Klarinet Archive - Posting 001021.txt from 2000/04

From: Neil Leupold <leupold_1@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Community Bands
Date: Mon, 24 Apr 2000 22:00:37 -0400

--- "Ray S. Whitmore" <ray@-----.com> wrote:

> Clarinet sections always sound better when there is at least one strong
> player in each section. I would rather see the 3 strongest players sit first
> chair on each part. Unfortunately, there is a prestige to playing first and
> a stigma attached to sitting in the seconds and thirds. Probably a hangup
> left over from high school band.

And yet we know that there are very specific and valuable skills associated
with being a competent 2nd player in an orchestra. In any of the major or-
chestras, the 2nd clarinetist must be the technical and musical equal of his
principal counterpart -- in addition to possessing that special ear for blend-
ing and complementing the 1st part. It's unfortunate that the stigma exists
re: non-principal parts in high school and community ensembles. In those
groups where there *is* an imbalance of experience and skill, the second and
third parts can provide a wonderful opportunity to work out one's weaknesses
while gaining exposure to higher quality playing among colleagues. As most
players will attest, one of the most important and inspiring forms of learning
takes place in the context of listening to and collaborating with other play-
ers, both within your instrumental family and beyond it.

-- Neil

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