Klarinet Archive - Posting 000330.txt from 1997/02
From: "Daniel A. Paprocki" <dap@-----.us> Subj: Wanted: plumbing wizard to teach at small school in Texas Date: Mon, 10 Feb 1997 17:01:35 -0500
Stan and Dan L. have voiced some good concerns. The one problem is that we
(clarinet majors) are taught (either consciously or unconsciously) during
our school years that the "only" clarinetists of importance are the
principals in Chicago, Cleveland, Berlin, etc. The only thing that matters
is are you the pricipal. I've know students who wouldn't think of playing
(Ughl!!) the bass clarinet or feel it's a personal insult to be playing 2nd
clarinet. I really pity these people. Many time they also don't know the
pressure of "real" orchestral playing. We've all heard of stories of past
or present players that couldn't take the pressure and resorted to some
type of substance abuse. Being the pricipal might not be for you or you
might find fulfillment in playing another clarinet.
Also there are two skills involved in becoming an orchestral player
-1) winning the audition 2) keeping the job. These are two very different
skills where one involves having nerves of steel, total technical control,
a musical presence and the other has to do with blending in a section,
getting along with the music director & collegues, being in tune, showing
up on time, etc.
We all are trained to aspire to being soloists or pricipal players.
It's a real mindset change when we realize that maybe we won't win the
principal chair in Berlin or Philly. Maybe 2nd won't be so bad - maybe
just any position that you're paid a living wage to play the clarinet
wouldn't be so bad.
On the subject of teaching, rule 1 - excellent players DON'T
necessarily make good teachers. Teaching is part knowing the clarinet,
clarinet history, repertoire, psychology, motivational techniques, being
personable, being inventive, guidance counselor, a role model, etc. Yes,
there is less high pressure in teaching than playing in an orchestra but
there is also much more involved in being an excellent teacher than being
an excellent orchestral player. I'm not putting down either - I would take
a full time position in either if I had the chance.
My point is that students should get away from the "principal"
mindset (or mind lock). There are only so many full time orchestras out
there (and that number is decreasing yearly) and once a principal position
is filled, it's filled for a long time (when was the NY Phil open for
pricipal last?). Students should not only learn the clarinet but also
observe their teacher's teaching technique or attend other masterclasses
not to get critiqued by this or that famous clarinetist but to observe how
they teach. Novel idea?! Be a clarinetist, teacher, & musician not just a
technical wizard of black piece of plumbing who's frustrated that "they"
didn't win the principal job.
Dan
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Daniel A. Paprocki
Instructor of Clarinet
Malone College
Kent State University - Stark Campus
dap@-----.us
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