Klarinet Archive - Posting 000622.txt from 1997/03

From: "Scott D. Morrow" <SDM@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: projection
Date: Wed, 19 Mar 1997 09:50:12 -0500

Kathi,
Go to a craft store and buy styrofoam balls of varying sizes.
Just before your solo section, have some friends who sit next to these
people stuff them into the bells...

Seriously, though...
When I was in college, I played in the pep band at basketball
games. I was the only clarinet in a group of trumpets, trombones, saxes,
tubas, and percussion. One thing I found was that if I transposed
everything up an octave, no one had any trouble hearing me!
I understand that in your situation (i.e., "real music that's
written to sound a certain way"), this is probably not an option...
So now the REAL advice....
1) Be confident
2) Have fun
3) Don't worry about it

I think that soloists tend to pull back when they're nervous.
Enjoy yourself, get into the music. Don't be afraid to move (I believe
that playing an instrument is 60% technique and 40% style!) - since it's
jazz, perhaps, at points, tip your head back so the bell goes up towards
the audience (they like that!). This might not increase the projection
much, but it says,"Look at me and listen to what I'm playing!"
The point is to have fun, play well, and entertain the audience.
Don't worry about the trumpet player: if he doesn't pull back, he will
come across as an egotist who played too loudly and made it difficult to
hear that great clarinet!

Good luck!
-Scott

>What are your best tips for projecting *over* the volume of a tumpet,
>tombone, and tuba? I have to play this jazz song at a festival my band is
>playing at on Friday. It doesn't matter when the hole band plays because I
>have the rest of the clarinets to back me up but when the solo part comes is
>the problem. I usually feel I am playing loud enough, I get to stand up so
>that helps me a little (I don't know why). I'm worried I'll be drounded out
>by the overwhelming power of those brass instuments who play at the same
>time because when they get nervous for some reason they play louder. Send
>those tips as quick as you can, I appreciate all the help. Thank you so very
>very much!!! :)
>
>*******************************************************************************
>*
>Kathi A --If music could fly I'd ride it
>clarinet player--Knowledge is power, so drink up
>*******************************************************************************
>*
> --<-{= Kathi A =}->--

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

SDM@-----.edu