Klarinet Archive - Posting 000781.txt from 2002/04

From: MVinquist@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Feedback -- Playing in Orchestra vs. Band
Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2002 21:11:24 -0400

Karl Krelove says [various snips]: >>When I'm playing alone, I react to
everything that comes out of the clarinet. When I am playing in a small
ensemble, I can hear most of what I'm doing enough to be able to react and
adjust. Playing principal in an orchestra, I get less aural feedback though
still quite a bit, playing second even less, and so I must rely increasingly
on tactile/kinetic feedback to achieve any level of control over tone or
anything else. Playing in a band brings the lowest level of aural feedback
and requires me to try to react almost exclusively on the basis of "feel." Am
I alone in finding that my tactile (auto-kinetic?) sensitivity in ensemble
situations is often completely unreliable? Sometimes what I'm doing "feels"
fine until my part is suddenly exposed and a quick adjustment of my pitch or
tone becomes necessary. I don't "feel" rhythm in my fingers nearly so
accurately when I can't also hear the result. As a consequence passages that
I can play perfectly competently when I can hear them can become befuddling
and hard to control when I can't hear them through the din around me.<<

Karl -

That's my experience also, and I think that of most people. Particularly in
bands, where (except in the very best) everyone plays loud all the time, it's
nearly impossible to hear what you're doing. Also, when you play as part of
a large clarinet section, the goal is to blend -- not to stick out. In an
orchestra, you play with a couple of other players on your part, and in
chamber music, it's one on a part. You certainly have to blend with the
other instruments, but you also assert the character of your instrument, as
well as your own personal sound.

When I was in the West Point Band, I studied with Alexander Williams. He
said that he had taught many band players, and most of them had a dull tone,
probably from having to blend in as part of a large section. Also, even in
the West Point Band, the section players were not as good, or individual, as
successful solo and orchestral players.

I've always had to work hard to put resonance and individuality in my sound.
I don't play in bands any more, simply to avoid losing what I have (not to
mention avoiding the din:-).

Best regards.

Ken Shaw

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