Klarinet Archive - Posting 000128.txt from 2007/11

From: "Lelia Loban" <lelialoban@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Reading music instead of memorizing
Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2007 07:40:33 -0500

Tim Roberts wrote,
> Are you talking about soloists or ensemble performers? In my
> experience, soloists usually do have their parts memorized, in part
> because it makes for a better "show". Ensemble players do not have the
> same need for putting on a good show. Also, the soloist is playing the
> melody, and the melody is always easier to memorize. Third clarinet
> parts are just not as "intuitive".
>
> Finally, some people have the ability to memorize easily, and some do
> not. I don't think it's particularly useful to read anything into it.

Tim, I think your answer is full of good common sense. For some of us,
though, nothing works. Back when I used to try to perform at student
recitals (I never got above that level and never played well enough to
deserve to), I memorized easily but had so much stage fright that I put the
music on the stand anyway whenever possible, in case of the expected memory
lapse. Sometimes, though, having the music on the stand made matters worse,
because then I contended not only with panic-stricken memory whoopsies but
also with turning the pages, sometimes two or three at a time!--or put
myself at the mercy of a page-turner who might or might not be paying
attention--or something worse.

I'll never forget the stranger who got assigned to me as page turner at
random at one regional high school competition. She introduced herself five
minutes before we went on by saying, "I can't read music, but just nod when
you want me to turn the page." Er...this piano score had repeats. Lots of
repeats. Including D. C. al segno. Aaaaagggghhh! I told her, "Oh, that's
okay, I think I can manage the page turns by myself." Which I couldn't.
Oh, well, it was only one fiasco among many, but after that I worked up the
nerve to impose on a friend to take this boring job.

Lelia Loban
Impeach Cheney first.

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