Klarinet Archive - Posting 000718.txt from 2002/03
From: "Bishop L.D. Jackson III" <lubydjackson@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Alto clarinet and clarinet music majors; Music Psychology
Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2002 02:24:39 -0500
No, Pattie I duly appreciate your honesty. There are a few things I
want to say so I'll get right on it.
I'm looking and there are a lot of posts about what we're talking about.
Finally, some good words about the alto clarinet.
I have a particular interest in it because I played it just as much as I
did with my Bb back in Junior High. TBH, I kinda a peaked out on Bb in
9th grade. It is only now, way after undergrad, that I am beginning to
mature on Bb. I've a busy life. By the 8th grade I wanted something to
challenge me and that's the type of person that I am. If I don't have a
challenge then I can't adhere.
I had a really great alto clarinet and my JH band teacher encouraged me
to play it as much as possible. I made the region band and did a solo
on it. Yes, it has tuning problems and the parts that are written for
it really aren't decorative. However, in the wind ensemble/symphonic
band genre - the parts are meaningful and soloistic. I remember two
alto clarinet players in undergrad and they had the neatest parts.
My interest in this member of the clarinet family is because I am
stuyding clarinet on my own and I'm noticing that especially in opera,
everyday TV commercials and especially soap opera and film/movie music.
I'm noticing that if something eerie is coming up or something
melancholy is about to happen, I unmistakenly here the alto clarinet.
Care to touch on that? I know I'm getting into the psychology of music
but I've BEEN hearing this for two decades now.
The other point I wanted to make has to do with clarinets pitched to the
key of Eb. Those clarinets tend to have horrid tuning problems even the
contralto. I just think it's the science behind it all. I like what
you're saying about the "bass" clarinet not really being bass. It is a
tenor voiced instrument comparable to the cello and I do understand
your points about majoring and everything. Makes a lot of sense, it's
just that a guy like me needs the extra challenge and this is why I love
playing ALL members of the clarinet family post-graduation.
But in reality, I am going to read upon the alto clarinet because I do
love the challenge. When played correctly, it can be a very powerful
instrument.
pattiesmith@-----.net wrote:
>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
>
>
>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>It's Sneezy.Org Pledge time. Please visit
>http://www.sneezy.org/Pledge.html
>
---------------------------------------------------------------------
It's Sneezy.Org Pledge time. Please visit
http://www.sneezy.org/Pledge.html
