Klarinet Archive - Posting 000813.txt from 1998/08

From: ROBERT ABRAHAM <rkabear@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Bad Audition (on bass clarinet)]
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1998 10:09:22 -0400

I agree with the sentiment that we should be able to get feedback (Scott G.'s Posting) But the quote about "We'll place you SOMEWHERE. Most likely NOT the top band" was *NOT* constructive, nor was it empowering the auditionee to practice and improve on a specific critical point. A more appropriate suggestion for constructive criticism to the auditionee with vibrato would be "Vibrato is typically not used in this genre of music." or "Vibrato on bass clarinet is not a widely accepted practice." or "Your vibrato is too overpowering/pronounced on bass clarinet for the context this passage is written in."

Criticism that is constructive is useful. We are not dogs. "Bad dog!" does nothing for our self esteem, nor is it productive because it tells us nothing specific about *WHY* our style is not preferred or not right.

I will get off my soapbox.

Kelly Abraham
Woodwinds/Computer Geek
New York City
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> > > [...] he concluded the audition with, "We'll place you SOMEWHERE. Most
> > > likely NOT the top band. You're just starting. Maybe
> > > you'll have some time to acquaint yourself with that pretty horn of
> > > yours."
> >

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