Klarinet Archive - Posting 000492.txt from 1997/08

From: "David C. Blumberg" <reedman@-----.com>
Subj: Loud Band
Date: Wed, 13 Aug 1997 20:57:48 -0400

Have you played any Husa, or Chance Sym #1 for Band. It doesn't get much
louder then that. Orchestras are sometimes worse for a Clarinetist as we
often sit in front of the Brass. I just did an outdoor concert that had me
right in front of the Trombones. In the Sabre Dances, I almost went deaf
when the Trombones played the gliss. I was close enough to the bell to get
bumped in the arm by his slide if I moved my elbow to the left. It was in a
band shell, so there was nowhere to go. Now I carry ear plugs w/ my clarinet.

David C. Blumberg
reedman@-----.com

Date: Wed, 13 Aug 1997 09:31:01 -0400
From: agrenci@-----.net (Andrew Grenci)
Subject: Re: Musician's Ear Plugs

Hi,

Just a note to comment on a misconception that various posters seem to have
that bands are somehow louder than orchestras. I play in a military band at
present and seldom require earplugs, perhaps because I sit far enough away
from the brass and percussion. On the other hand I routinely wear earplugs
at orchestra gigs. I have never heard anything in my military band which is
as loud as an orchestral brass section playing a Mahler symphony. (Almost
never.)

It is true that earplugs can't be used for everything in a symphony or
orchestral work. Often one of my main goals at a first rehearsal is to make
note of the loudest passages an write things like "plugs in" and "plugs
out" in my part. It is not a perfect way to make music, but I would like to
hear music when I am 75. No symphony concert is important enough to risk my
hearing.

AG

Andrew Grenci
New London, CT
agrenci@-----.net

   
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