 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2005-09-28 01:02
I've come into some money lately and I was thinking to expand my career opportunities I'd like to get a Bass or an Eb. I'm not sure which though, because I enjoy both, and I would one day hope to end up in a principal position.
My teacher recommended getting an Eb because the associate principal plays Eb and that's the closest to principal so the chances of 'moving up' are higher.
What do you all think? Should I get a C clarinet as well?
PS. Since you can't order 'special' clarinets from IMS anymore, where should I go? I just want a good one selected and sent out to me, perhaps even brannenized.
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2005-09-28 04:54
I just got an R13 Eefer for $400 that I coudn't pass up. :P But I really need a bass more... so it's hard to say, really. I've played the eefer for a gig already, but I also needed the bass clarinet. I would say that there is more oppertunity on bass than eefer. That's just my opinion, though.
--CG
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-09-28 10:55
You have a few considerations to take. A good bass will cost at least twice, and sometimes more than three times more than a good Eb. If you can afford a bass it is more likely you will be able to afford an Eb later. Also you might be able to afford a good bass and a low priced Eb right now.
Another consideration is which one you like better. I like both bass and Eb, but like the bass better. You might not like one of them.
Also you want to compare what is more important, your goal or what you like. I know that if I played in an orchestra I would prefer the bass clarinetist position even if the principal would be more money. If you like the bass a lot but play in an orchestra only on soprano clarinets you might regret it, and vise versa, if you like the Eb a lot and will most be playing bass.
Good luck.
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Author: clarinetwife
Date: 2005-09-28 14:15
Morrigan wrote:
My teacher recommended getting an Eb because the associate principal plays Eb and that's the closest to principal so the chances of 'moving up' are higher.
This makes sense in some ways. However, I would be interested in the experiences of those who are out there auditioning these days. Are there a lot of audition lists that include the eefer compared to bass opeinings? I actually ended up passing up an audition this fall because I don't have an eefer. The orchestra in question hs a bass specialist of long standing, though.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2005-09-28 14:30
You see the thing is, I could afford a bass, and Eb, a C and probably a D as well but of course, as if I'm just going to go out and buy all of them at once, it would be an INCREDIBLY stupid thing to do, to waste all of my money at once.
I really do like bass, but I like playing 1st more! Eb makes sense - it has one of those always-heard parts which could lead to experiences that will strengthen me as a confident leader; it's so easy to 'hide' on bass.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-09-28 14:49
Morrigan - I've been watching to see what others may recommend, and I believe we need to know, from you, about what you envision as your playing career. First of all, concert band OR classical-symp [or "chamber"] orchestra OR jazz [small or large group, Dixie?, church?, etc]. Your ref. to "principal" sounds like classics to me. If so, I'd suggest, if you dont already have an A cl, it should be 1st choice, then I'd put a "good" bass 2nd, and an Eb sop as 3rd choice, based on what I've experienced as usage-need. My AM thots. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: saxlite
Date: 2005-09-28 15:08
If you are aiming for the first chair position, then I would recommend the Eb-the parts (and the sound) are very noticable. There are clearly more opportunities to play Bass than Eb; however you will be forever branded as a Bass player; hard to move from that position to the principal's chair. They both have their individual attraction- you just have to decide what best satisfies your ambitions/ tastes......
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