Klarinet Archive - Posting 000405.txt from 1996/02

From: Richard Spittel <ContraReed@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Switching Instruments
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 1996 17:50:50 -0500

In a message dated 96-02-12 13:18:31 EST, you write:

> In high
>school, our teacher moved students around to other instruments that
>he felt he needed more of (usually trombones) from instruments he
>felt he had too many of (usually clarinets). I didn't agree with
>that practice then, and I still don't now.

Since the writer of this note expresses displeasure with switching people to
different instruments, one might assume the teacher presured her to switch. I
think I would also like to hear the band director's side of the story.

Not having all the facts in front of me, I won't comment on the particulars
of this case, but would like to add some random thoughts about kids and
instruments. Please rememer that these are basically generalizations, and
that there are always exceptions to every rule. One of the roles of the
band/orchestra director is to be cognizant of the following ideas.

Physical attributes: Not everyone is equally suited to all instruments.
Students with short fingers would have trouble with the bassoon. Those with
poorly aligned teeth will most likely have difficulty with brass instruments.
Someone with poor pitch descimination but good rhythm could make a fine
drummer, but a lousy horn player. etc, etc. etc.

Psychological traits: There are some personalities which match some
instruments better than others. As a band director, you probably wouldn't
want the shyest student to play oboe, but that same student would fit
wonderfully in a clarinet section, enjoying the relative anonaminity as well
as learning about music. On the other hand, if you have a student with a
strong personality, s/he would probably make a good oboist or brass player.
Students with an independent streak would be happier to play an instrument
that no one else plays (that's how I started playing bassoon). And as a band
director, you would not want the class clown who is always loud and brash to
be in the saxophone section.

(To some extent) Financial Considerations: If you live in an area where the
parents are expected to purchase an instrument, (even horns, tubas and
bassoons), and you know a family is not as financially well off as other
families in the area, you might want to steer their children towards the less
expensive instruments such as clarinet, trumpet or flute.

Intelligence and seriousness: There are some instruments which are harder to
play in the beginning and those which get harder as the player becomes more
advanced. If you know a student is a hard worker, steer him/her to something
like the horn or oboe, but if they are more "average" they would probably be
happier with something a bit less demanding.

I won't get into other more musical thoughts such as balance,
instrumentation, etc. These factors are best left up to the directors in each
individual situation.

Richard Spittel Baltimore, MD