Klarinet Archive - Posting 000840.txt from 1995/10

From: "Scott D. Morrow" <SDM@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Fiddler on the Roof
Date: Mon, 23 Oct 1995 13:09:04 -0400

>Hello All!
> I have been playing in the orchestra for the Little Theatre in my
>hometown for their summer musical for the past several summers. We will
>be performing Fiddler on the Roof next, and I was wondering what the
>clarinet parts were like. I've never seen the live show, but if the
>clarinet parts are anything like those in the movie, I'm feeling kind of
>nervous about playing them! I'm not so much worried about the notes as I
>am about the style in which they should be played. I really don't know
>much about how to create that type of sound. I'd be open to any
>suggestions from any of you who have played Fiddler or anything similar.
> Thank You,
> April Shallenberg

The style is called "Klezmir", which is a type of Jewish dance
music. One trick is to loosen up and have fun with it: bend notes, loosen
your embouchure occassionally, etc.! And don't panic! What I like about
playing in pit orchestras is that it isn't as stringent as playing in a
symphony orchestra. You're usually the only one playing your part, and if
you play a slight "variation" it isn't that critical; I've never seen
anyone sitting in the audience with the clarinet part in hand!

-Scott

Scott D. Morrow
(410)-955-3631

SDM@-----.edu