Klarinet Archive - Posting 000054.txt from 2007/04

From: Tom Puwalski <tski1128@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Re: Bass Clarinet
Date: Sat, 07 Apr 2007 10:12:31 -0400

Major audition, used buffet or selmer, good condition. OK if it's
for a major audition, he should know which brand he wants or needs,
and it better be in great condition. I have a Buffet 1193, out of the
box it was a good bass, it took a few months of playing an a tweek
job in vancouver to make it a great bass. 15-20 years ago if you had
your own bass, regardless of shape, put you ahead of 90%of people
taking auditions on bass. These days, people show up with top notch
horns in great shape. The days of borrowing an instrument, or buying
one a month before the audition have long since passed. My bet is
that A used leblanc, with some tweeking by the right person, and some
serious bass practicing along with some study with someone who is a
bass master, would go pretty far in getting your nephew ready for a
major audition.

A few years back I took a friend over to a U.S Army Field band
audition, he was getting ready to graduate, I had retired from that
band and was finishing my master's, it was for a bass clarinet
opening. He thought the audition was going to be kind of easy, I
tried to tell him that people showing up on these have some serious
game, he hadn't done all the things I suggested. He got his bass, a
nice Buffet low C, six months before the audition. I told he to call
Ed Palanker, bass in Balto sym, he didn't. I told him to make the
bulk of what he did everyday bass clarinet. he didn't. I think he
thought it would be like high school band, lets take our worse Bb
player and stick them on bass, it wasn't! We showed up at the band
hall, and down in the practice room were at least 2 Howard Klug
students, playing the crap out of the Bach cello suite! Faster,
smoother, nice sounds and circular breathing! My friend didn't stand
a chance. My bet is Klug students take bass playing real seriously!
AND they study with someone who totally wails on bass.

I think a teaching shout out is in order here. When I was auditioning
clarinetists for the USAFB, the students of Frank Kowasky, and Howard
Klug always did well on the auditions. By well, I mean showing up
with absolute mastery of the fundamentals! Beautiful sound, great
rhythm, solid articulation and they practiced the tunes! Nice
teaching guys!

PS. I will be performing at the ICA in Vancouver this year, on July
4th with the Pacific symphonic wind ensemble and with The Atonement.
I will also be giving my class: Klezmer for the Classically Impaired.
It should be a blast!

Tom Puwalski, former soloist with the US Army Field Band, Clarinetist
with the Atonement & Lox&Vodka, and Author of "The Clarinetist's
Guide to Klezmer" and most recently by the order of the wizard of Oz,
for supreme intelligence, a Masters in Clarinet performance

On Apr 6, 2007, at 8:20 PM, Carlinda wrote:

> Thanks for your quick reply. My nephew specifically said no
> Leblanc. And it
> is for a major audition! But, thanks anyway!
> Carlinda
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Fred Jacobowitz" <fbjacobo@-----.net>
> To: <klarinet@-----.org>
> Sent: Friday, April 06, 2007 8:15 PM
> Subject: Re: [kl] ISO Bass Clarinet
>
>
>> Carlinda,
>> Would you be interested in a Leblanc Low C? I have one for sale for
>> $3,000. It's not quite a Prestige but it'll handle pretty much
>> anything
>> you need a bass for except major auditions. It is in perfect
>> condition
>> (if a little tarnished).
>>
>> Fred Jacobowitz
>>
>> Kol Haruach Klezmer Band
>> Ebony and Ivory Duo
>> On Apr 6, 2007, at 8:09 PM, Carlinda wrote:
>>
>>> My nephew is in search of a Selmer or Buffet, low C bass clarinet,
>>> preferably used and in good condition. I know, not asking much,
>>> huh? We
>>> would appreciate it if anyone has any leads. Thanks.
>>>
>>> Carlinda Boyles
>>>
>>>
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