Klarinet Archive - Posting 000701.txt from 1998/02

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Asking students to double
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 1998 03:42:24 -0500

On Tue, 17 Feb 1998, Gary L Smith wrote:

> 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).

We have had this discussion previously, and the whole argument is faulty,
because it is based on an incorrect assumption. It's not the _director_
who needs complete instrumentation in their group, it is the students who
need to experience the music as it was written.

If left to their own devices, a large majority of 10 and 11-year-old girls
will say that they want to play flute, and a similar majority of boys will
say thet their preference is for trumpet or drums. So, should the
director just give in to these societally-conditioned responses and do
away with bands and orchestras in favor of drum and bugle or drum and fife
corps? If the director makes no effort to ensure a complete and balanced
instrumentation, every student who plays in the band or orchestra is
cheated.

Also, another factor is that many students will express a preference for
an instrument for which they are physiologically unsuited. Often, this
occurs because "Uncle John" has a saxophone (flute, trumpet) in the attic
which he used to play, but which has now become available for little
Johnny or Susie. Still, if the director makes no attempt to guide the
student into a choice of instrument with which he/she is suitable or
adaptable, then the director is doing the student no favors.

Ed Lacy
el2@-----.edu