Klarinet Archive - Posting 000669.txt from 2002/03
From: "Patricia Alison Smith" <pattiesmith@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Alto clarinet and clarinet music majors; was Vito Alto Clarinet
Date: Sat, 23 Mar 2002 09:18:14 -0500
Bishop L.D Jackson wrote:
I'm interested in what you have to say about the alto clarinet because I
hardly find any posts about it in this list.
Patricia:
That is because alto clarinets are evil and need to be destroyed - ALL of
them. ;-)
Seriously, to be honest, Mr. Jackson, I think the reason the instrument is
not utilized any more than it is, is because it is constructed so poorly.
There are myriad intonation problems, making it difficult in the extreme to
play in tune with itself (much less with other instruments).
Secondly, there are other members of the clarinet family that cover that
range oh so much more nicely - the bass clarinet (someone on the list
recently pointed out that it is not REALLY a bass clarinet, but more of a
tenor or baritone clarinet - I would have to agree) covers the lower part of
its register) and the Bb clarinet covers the upper part.
The sometimes maligned basset horn also has that area covered. However, I
will leave discussion of it to those who are a GREAT DEAL more learned than
I - Mr. Leeson comes readily to mind.
A bit of advice to the young people in high school who are considering
taking up other members of the clarinet family than the Bb: I suggest
skipping the alto, to be completely honest. You will find developing your
tone and technique on the bass clarinet a much more worthwhile endeavor.
Also, you will find that all that hard work will also be needed for your Bb
if you are even REMOTELY considering becoming a college or university music
major. You do NOT major on the other clarinets - your major instrument is
the Bb - and the others you practice when you are done working with your Bb.
You may not like that reality, but that is the reality. I hope I have not
been too brusque; however, this is how it works. And it is best to find it
out here - rather than in your auditions for college when you are not ready
for them!
Also, to be blunt and to the point:
Find yourself a GOOD teacher and get cracking. You cannot prepare yourself
to major in music without one. It is not possible, no matter how talented
you are. It is worth the extra expense, and it is worth cutting out some of
the other partying and other extracurricular activities you are involved
in, IF you like music that much. If you have only a cursory interest in
music, don't expect to be accepted into the music programs on that level.
There are too many other people who are willing to go the extra mile.
Again, I am not being mean. I am being honest. The people on this list who
have seen me post know I am not a mean person. They also know - especially
the few who know me personally - that I am also a kind and concerned
teacher - whether you play for a hobby or are serious about a career in
music. I am one of those teachers who teach both kinds, and do not expect
everyone I teach to "major" in music and become a symphony player or
soloist. There is a lot of room for all in this world.
Also, be aware of your own limitations. If you are a nervous sort, you may
not wish to become a performer. You may be better suited to working in a
field in which you get to work with music, yet are not performing all the
time. There will always be a need for music teachers, and the field of
music therapy (which I intend to go into, once my children are a little
older and I can devote the time I need to devote to it) is growing by leaps
and bounds in the larger urban areas of the U.S. I cannot speak for the
U.K. and other parts of the world, but I hope other members of the list from
those places will speak out.
I was one of those kids who had a really hard time figuring out what it was
*I* wanted to do in life, rather than what it was other people expected of
me or what it would be that I could do that would impress them the most. It
took me a lot of years, and a lot of twists and turns along the road. When
I can assist young people in deciding how they can best make the use of
their musical talents, whether it is as a music teacher, professional
musician, a classroom teacher, a church musician, as a hobbyist player after
a long day at the office or whatever, it means a great deal to me.
I apologize for the length of this post; however, if I can be of service to
young people who are making career choices, then I want to do so.
Patricia A. Smith
pattiesmith@-----.net
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