Klarinet Archive - Posting 000625.txt from 1997/07

From: Neil Leupold <nleupold@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Eb clarinet woes
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 1997 19:45:49 -0400

On Sun, 20 Jul 1997, Sarah B. Horney wrote:

> would like to know which road I should take (Bb or Eb) as it will affect
> my practice schedule.

I remember being in a similar but reversed situation when I was an
elementary school student. Even back then, playing clarinet was very
important to me, and I was always looking for ways to expand and
distinguish myself musically. At one point, I decided to try my hand
at bass clarinet, both for the new experience as well as to get out of
the crowd of other Bb players in the ensemble. The band director gave
me permission to make the switch. On the same day, try-outs were held
for the first chair in the Bb section and, ironically, I won the audition.
Thus, I had to decide whether to move into the new realm of bass clarinet,
or take the seat at the front of the Bb section. I chose the latter. I
always felt that the Bb clarinet was the main instrument of the clarinet
family and that there would likely be opportunities in the future to
experiment with auxiliary instruments like Eb and bass. First chair
of the Bb section served to expand me musically with the more active
music, and the position itself offered a form of distinction apart from
my classmates.

In high school, first chair players assume some form of responsibility
for the rest of the clarinets -- leading sectionals, monitoring intonation
in the group, and of course, acting as a model of performance standards
for the others to emulate. If most of your experience in your ensemble
has been on Eb, then the chance to play first chair Bb represents great
potential for growth and personal satisfaction. And you would be at the
front of the group, rather than being relegated to the back with the low
brass. Confidence in performance is obviously not a problem for you, and
that kind of confidence is exactly what is needed in a principal player
and section leader. Being heard by the audience would no longer be an
issue, because your part in the ensemble would be prominent nearly all of
the time. Any solos would be your territory, giving you a chance to shine.
In wind band arrangements of orchestral music, the first clarinet usually
plays the prominent first violin parts.

Take the first chair position, Sarah. Eb will always be there for you,
and perhaps you'll be allowed to double on Eb during concerts where there
is important Eb music to be heard. Ask your band director about that.
There's no reason that you shouldn't be able to cover important Eb
parts when they come up, giving the player next to you a chance to
enjoy playing the principal Bb part once in a while. Meanwhile, you'll
have the honor of being at the head of the section, creating the
opportunity for greater musical growth through more challenging
music and responsibility.

Best of luck,
Neil