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Bad tone :(

Author: sanya
Date: 2007-08-08 01:01

I have an audition for a music class at my university on September 12th. I stopped playing for the first time in years last September, found that it was a huge mistake since I missed it dearly, and picked it up again late May/early June. My tone is horrible - it was never excellent by any means but I have regressed a lot. I decided to just keep practicing my best and see how it goes in September. I have the pieces I'm playing down pat - I don't want to jinx it, but my rhythm is perfect - all the technical parts are perfect or damn near close to it. But I sound terrible. :(

My question is for someone who teaches a university class or equivalent - something that requires an audition to get in. I know I can make my tone better with practice. Will the fact that I can technically play the pieces really well be considered more than just a little during the audition? Because if I am allowed into the class, my tone will improve over time. But I want - I need to be in the class. Or else nothing will force me to practice... I'm an extremely busy Psychology major and music is incredibly important to me, and I don't want to lose it. Will the people at the audition be able to look past the tone?

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Re: Bad tone :(

Author: bufclar
Date: 2007-08-08 01:18

I think you should do your best and not worry about your tone. Clarinet tone is very subjective. We often use words like "dark", "bright" etc and most of us can't really agree what they even mean.

What is important is rhythm, intonation, and style or musicality.

Do your best to show the preperation you have done and don't beat yourself up. Developing tone quality is not hard and much more plesant than teaching someone how to count or how to play a phrase in a musical, expressive way. You might not get first chair in an ensemble but the things that you have going for you are very important and doing them well will show a lot to the people who listen to you.

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