Klarinet Archive - Posting 000307.txt from 1996/06

From: "Scott D. Morrow" <SDM@-----.EDU>
Subj: Jazz Clarinetists-a solution?
Date: Thu, 20 Jun 1996 00:40:40 -0400

I have been reading this thread with much interest, and have found
myself flipping from one side to the other!
My opinion of the week is this:
Perhaps the jazz that the clarinet is, indeed, a jazz
instrument for is a different type of jazz than what is commonly played in
the typical high school jazz band. We all agree that there have been great
jazz clarinetists - but not THIS type of jazz! My conclusion is that if a
clarinetist wants to play in the jazz band, pick up a sax! If a
clarinetist wants to play clarinet in a jazz band, ask the director about
working up a swing era-type piece to play with the jazz band as a guest
performer.
For the clarinetist who wants more, leave the jazz band alone (it's
NOT what you want, anyway!) and scout around the bandroom for musicians who
want to try reading swing charts. I would think any band director would
help students put together their own ensemble, short of having to put in
extra time to lead it! (In my high school, our director helped some
students put together a ragtime band. It was run and conducted by the
students, but was good enough to perform as an ensemble at concerts.)
The message: don't try to make a group something it's not!

-Scott

Scott D. Morrow
Department of Biochemistry
School of Hygiene and Public Health
Johns Hopkins University
(410)-955-3631

SDM@-----.edu