Klarinet Archive - Posting 000752.txt from 1998/07

From: exner@-----. Exner)
Subj: Re: [kl] CLARINET: The Best of Everything
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 09:39:58 -0400

On Tue, 21 Jul 1998 21:03:53 -0400 (EDT) Eugene Chan
<de581@-----.ca> writes:
>I'm just wondering. What do you think would be the best in these
>categories:
>1. Method Books (Baermann, Rubank, ...)
>2. Best Clarinet (Yamaha, Buffet, Armstrong, ...)
>3. Best Reed (Rico, Vandoran, Zonda, ...)
>4. Best solo (Mozart Concerto kv. 622, ...)
>(other categories? go ahead!)
>
I am cautious about picking these "best" categories. We clarinetists
are SO competitive, what with auditions and chair placements that you
find yourself playing not for enjoyment but to prove to the person on
your left that you deserve your chair and to the person on the right that
you deserve *his* chair! Then we downgrade others' instruments and reeds
and such out of insecurity, I guess. It's fine to have preferences, and
it's essential to be informed so that we can guide our students and give
suggestions, but we shouldn't feel that our opinions are facts. Some
things work for me that wouldn't work for you.
While getting my performance degree, I literally worried and competed
myself almost to death. Anyway. . .

1. I have played and studied countless method books--my father, a band
director, tossed them all at me, and then my teacher in college believed
in going through just about everyone from Rose to JeanJean, Polatschek
(sp?) or whatever. I learned from each one.

2. Whichever one you like, get used to, and can afford. (not what's
"in" at the moment). I play a Selmer Mazzeo model.

3. I've played them all, just about, and I think it's fun to experiment
from time to time. No need to be snobby about your reed choice. A
person who "can't play" on a certain brand may just be making excuses.

4. Who can say? There are classics that everyone should be exposed to,
but don't forget the modern composers. You learn from everything you
play. Right now, my daughter is in love with Brahms' No. 2, but last
year it was something else.

Just my opinions!

Jill E.

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