Klarinet Archive - Posting 000626.txt from 1998/11

From: Lisa Clayton <lisakc@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] No We're NOT weak!
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 16:10:15 -0500

At 03:45 PM 11.17.98 -0500, you wrote:
>Far be it for me to blame the band directors...I'm studying to be one.
>I gues I'm just one big contradiction after another here, but:
>I have to disagree with "Band directors often place there weakest players
>on bass clarinet" because i play 1st clarinet in my high school Wind
>ensemble, plus am normally in the top of the section in the band which I
>play the bass in. My dad (also the band director) put me on the bass
>because the low brass section is weak and I was the only clarinetist
>who's had experience on the bass.
>the only reaso I wrote that bass clarinets are always being forgotton is
>because i had just come from my band rehearsal and was a bit depressed
>because hwile my own father had us going through bass lines, he promptly
>forgot that wonderful bass sitting in front of the tubas. :(
>Bass clarinet isn't so bad. :)

My band director does this too. She wants a section worked on, she'll call
out "Low brass! Bassoons!" Best way to get these anti-low-clarinet
conductors to change their habits? Start asking, very loudly, "Do you want
BASS CLARINETS too? We have that part." Makes them break their
concentration and eventually they'll get the point, if only to avoid having
to start their train of thought chugging uphill again.

in Bass Clarinet Solidarity,

Lisa Clayton
lisakc@-----.com

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