Klarinet Archive - Posting 000254.txt from 2005/03

From: "David McClune" <dmcclune@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] excessive amplification
Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2005 07:57:05 -0500

About 10 days ago I say the Producers in NYC on Broadway at the St James
theater. The pit was heavily damped and the only sound I heard during
the show came from the loudspeakers. Thankfully that sound was not
blaring and the overall balance was decent. I missed the natural
hugging quality of music in the air directly from the pit. In talking
to a couple players later, it seems that natural sound is gone in
Broadway on the whole. The pits are getting smaller as the stage
effects get larger and move closer to the lip of the stage. In some
shows, the players are in another room and play just to microphones.
Thay can come to work in shorts and a T shirt and no one knows. They
follow a conductor on TV moniters, but who still waves their arms at the
stage...and to cameras.

Mic's can sure help the vocals, etc, but the overall sound in that
theater would have been glorious with natural accoutic sounds.

Alas...

As to loud players (brass andpercussion), they need a condutor who can
use "the hand." You know..the outsreatched arm with the hand up like a
police officer signling STOP; "the hand."! Course the players hate it,
but the condutors JOB is to help balance the ensemble.

Dave

Dr. David McClune
Professor of Woodwinds
Director of Bands
Union University-1862
1050 Union University Drive
Jackson, TN 38305

Office-731-661-5294
dmcclune@-----.edu
www.mcclunemouthpiece.com

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