Klarinet Archive - Posting 001003.txt from 1998/05

From: "Carl Schexnayder" <carlsche@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Orchestras which sing
Date: Sun, 17 May 1998 21:40:10 -0400

Lee Hickling wrote:

We fuss a lot about reeds and pads and the virtues and vices of
instruments - or so it seems from this list - but a singer IS her or his
instrument, subject to moods, fatigue and illness. Nervousness, tension or
momentary loss of focus can ruin a performance.

1. Everyone is born with a voice!! That's why a choir teacher can get on
the intercom at school and say, "If you'd like to be in the choir, come to
the choir room and audition."
2. Instrumentalists are subject to moods, fatigue and illness and can also
ruin a performance through nervousness, tension or momentary loss of focus.
As a matter of fact, the music played by instrumentalists is generally more
complex and easier to ruin.
3. Vocalists mostly concentrate on tone production and phrasing.
Instrumentalists must also concentrate on tone production and phrasing but,
in addition, learning to manipulate a complicated key mechanism, more
complex music, (including pitch, rhythms, and fast moving lines, etc.)
4. Vocalists must keep their instrument, (their voice), in condition but so
must instrumentalists keep their instruments and accessories in condition,
(that is, once they aquire their instrument and accessories), but that's not
the end of the story. Instrumentalists are, (and it must be so), constantly
searching for, (in the case of the clarinetist), a better mouthpiece, a
better reed, a better ligature, a better barrel, etc.)
5. Vocal departments do not need to worry about having the funds necessary
to purchase expensive instruments and equipment - only risers, (which are
cheap compared to band or orchestra risers), choir robes, (which they often
rent and which are far cheaper than band uniforms), a piano or keyboard,
9which is also needed in the band or orchestra program), and music, (which
is quite cheap compared with band or orchestra music).

Carl Schexnayder

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