Klarinet Archive - Posting 001237.txt from 1998/03

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING SECOND
Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 17:43:21 -0500

As has been mentioned, in an ideal world, a second clarinet (flute, oboe,
bassoon, whatever) player should be as good as the first, and fully
capable of playing first parts if the occasion arises. And, conversely,
principal players should also be capable of playing second parts.
However, playing second can be and probably should be an important
specialization. The player in the orchestra who is most affected by this
is the second oboe. More than the other woodwinds, this player may have
to significantly alter their techniqes and approaches to the instrument in
order to successfully function as a player of the second parts. Their
main problem is to play as softly as they often must in the lowest
register of the instrument, and yet to maintain good tone quality and
intonation. Typically, a player who has constructed reeds for playing
second parts must have different reeds if they must then play principal.
There are certain compromises for the other second-part woodwinds in the
orchestra, but my experience is that they are less significant for the
other players than for the oboist.

Someone else, in a comment with which I fully concur, stated that a good
second player can make or break a principal player. In the case of the
second bassoon, we can go even farther than that. The second bassoonist
is the most crucial player in the orchestra for determining and
maintaining the pitch level of the ensemble. If the second bassoon is
sharp (which is a common occurance) then the principal player will tend to
follow in order to make octaves and fifths sound in tune. Next, the
clarinets, oboes and flutes will tend to be similarly affected. Finally,
because the woodwinds sit in the middle of the orchestra and to play
almost continuously, the pitch level established there tends to spread
throughout the orchestra. I know that as a principal bassoonist, there is
nothing that can make the job easier and more rewarding than a second
player who plays in tune.

Ed Lacy
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Dr. Edwin Lacy University of Evansville
Professor of Music 1800 Lincoln Avenue
Evansville, IN 47722
el2@-----.edu (812)479-2754
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