Klarinet Archive - Posting 000193.txt from 2002/11

From: "Forest E. Aten Jr." <forestaten@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Why Bb? (was: reverse Mozart)
Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2002 12:20:22 -0500

> As for Nancy's issue, she is asking for informed opinions from other
> players, not a sweeping dismissal that suggests her question is stupid. It
> might be helpful that other players with known experience contribute
> specific insight, which then would help her approach the instruments in
such
> a way that the transition from one to another is made easier.

William,

I play most of the clarinet family in professional settings in Dallas.
Eb in the Dallas Wind Symphony www.dws.org
2nd clarinet/slide to bass in the Dallas Opera orchestra www.dallasopera.org
And do a lot of auxiliary clarinet work (extra) with both the Dallas and Ft.
Worth Symphonies.

My point being that I play all of the clarinets....and make frequent changes
in what clarinet I'm playing every week.
I find that since I'm working daily, and of course maintaining proficiency
on all of the clarinets , that I do not notice that one is more difficult
than another to play. (This does takes time each day. When I play different
clarinets during the week, I always start my practice and warm-up on the
largest instrument first.)It only takes me a very short time to be
comfortable with whatever clarinet I'm playing. If I don't play a
particular clarinet for a longer period of time...it's quite a different
story. But I feel that it is only because I've been away from that
particular clarinet....not that one is more difficult than another. (But
this is true even when I change from one Bb to another...I have lots of
clarinets and use them all. It depends on what I'm performing and/or what I
want to accomplish in my playing)

I would suggest to Nancy, that she practice most of the time on her A
clarinet for a while. I think that soon she would feel very comfortable
(perhaps even as comfortable) using the A. She noted that she was more
comfortable on her Eb and even mentioned that it was probably because she
uses it more often. This observation alone may be the answer to her question
and reinforces my own observation through experience.

What's the old saying, "use it or lose it".....

Regards,

Forest

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