Klarinet Archive - Posting 000688.txt from 1998/02

From: "Jason Hsien" <jasonavhs@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Asking students to double
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 1998 03:42:11 -0500

-----Original Message-----
From: Gary L Smith <garylsmith@-----.com>

:I think we could start a whole topic on directors who throw different
:instruments at students, not to help them develop, but because they need
:(or think they need) a (oboe/bassoon/bari sax/whatever). Often, it's the
:student who's the most promising on their primary instrument they do this
:to - thus yielding a mediocre clarinet/oboe player or even a mediocre
:bass/eefer player, rather than a fine player of one instrument who is
:prepared to move on to something else later. Sadly, many young players
:are so intrigued by the novelty of it all that they don't realize what
:they're doing to themselves.
:
:While we can't judge what Wendy's director's mindset is, I'd be concerned
:in this case. Three clarinets to keep proficient on, two of which are at
:opposite extremes. And I assume she has some other school obligations
:too, so there again it's a different story than when you play, uh, for
:money. :-)
:

I do agree that conductors who do choose the better students to try out new
instruments are doing them a disservice by not only allowing them to lose
what they had with their current instrument, but also probably only get
average at best with their new one. But, keep in mind, a lot of schools have
tight budgets, not enough interested students, or way too many old
instruments that have barely touched the light of day and have to be used
sooner or later.

At my middle school, my music teacher was very wise in making the "harmony
instrument" (bass clarinet, alto clarinet, bassoon, bari sax, french horn,
tuba, etc...) auditions to a volunteer basis. This way interested students
have a chance to try out new instruments that they might be better at
without sacrificing better players (unless they wanted to).

I have to say that this is the case with myself. I was playing Bb soprano
clarinet until 8th grade. I was 2nd chair clarinet, which wouldn't be all
that bad except I was in the 7th grade band. Then, I volunteered to try bass
clarinet after the current bass clarinetist quit because she wanted to stick
with soprano clarinet. I am happy to say that I have improved in my musical
abilities a lot, and have caught up with my class (now a sophomore in high
school). I am able to now, not only keep up with my class, but also work on
trying other instruments (tenor sax/flute, neither truly good at but
interesting to work around with), something I had never done before. The
bass clarinet thing was pure luck. It was just no one else volunteered so I
did.

So, I would agree that doubling instruments has the potential of being
extremely bad, but if done properly, it is also a way of letting students
explore new instruments without letting go of old favorites. I do play bass
clarinet, but have and plan on playing my soprano through marching band and
other community events, and I have to say that doubling has been a very
positive experience for me.

Jason Hsien
Student, Amador Valley High School
------------------------------------
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