Klarinet Archive - Posting 000798.txt from 1997/07

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Bb to bass
Date: Fri, 25 Jul 1997 13:12:37 -0400

Amy,
I know of no music college/conservatory which will let you MAJOR
in Bass. However, some (like Peabody Conservatory) will let you take
specific lessons on Bass, and do the bulk of the Bass work in the
orchestra, even tho you have to enter the school on Soprano (AKA b-flat).
However, there's a more important issue here. How come you can't
get a good embouchure on Soprano? Do you have a teacher? If not, GET
ONE!!!! Any teacher worthy of the name ought to be able to show you proper
embouchure. It is
not so hard to learn and there is no reason (physical disability aside)
that one can't play many instruments (and embouchures) well.

Fred Jacobowitz
Clarinet/Sax Instructor, Peabody Preparatory

On Thu, 24 Jul 1997, Donald Walkner wrote:

> Klarinet members,
>
> I have another question to ask. Could anyone out there give me some
> advice on a problem I'm facing? I have been playing bass clarinet for
> five years. I really want to major in music, and I know my Bb clarinet
> skills aren't totally up to par. Will this greatly affect my college
> auditions? I have no technique problems, just my embouchure isn't that
> great because I have been playing bass for so long. Will colleges accept
> me if they hear my play both? I know there aren't to many colleges that
> let you major in bass. Not the ones that I would like to attend. Any
> advice would be very helpful.
>
> Amy
>