Klarinet Archive - Posting 000395.txt from 1998/05

From: "Craig E. Countryman" <cegc@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Which Clarinet??
Date: Fri, 8 May 1998 20:26:07 -0400

I'd play bass if I were you. First of all, I personally don't like the alto
clarinet, nor do a lot of people that I have met.

But, a more concrete reason would be that you will probably get more bass
clarinet jobs over the years than alto jobs, should that be the path you
wish to take. Doubling on Bb and Bass would be a great skill to have, and
playing both well would put you ahead of many people your age. The alto
clarinet is not as common, and in my opinion, not as necessary to the
ensemble. It is nice to have, but I think many people would agree that a
strong bass is much more essential.

It would be a transition though, if you were to learn either alto or bass,
and I think an important thing would be to remember how much extra time it
would consume. Not only would have to put in major time on the new
instrument, but you would also need to practice to maintain, and more
important, improve your Bb Soprano playing. Is this a commitment you could
make. Being a high school student myself, I find it very difficult to fit
lessons and practice on one instrument into the rest of my schedule. Be
sure that you would still have time to give to other things you hold
important (academics, sports, clubs, etc.)

After weighing all the options, make a choice for what is in your best
interests. Personally, I would choose to learn the bass, but that may not
be the right decision for everyone.

Good luck!

Sincerely Yours,

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Craig Countryman
cegc@-----.net
http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/YPP/Craig.html
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