Klarinet Archive - Posting 000689.txt from 1997/07

From: benevolent1@-----. Horney)
Subj: Re: Eb clarinet woes
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 1997 22:34:08 -0400

Well, thank you for your input. That was actually one of the issues that
I was considering when I was making the decision. When I played Slava!
this year, and Overture to Candide last year, that was probably the most
fun I had ever playing anything (added to the time I did a Dixieland-type
ensemble to alexander's ragtime band). When my band director and I
talked my decision over, he agreed to let me have input in what we
played, and if there was a song with a really good E-flat part that I
really wanted to play, he would let me (and sit on the front row). I am
glad that I don't have to give either one up completely, so I should be
happy. I'm glad that someone seems to understand how I feel so
passionately about the Eb clarinet. Thank you again.

Have fun!

Sarah
benevolent1@-----.com

On Mon, 21 Jul 1997 15:14:58 -0700 (MST) Jacqueline Eastwood
<eastwooj@-----.EDU> writes:
>On Sun, 20 Jul 1997, Sarah B. Horney wrote:
>
>> Hello. I'm a high school student (I'll be a SENIOR in the fall), and
>I
>> have a bit of a dilemma. I have been playing the Eb soprano
>clarinet for
>> two years in band, but practicing it for four. Next year, my band
>> director told me that the first chair position is mine, if I want
>it.
>> Even though I would love to be first chair, I am addicted to the
>Eefer.
>> My band director has also exiled me to the fourth row with the tubas
>and
>> euphoniums because he says that although I have a beautiful sound,
>I'm
>> too loud. I have listened to recordings of our concerts made from
>the
>> very back of the auditorium as well as right off the stage, and I
>can
>> only hear my part if I listen very hard for it. (This was
>especially
>> annoying in Slava! You'll understand if you've heard it.) Anyway,
>I
>> would like to know which road I should take (Bb or Eb) as it will
>affect
>> my practice schedule.
>>
>> Have fun!
>>
>> Sarah
>>
>My own personal experience is that playing E-flat is a heck of a lot
>more
>fun!! In a typical band, there are several people on each clarinet
>part
>-- OK, so maybe the first-chair player gets a solo once in a while,
>but
>the E-flat player gets them all the time. Of course some of them
>might be
>unintended.....
>
>I flat-out refused to play in the Wind Ensemble as a doctoral student
>unless I could play E-flat. It's the only way I could stay even
>remotely
>interested in what was going on around me -- rather a mediocre bunch,
>I'm
>afraid. We rehearsed William Byrd Suite into the ground -- and I just
>LOVE that E-flat part!! What a treat, but it takes some real control
>and
>finesse.
>
>Can you find a teacher in your area to help you specifically with the
>E-flat? Sounds like your band director is suffering from the typical
>attitude that E-flat clarinet is loud and screechy and that's all it
>is
>capable of doing! Work for a nice, blending sound quality (in
>addition to
>the stridency called for on occasion!) and you will go farther if you
>decide to continue on into college. It IS more difficult to play soft
>and
>with a blended sound -- there's your challenge!!
>
>
>Jacqueline Eastwood
>University of Arizona/Arizona Opera Orchestra
>eastwooj@-----.edu
>
>

   
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