 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: emily1031
Date: 2015-07-24 06:30
So, a bit of background.
I'm an incoming sophomore, and I'm now section leader for my schools advanced wind ensemble clarinet section. I'm gonna be blunt, and I don't mean any of this in an arrogant way -- I've been the best clarinetist at my school since my first day of high school, I made Allstate, got the highest score at districts, big whoop. Anyways, I would love some tips on how to make my section closer-knit, and sound better, without making some annoying ass out of myself. Two of my best friends are also in the section, and there's another sophomore, a senior (not too happy that I am section leader), and a junior. Last year during sectionals, I literally got NO respect, not many people would listen to me, neither did my best friend in the section, who was also a very talented freshman.
Id love to do some outside-of school sectionals, maybe have a day where we got froyo and hung out, idk, just something to make sure that we connect and bond and have fun.
How can I make sure that we can be the best section we can without annoying everyone in the section? I don't want to be annoying or anything.
Thank you!
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Author: kdk
Date: 2015-07-24 07:13
emily1031 wrote:
> How can I make sure that we can be the best section we can
> without annoying everyone in the section? I don't want to be
> annoying or anything.
>
You can't.
You can't "make sure that we can be the best section we can." The clarinet players in the section will have to do that. There are three things you can do to make sure *your* contribution is all that it can be:
1. Be positive. You all have to be in the experience together, not as adversaries.
2. When you point out an error of any kind, do it in a non-judgmental way. Assume the others are trying their best. Point out a mistake and describe how to fix it without characterizing anyone's effort or ability. Be realistic. What's easy for you may be very difficult for the less talented or accomplished section members.
3. When actually rehearsing, say what you need to say in as few words as possible. When not rehearsing be personable and part of the group.
You also may need to accept another reality - that being "the best section we can" may not be everyone else's goal. Kids are often involved in school music groups for the camaraderie and social interaction. You can't *make* anyone else care about musical quality - you can only demonstrate with your effort that *you* do. Bring enthusiasm and draw whomever you can into it with you and hope everyone else gets pulled in by the resulting social magnetism.
If you try to take on your own shoulders the responsibility for "making sure" by whatever means are necessary that the quality is as high as possible, you'll probably end up with moist of the section either ignoring you or actively fighting you. Try to have fun. Let small successes be their own reward and build on each other.
Karl
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-07-24 08:00
You will learn by being the section leader. You are already on the right path by clearly not wanting to be a domineering jerk. Of course even the best intentions can be misinterpreted but you'll soon find out where the boundaries are with your folks and just stay within that.
The real trick to being a great leader is having the ears of a cat. If you can pick out where the intonation issues are or where the articulation irregularities are fast enough, then addressing them sooner than later will make the whole rehearsal process more effective. Just keep everything within the group's tolerances and you'll do fine.
............Paul Aviles
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Author: Wisco99
Date: 2015-07-24 15:24
If getting NO RESPECT is a problem you could consider changing your name to Rodney Dangerfield. He made a ton of money off of getting NO RESPECT. Being a section leader, conductor, or employer is a no win job. No matter what you do some people will hate you eventually. The worst part of the gig is you don't get paid anything extra for being section leader, in fact you don't get paid at all. I hate to say it, but musicians are often like crabs in a barrel. If one tries to climb out the others will pull it back down. Water seeks its own level, and they often try to pull you down to their level. Play your best, ignore the idiots, and remember, this too shall pass. When one door closes, another door closes. Keep your sense of humor and you may survive.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2015-07-24 16:56
By the way - I didn't say it and should have in my last post - the greatest part of any leadership experience is what you yourself can learn from it. Having to diagnose and solve problems means analyzing - thinking the difficulty through and breaking it down into component parts to figure out the cause- which can open new ways of thinking about what you yourself do. Any opportunity to explain something to someone else is an opportunity for you to look more closely at how to do it correctly.
Everything you need to do is what a good teacher should be doing. The difference is that you're one of the students, not an authority set apart from them, so you need to work within a collegial, non-authoritarian tone.
Karl
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Author: kthln.hnsn
Date: 2015-07-24 18:05
I would recommend putting a strong player on 2nd and 3rd parts so that each part gets heard (almost like sub-section leaders of that makes sense?). They might be huffy about it at first because unfortunately people think that the 1st part is always the most important, but sometimes the 2nd part is most important and sometimes the 3rd part is. I personally don't like how in wind ensembles they go from the best player on 1st down to the worst player on 3rd, it can be annoying (stressful??) for the conductor to have to stop rehearsal for some half-a**ed 3rd clarinet part, then run through the section over and over and over and barely get anywhere because they have no leadership within their 3rd part section. Just give it a try for the first concert and talk to your director about it and if it absolutely doesn't work for you, oh well at least you tried. But I thinly pull be pleasantly surprised. Perhaps your two friends would be willing to help you out if they are strong players.
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Author: BflatNH
Date: 2015-07-24 18:26
Wow, what a great question that can apply to many situations in life.
I agree with being positive, less talking is better, lead by example, etc.
Sometimes you can motivate people to join in when they see others are working with you in a sectional (especially if you have discretion to designate people in your section for solos, etc.). Hearing and adopting any of their suggestions (if appropriate) can help build participation.
I've noticed that sometimes people don't participate (e.g. don't tune) because their instrument isn't working right (maybe they can't afford to fix it), or they don't know how to tell if they are flat or sharp, have no confidence, etc.
