openERight pinky F♯/C♯ key: openF♯Right pinky F/C key: openFRight pinky A♭/E♭ key: openA♭Low E♭ extension key: openE♭
Now showingBeginner note
Low BB3
Left hand: thumb, 1, 2, 3 · Right hand: 5
Written
B3
Sounds
A2
B3 on the treble staff

Play along: hear the note for 2 beats, then you play it for 2.

Press or cover
  • Thumb hole
  • Left index (hole 1)
  • Left middle (hole 2)
  • Left ring (hole 3)
  • Right middle (hole 5)
Tip · Low B

Check it against low B♭ so the ear learns the difference.

E♭3Low E♭E3Low EF3Low FF♯3Low F♯G3Low GG♯3Low G♯A3Low AB♭3Low B♭B3Low BC4Low CC♯4Low C♯D4Low DE♭4Low E♭E4F4F♯4G4Throat GG♯4Throat G♯A4Throat AB♭4Throat B♭B4C5C♯5D5E♭5E5F5F♯5G5G♯5A5B♭5B5C6
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Tip · Low B

Check it against low B♭ so the ear learns the difference.

Sound and display

Next moves

Previous noteLow B♭Left hand: thumb, 1, 2, 3 · Right hand: 4Next noteLow CLeft hand: thumb, 1, 2, 3Full chartAll 34 bass clarinet notesThe whole fingering chartScaleConcert B♭ majorWritten C major, fingering under every noteTrainerNote trainerRead treble clef notesPrintPrintable PDFLetter · A4 · blank

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Alternate fingerings for Low B

Each alternate has its own link. Send it to a student and the page opens with that fingering on the big diagram.

More for advanced players

Written and sounding pitch, and how the note works

About this note

Low B is written B3 and sounds concert A2.

The right middle finger on its own, which surprises students expecting the whole right hand to lift. Check it against low B♭ so the ear learns the difference.

  • Primary fingering: Thumb hole + Left index (hole 1) + Left middle (hole 2) + Left ring (hole 3) + Right middle (hole 5)
  • Written pitch: B3 · Concert pitch: A2
  • Sounding frequency: 110.00 Hz

What to press, key by key

  • Thumb hole
  • Left index (hole 1)
  • Left middle (hole 2)
  • Left ring (hole 3)
  • Right middle (hole 5)

Alternate fingerings for Low B

  • B/F♯ sliver key: Thumb hole + Left index (hole 1) + Left middle (hole 2) + Left ring (hole 3) + Right index (hole 4) + Right sliver key. Use in chromatic movement between B♭ and B, where it saves lifting the index finger and dropping the middle finger at the same time.

Questions

How do you play Low B on bass clarinet?

To play Low B (B3) on bass clarinet: Left hand: thumb, 1, 2, 3 · Right hand: 5. Low B is written B3 and sounds concert A2. Press: Thumb hole, Left index (hole 1), Left middle (hole 2), Left ring (hole 3), Right middle (hole 5).

Is Low B written or concert pitch?

The name on this page is the written note you read. On B♭ bass clarinet it sounds concert A2.

Is there another fingering for Low B?

B/F♯ sliver key: Use in chromatic movement between B♭ and B, where it saves lifting the index finger and dropping the middle finger at the same time.

Bass Clarinet fingering data last updated . Every diagram here, in the printable PDF and in the chart image comes from one dataset, so the paper and the screen cannot disagree.