Klarinet Archive - Posting 000944.txt from 2001/10

From: lubydjackson@-----. Jackson)
Subj: Re: [kl] Band vs orch eefer range
Date: Tue, 30 Oct 2001 20:55:32 -0500

What does one mean about "voicing" those notes on eefer?

The reason I play eefer is because of boredom on first clarinet. I also
wanted to play eefer so that I can be heard.

However, with all of that in mind I'm noticing a trend in public schools now
where the eefer is being removed. This trend is also happening in academia
where the eefer is no longer a viable part of the ensemble.

Can anyone enlighten me on these trends?
----- Original Message -----
From: "Virginia Anderson" <assembly1@-----.com>
Subject: [kl] Band vs orch eefer range

> on 29/10/01 9:15 am, EClarinet@-----.com wrote:
>
> > I just don't know where people get the idea that band eefer parts do not
go
> > up as high as orchestral ones.
>
> The caution happens in mass-market arrangements for schools, especially
> those which used to be ranked A and below (do they still do this?). Those
> AA and AAA (good high school or normal university) tend to use the full
> practicable range of the instrument.
>
> Of course, tasteful selection by the band director will knock out much of
> those jobsworth arrangements in which the Eb is a makeweight. It might be
> in the director's interest to let the eefer player double first when such
> pieces come up. Although the Eb is the most noble instrument in the
> universe, there may come a time when it doesn't make orchestrational sense
> to have one (how, I can't imagine), so why write for it at all? One might
> let the eefer player learn crocheting or do crossword puzzles like utility
> players in orchestras, but the educational and recreational nature of most
> bands prevents this.
>
> One could revive the old-fashioned solo and first clarinet parts for band,
> giving the Eb to the solo clarinettist when needed, but often the person
who
> will really take the time to study the Eb is someone who is good and likes
> the spotlight but is not the best player. If the band repertoire
warrants,
> perhaps the Eb player could keep a nominal ranking as a 1st clarinettist
> (kind of like Counsellor Troi in Star Trek, who went for 5 years before
> coming out as a commander - oh, wow, my geek credentials are showing!),
and
> swinging into action on Bb when the Eb part isn't essential. Perhaps one
> could have alto clarinettists double as well.
>
> > I
> > find that it takes just as much embouchure pressure to play an eefer's
high F
> > as it does to play a double Bb on the Bb clarinet, since you are
effectively
> > playing the same note.
> <snip>
> > Of course, it is never easy to play that high on eefer, and the throat
Ab key
> > helps a lot to get those notes above E out, but I find that I am most
> > successful when I resist the urge to bite to get those notes, and just
really
> > voice them as small as I can.
>
> My experience is the same. Although the embouchure is tighter, it should
> not be painful or uncomfortable. If the high notes on Eb (as in Bb) come
> with headaches, deep dents in the lower lip or (ick!) blood, then the
> embouchure, mouthpiece, reed, and instrument intonation should be checked.
> by "voice them as small as you can", Elise, you mean making it softer by
> means of breath support?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Virginia
>
> --
> Virginia Anderson
> Leicester, UK
> <vanderson@-----.uk>
> Experimental Music Catalogue: <http://www.experimentalmusic.co.uk>
> ...experimental music since 1969....
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>

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