Klarinet Archive - Posting 000460.txt from 1996/10

From: "Daniel A. Paprocki" <dap@-----.us>
Subj: Re: Bass clarinet players
Date: Sat, 19 Oct 1996 11:27:36 -0400

Mr. Bogus,
Since you're from Houston, did you look into Rice University? The
Houston Symphony clarinets teach there and the music department is to notch
and you can save money buy living at home or at least not spend money on
air flights if you're on campus.
It is a real plus if you can play the bass clarinet well. You will
have to audition on Bb clarinet for any music school but make sure that
they also know or hear you on bass. I think the best thing for a bass
audition would be to play some bass clarinet orchestral excerpts. There is
a book of these "Symphonic Repertoire for the Bass Clarinet" by Michael
Drapkin that is indispensible. Also, learn how to read bass clef. Half of
the orchestra bass clarinet parts are written in bass clef. A good tool
for this is to practice the Bach Cello Suites in bass clef - reading the
actual cello part.
If you don't have your own bass, try and get your own bass
mouthpiece. Other than having a well adjusted bass (no leaks), a great
mouthpiece (and great reeds) is essential. Also, do a couple of lessons
with a real bass clarinetist. Richard Numacher (spelling?) of the Houston
Symphony would be a person to call in your area. There you're all set now
just practice, practice, practice, etc.

Dan

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Daniel A. Paprocki
Instructor of Clarinet
Malone College
dap@-----.us

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