Klarinet Archive - Posting 001101.txt from 1997/10

From: Dee Hays <deerich@-----.net>
Subj: Re: bad tone
Date: Sun, 26 Oct 1997 10:11:35 -0500

AmyLynnR@-----.com wrote:

> Hi,
> I'm in high school, and I've got a different problem than that. First off,
> I'm the only one with tone quality, so I'm always out of tune with the
> others. The only reason I know that I'm right and they're wrong is because
> the tuner says so. My problem is that I can't sight read worth beans!! I'm
> first chair but my music teacher seems to only care about sight reading and
> I'm getting worried. Also, I recently joined a community band and I now
> realize how truly pathetic I am, and here I thought I was actually playing
> pretty well for all of this time. I actually volunteered for third, and I
> hate playing third chair!!
> well, bye,
> ~=~=~=AMY=~=~=~

To improve your sight reading there are several things that you can do. One is
to get hold of a good book of scales and arpeggios and practice in all keys.
The complete Klose method has good sections of arpeggios in various chord
inversions. As scales and arpeggios occur frequently in music, having a good
grasp on these really helps your sight reading.

Another thing to do is to start with really simple music and sight read it all
the way through. Do this very slowly if you need to. When you can sight read
these pieces, move up to something only a little bit harder or faster. Then
when you can sight read at this level, move up again. You don't have to use
just clarinet music since you will be working on this by yourself. Any music is
fine to begin with.

Eventually, you will find yourself in band with a new piece of somewhat
difficult music and play it and think to yourself "Hey, I really sight read it!"

Bear in mind though that there will always exist pieces that are not meant to be
sight read. To play them well, the musician must work on them.

There are many fine books of study available but without knowing your current
level, it is hard for list members to make recommendations.

Good luck,

Dee Hays
deerich@-----.net
Canton, SD

   
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