Klarinet Archive - Posting 000556.txt from 2004/07

From: <chamberlaind@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Can you offer guidance on Amati purchase ... (newbie)
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 18:03:09 -0400

Jon:

I play a lot of jazz standards and also spent several years in the past
playing Eastern European style music. I learned to transpose out of
necessity. If you decide not to purchase the C clarinet you can do 2 things:

1. Learn how to transpose up a step. If you do it consistently it becomes
2nd nature. Practice scales and arpeggios in th keys of E, C# (gasp!) B and
F#.
2. Have someone you know transpose the charts for you (I assume you use
written charts?) Maybe I did not read your e-mail carefully. But assuming
you have charts with the melodies written out, maybe you can have them
transposed. There is a lot of music software out there that is fairly easy
to use. If you have midi capability you can have someone play the melody on
the electric piano or keyboard and the software will write out the melody in
the correct key with the rhythmic notations, etc. You might have to pay
someone to do it for you or learn how to do it yourself. I use Finale
myself. It is not a piece of cake but it works for me when I need to
transpose my vocal charts. (I sing also.)

I don't know anything about Amati. But I certainly would try one out before
I bought it.

Kim C
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jon Scott Higgs" <jonshiggs@-----.com>
To: <klarinet@-----.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2004 3:11 PM
Subject: [kl] Can you offer guidance on Amati purchase ... (newbie)

> Musical Friends,
>
> I am very impressed by the sophistication of list contributors -- and hope
> that anyone can spare a few words for an intermediate player in need of
> guidance.
>
> My goal - to play in small folk music ensembles, with good intonation and
> tone. Most melodies are simple, and the better players improvise
> counter-melodies and variations. There is a lot of sight-reading, while
> others 'play by ear'
>
> At my current skill level, transposing the concert pitch music onto my Bb
> clarinet puts many of the melodies (which tend to be in "fiddle-friendly"
> keys of D and A) in the keys of E and B -- with rapid passages that are
> simply impossible for any level of technique I expect to reach in the next
> 12 months...
>
> The solution already employed by local clarinetists is to play C
clarinets.
> They have spent about $2000 each on their instruments (I think Patricola
and
> Noblet) -- completely beyond my means.
>
> WWBW advertises Amati C clarinets for about $525, which I could manage ...
> but the Klarinet archives suggest that quality varies widely on these
> instruments. Apparently, a 'test drive' is the only reliable way to judge,
> and it's best to have several to try.
>
> I live about 2 hours drive from the Amati distribution center (they are in
> north New Jersey, off the Garden State Parkway), and they are willing to
let
> me come and try several instruments. Here's the rub: I don't think I'm
> competent to make a good judgment !
>
> Can you please offer:
>
> 1- suggestions of things to look/listen for when examining and playing ?
>
> 2- suggestions of a systematic approach to assessment
>
> 3- or (wild hope !), is anyone interested in a short field trip to the
Amati
> distribution center -- you could explore the wide range of instruments of
an
> interesting (and still inexpensive) Eastern European brand and help an
> enthusiastic intermediate player avoid the teeth-gnashing and
hair-tearing
> frustration of spending the next 5+ years struggling with an instrument
that
> is "off."
>
> My immediate plan is to go some day next week (7/19-23) -- I see that
there
> is a big conference in Maryland, but it would cost $100+ travel to go see
> exhibits (I'm not a member, and not nearly skilled enough to be a
> participant), and would probably not put an instrument in my hands.
>
> The month of August is my "prime time" to focus of practice -- I'd love to
> set aside my (eBay - $90) plastic Bb and start making progress on a C
> instrument !
>
> Thanks in advance for suggestions and guidance of any sort !
>
> Jon Scott Higgs
>
> MSN Life Events gives you the tips and tools to handle the turning points
in
> your life. http://lifeevents.msn.com
>
>
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