Klarinet Archive - Posting 001221.txt from 1998/07

From: Dodgshun family <dodgshun@-----.nz>
Subj: RE: [kl] re: Loud Brass
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1998 22:43:08 -0400

At 04:23 PM 27/07/98 -0700, you wrote:
>This is a real problem.
>
>Asking an orchestral trumpet player to tone it down is of no use--it's like
>asking a golden retriever not to run after a ball when you throw it. These
>guys (almost always guys, anyway) have been in training for years to "crack
>the bell" when they get to the last page of the symphony--what you are
>complaining about is EXACTLY the sound that they are trying to get. They
>have less than no sympathy for you--your pain is part of their endorphin
>rush.

Not always. Most of the guys here (youth orchestra level) are pretty
sympathetic, and will tone it down, at least in rehearsals when we can't get
hold of soundshields. The symphony orch here is not quite as good - all are
reasonably happy to play more quietly except the principal, who seems to
have one dynamic - ff. Conductors go mad at him, especially in baroque
stuff (Bach B minor mass etc), but he's not impressed when asked to play
quietly.

>What makes the problem worse--at least for me--is that I am in perfect
>agreement with them (when I am in the audience). The trumpet call in Mahler
>5 *should* send a shiver up your spine, even if you're only a college
>student and can only afford balcony tickets.

Absolutely. But quiet brass, done well, is also spine-chilling. We're
playing Shostakovich "Festival Overture" atm, and the trumpet opening is
fantastic, even at mf. Our conductor simply won't let them play louder than
f. Mind you, acoustics of a room/concert hall can make a big difference.
All our concerts are in a cathedral with a very helpful acoustic, which
means the guys can get away with playing a bit quieter.

>And as loud as these folks get, it is nothing compared to a big band
>(playing Kenton charts, for example). If I recall, the Peanut Vendor
>requires the entire section to lip trill a double f . . . I sincerely doubt
>that this can be done mezzo forte.

That's why trombones are always put in front of trumpets - they stop the
saxes going deaf! I don't find trombones to be nearly as painful as
trumpets - anyone disagree?

>So what to do? For the big band, earplugs are a necessity--I won't rehearse
>w/o them, much less play a gig with the amps turned on.

I'm lucky in this - our band director is *always* telling us that the mark
of a good big band is one that can play quietly. Anyone can play loudly,
not so many can play softly. And the trumpets are always the first section
to be shut up. Our indoor gigs are usually dances or parties where we're
background, so we have to play quietly. Outdoor gigs don't tend to be such
a problem for me.

For musicals in the
>pit, I usually try to make do with 1 plug in the most offended ear. In the
>orchestra, I don't like plugs--hearing the flute and oboe is (often) imp't,
>and I find that plugs make that too hard--so I beg for "blare shields" and,
>if we can, putting the trumpets down on the end where they can bother the
>violas.

I know I've already mentioned these, but try musician's earplugs. They are
a godsend.

Anna

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