Klarinet Archive - Posting 000369.txt from 2001/03

From: Veldeb@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Re: band rivals
Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2001 17:07:03 -0500

Whether youre first chair or last chair...youre part of an ensemble including a whole section of clarinets. A band is only as good as the last chair third clarinet. If the entire section cant play at a certain grade level, then the whole band is held up. A true section leader vs just a first chair learns to help the whole section and not just advance their own career. Playing a second or third part may not seem as glamorous but those parts can be just as hard when you get into more advanced music <just try playing a part back and forth over the break your whole life and you have a 2nd clarinetist <G>> I'm currently in a community band where we have a section leader but no chairs. One piece I may be playing first, another 3rd and another the Eb soprano. Ive only learned this lesson some 42 years into my life and after 32 years of playing clarinet. Some people talk about "oboe" personalities..almost like it were diva opera singer but particularly in band we usually hear!
about the clarinet section. I
had a great teacher that asked his students..."would you like to play in a band where you were the best or the worst clarinet?" The inclination is to say "the best" but in terms of improving and learning the most, if everyone were better than you.. you would have that much more incentive to improve yourself and learn. We cant all be shepherds in the flock.. ya gotta have some sheep too! i would give your teachers name graciously, consider it a compliment and not a threat and give the teachers name to the last chair as well <G> Good luck!

Blake Velde
Arlington VA

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