Klarinet Archive - Posting 000669.txt from 1997/08

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: bass clarinet and clarinet
Date: Sat, 16 Aug 1997 23:01:43 -0400

At 11:59 AM 8/16/97 -0500, you wrote:
>Quick question... Being a bass clarinet player in my school band, since
>when have bass clarinets marched? I've always played clarinet for
>marching.... I've always been told that if you want to
>go into music you had to major on Bb.
>
I can't imagine why anyone would even CONSENT to marching with a bass
clarinet! But I know it happens. I love playing it for concert band, but...

If you try to limit yourself to playing bass clarinet only, you will be
going a long time between meals. In fact, it would be a good idea to
(WARNING: Heresy follows!) take up saxophone and/or flute as well, if you
want to work steadily. Or even if you just like to play as much and as
varied a diet as possible. Just take a look at pit orchestra books to see
what I mean. The last show I played ("Barnum") my part was about 50% bass
clarinet, 35% bari sax, and 15% soprano clarinet. A couple of the clarinet
parts had sections for piccolo. Other shows I have played have called for
clarinet/oboe/english horn (I cheated and transposed -- I didn't have my
oboe yet) or alto sax/clarinet/flute or tenor sax/bari sax/oboe. So, if
you want to play shows, versatility counts. Plus it is fun. If all you
are interested in is straight classical/concert stuff, you can probably get
away with staying in the clarinet family. But definitely keep your soprano
chops up, even if you do major on bass, which is possible in some places.

Bill Hausmann bhausman@-----.com
451 Old Orchard Drive http://www.concentric.net/~bhausman
Essexville, MI 48732 http://members.wbs.net/homepages/z/o/o/zoot14.html

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is too loud.