It is important to know clearly what your responsibilities are and what are the conductor's/teacher's responsibility. It is also good to have all in your section see that the conductor gives you the authority in your position. Nothing is worse for you than responsibility without authority. I think people want to play better individually and in their sections, and know that someone in charge (you) is necessary, and will appreciate anything you offer that helps them. If people intentionally fail to be responsible or disrupt, that needs to be dealt with, and you need to know who the conductor expects to deal with that, if that person is you, that he/she will back you up.
Then there are difficult situations that may not be resolved, like when the problem player is a friend of the conductor who wants them there.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2015-07-24 19:22
The principal clarinet in my band is fantastic. He SHOWS what he wants and leads by example, which means he doesn't often have to actually SAY anything. As a member of his section, I often know exactly what he wants and what I should do.
I also know what is expected of me, and where I stand. This makes me a secure and confident team member - and this is exactly what you'll want out of your section!
I love the idea of having a Principal 2nd and Principal 3rd. They say "give them an inch and they'll take a mile" - give the good players some responsibility and a titled position, and treat them with respect and let them manage their sub-sections, and they'll give it their all I'm sure of it.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-07-24 19:43
When you're the best player in a section, you are in a unique position to recognize excellent playing when you hear it. Taking the time to acknowledge excellence encourages even more excellence. When it's time to offer a constructive suggestion to correct a fault, imagine how much easier it will be when you've become known for pointing out virtues and not just flaws.
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Author: ClarinetRobt
Date: 2015-07-24 21:03
This is all great advise...
I've always tried deflecting advise I'm giving off myself. Try the "I saw a guy do it like this" or "A clarinet teacher taught this and it's so much easier". Eg, my personal pet peeve is trilling High C using the G#/Ab key. It's always flat. Show them the RH, second top key trill option (alternate throat Bb)...much better intonation. I sell the fingering by blaming the flutes for always being beyond sharp and it's a hopeless cause to even fight with them. Maybe you'll get a chuckle and your friends will have a personal "Ah, ha" moment, realizing it's just better. Always get a band director to back you...might give you some street cred. Always reinforce with positiveness. "Guys that so much better...I think the director just smiled at us!"
I also do a lot of "this isn't sounding good...Do you guys have any suggestions to make it better?" Again, might lead down a path of self discovery for the section and for you.
~Robt L Schwebel
Mthpc: Behn Vintage
Lig: Ishimori, Behn Delrin
Reed: Legere French Cut 3.75/4, Behn Brio 4
Horns: Uebel Superior (Bb,A), Ridenour Lyrique, Buffet R13 (Eb)
Post Edited (2015-07-24 21:13)
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Author: GeorgeL ★2017
Date: 2015-07-25 02:29
Remember that in a band, the conductor has the ultimate authority, and that the authority of every section leader has to come from the conductor. Your section members will have to listen to you only if the you have the backing of your conductor.
Direct your question to your conductor (a teacher, I assume) and follow his or her advice. Start slowly, making suggestions, not demands. Once you get in any job you will learn that being the best worker is not a guarantee that someone will be a good manager. People skills are also important, and those you will have to learn with experience.
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2015-07-25 02:52
All of the above. I was going to say that my number one piece of advice is to lead with the positive. Second piece of advice was to lead by example. Both of these have already been mentioned!
Other than that, I'd also volunteer to play the "less-desirable" parts. Just because you're "the best" it doesn't mean you MUST be first chair on every piece! (Of course, get your band director's approval for this; if s/he is someone who doesn't assign the parts/seats, you'll have more flexibility.)
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Author: johng ★2017
Date: 2015-07-25 03:11
Good advices. This situation is very common in WOW (the world of work) where a younger, but talented/highly educated/ambitious person is made supervisor of a group of older workers who often resent being told what to do by someone they consider to be less qualified. My mother in law often talked about all the higher level bank managers (men, of course) she personally trained while remaining a teller herself.
Google this: advice for young supervisors.
The main thing is that you will EARN the right to lead. It just is not handed to you. You are a lucky person to have this experience early, so learn from it because you will experience it again and again in whatever career you chose.....sometimes it will even be on the receiving end of being supervised by a younger person!
John Gibson, Founder of JB Linear Music, www.music4woodwinds.com
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Author: as9934
Date: 2015-07-25 05:46
Some advice from clarinet legend Ricardo Morales for you; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2zayflFV-8
I had a very similar situation to yours. Our section leader (also named Emily!) was the best clarinetist we had by her sophomore year. She had a great teacher and an amazing Buffet R13. She consistently made all-district and all-state bands and won numerous awards. She will be going on to study clarinet performance at Florida State. I never had a problem playing under her, because she was laid back , but was ALWAYS willing to help you on a piece you were working on. In fact she was the one who gave me my copy of the Mozart Clarinet Concerto to work on (which sounds much better btw so thank you all for your advice). Make yourself available to those who want to learn and they will come. Play cool music. Just be generally chill.
Now I play first or second chair in my band and play all sorts of different parts. Not going to lie, A lot of time the second a third parts suck (it is high school music after all). But I play them to the best of my ability and have some fun with them too. And when I do get to step up to principal, I relish the opportunity and play some kick ass music.
Try your best with the people who really can't play (there will be some). It's all you can do and hopefully your good practice habits and work ethic will rub off on them. Try and give them really challenging things to play and do, whether that's what your playing in band class or what your playing at home. They will get so much better and you will be gratified by their improvement.
Best of luck on your section.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Wind Ensemble
Buffet E11 clarinet , Vandoren Masters CL6 13 series mouthpiece w/ Pewter M/O Ligature, Vandoren V12 3.5
Yamaha 200ad clarinet, Vandoren B45 mouthpiece, Rovner ligature
Post Edited (2015-07-25 05:59)
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