Klarinet Archive - Posting 000176.txt from 2004/07

From: "Ted Casher" <tedcasher@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Bumblebee
Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2004 17:04:01 -0400

Ted Casher here again. A comparative feat of derring-do for jazz
clarinetists would be the playing and improvising on Chick Corea's "Spain"
in the concert key of B minor. Clare Fischer's "Pensativa" lies better on
clarinet, but demands more of a clarinetist in the transitions through key
areas. Or even Coltrane's "Giant Steps!"

I LOVE playing "Pensativa" and I am working up "Spain."
Chick Corea was a buddy of mine in the early 60s---we were young working
musicians in the Revere Beach area near Boston. Chick was creative from the
get-go; he never really liked to play anybody else's music save his own. I
remember teaching him enough tunes so he could do a New Year's Eve gig!

For the record---the audition pieces that got me into Eastman back in 1954,
were the Weber Concertino and the Hindemith Clarinet Sonata.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Patricia A. Smith" <arlyss1@-----.net>
To: <klarinet@-----.org>
Sent: Monday, July 05, 2004 11:26 AM
Subject: Re: [kl] Bumblebee

> Karl Krelove wrote:
>
> >Then Gary's response prompted another question: Gary, you seem to have a
particular version in mind, and I wondered if there is one that anyone
considers a "standard" arrangement of this basically orchestral piece? Time
was editors would include some version of Bumblebee in practically every
collection of short solos for intermediate or advanced students they
published. I've seen it in several keys, the key choice making the piece
either eminently playable or nearly impossible.
> >
> Karl, this also brings another thought to mind:
>
> I believe the choice of whether or not to use such a piece as "Flight of
> the Bumblebee" for an audition would depend upon the purpose of the
> audition. Now, as many of us have assumed, if this audition is for a
> school of music, in order to become a music major, or to be accepted by
> a premiere music conservatory, then, I concur with the others, it is not
> a good choice.
>
> However, there could be other situations in which it perhaps might be a
> good choice. Coupled with what you are saying, about particular
> arrangements being in keys that are, by intention, VERY difficult to
> play, and intended to impress the listener, this piece could actually be
> a good choice for certain auditions. I'm thinking in terms of the
> following:
>
> -the non-music major who wishes to audition for a university wind
> ensemble or concert band that consists primarily of music majors, who
> must also sightread on the audition, and only has a VERY few moments to
> show technical proficiency that is on a par with the others who will be
> chosen for the ensemble
> - the auditionee for any university band who has limited time, and is
> required to choose a piece in a VERY difficult key (again, keeping in
> mind what you've written above, Karl) This probably fits into the first
> area I mentioned.
>
> I'm sure others will have some additional comments in this area.
>
> Patricia Smith
>
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