 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Cindy
Date: 2002-07-17 06:21
I have a chance to go to France and England with and semi-decent orchestra. The only problem is, you have to be a full time member of the orchestra (no recruitments of wind players), and in order to get in you have to play a string instrument. I have never wished to play a string instrument in the least. Also, I have a really hard solo I am working on on clarinet, and I need to focus on that. My schedule is insane, and learning viola would take time out of that. And, the orchestra director doesn't respect the wind players all that much, and it gets on my nerves. What should I do? Should I suffer and learn viola to go on this amazing once in a lifetime trip, or not and imagine what I'm missing while they're gone?
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Author: ozgida
Date: 2002-07-17 09:14
Learning to play viola in tune would take you at least a year, and that's only if you're really talented (some people never manage to play fretless strings in tune, or it takes them many years). I always fight the temptation to learn a new instrument, so especially if music is your profession, you might enjoy it. But unless you have a year or two before you have to audition, it's pretty much hopeless (unless the viola is a "technicality" that you need to join and you wouldn't really be playing it).
I play both clarinet and violin, and the differences in playing them (both physical and mental) amazes me. I love the violin but find it much more difficult than clarinet (but I'm also fairly new at violin).
Good luck!
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Author: William
Date: 2002-07-17 14:42
Consider learning the bass--they are always needed in orchestras (and jazz groups) and intonation and technical issues are less critical than with the higher strings (viola and violin).
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-07-17 14:57
Cindy -
I think you've answered your own question. A once in a lifetime tour is worth some grinding to get to do. Go for it!
Viola is good. Bass is better. My wife (a piano major) took a String Methods class and was immediately drafted into her college orchestra on bass. She says it was one of her great times. She played the first note of every measure, tuned the bottom E string down to low C and became a virtuoso on the extra-low notes, and had the tuba player fall in love with her.
Besides, when you play a string instrument, you can talk while you're playing.
Seriously, even if the conductor has weird ideas, it's the worth it as price of going on this great tour. It's not as if you were doing something bad for you.
Keep us informed.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: A.C.
Date: 2002-07-17 15:41
Cindy,
Maybe you should take your own trip to Europe. Unless you have played a string instrument before and understand the technique exc. involved with playing it(from my experience it is alot harder to play a string instrument than a woodwind). It takes along time to learn the fundamentals(unless you are some kind of string prodigy). I actually quit the violin and viola inorder to devote my time to the clarinet and saxophone. Have you tried playing the viola yet? If not maybe you can rent one from a local music store and get a level one viola book(essential technique for strings or All for Strings(these are very good books to start with). If you would choose to play you will have to learn various positions(1st,2nd,3rd,4th,exc.) and vibrato(If this is a semi-professional orchestra they probably use it).
Hope this helps, ~A.C.~
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Author: Todd W.
Date: 2002-07-17 16:23
Cindy --
Let me list what I interpret as the pros and cons from your post.
Cons:
Only a semi-decent orchestra.
Have to learn a string instrument. (Time factor?)
You have "never wished to play a string instrument in the least."
Already working to learn a hard solo on clarinet.
Already have an "insane" schedule.
Director doesn't respect wind players.
Pros:
". . . amazing once in a lifetime trip . . ."
My question to you is what makes this trip so amazing and unique? Will the orchestra be going to places the ordinary tourist cannot (for example, playing in and staying at Buckingham palace)? Or do you just think you'll never have another chance to travel to Europe? If it's the former, then maybe it's worth it in spite of all the cons. If it's the latter, I see no reason why you can't make it a goal to go to Europe at a future time on your own terms--alone or with a friend or with another group or orchestra. (Maybe there is a reason, but it's not in your post.)
Finally, as an alternative, does the orchestra need a chaperone (for the players or their kids, if any are going) or a librarian (to keep track of the music, collecting and distributing it at each rehearsal and performance) or a "drill sergeant" (to get everybody up and ready on time and on to the planes, trains, and buses)? Or a general gofer or schlepper or any other assistant to the director?
It seems that whichever path you choose will be the "correct" one. Weigh your options, make your decision, and go forward with no regrets.
Good luck,
Todd W
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-07-18 02:57
As a "retired" professional viola player|clarinetist I say "just do it". I adore the viola and adore the clarinet - equally, but then again I was lucky - I was just as good with either.
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2002-07-18 11:36
I can attest to Diz's viola capabilities!
Stuff them by the sound of it. They are expecting too much for such a low salary.
If you want to travel do it under your own terms.
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Author: Jean
Date: 2002-07-20 03:12
I took a trip six years ago with a semi-decent orchestra and can honestly say the experience wasn't all that great. The schedule involved way too much travel time, I got food poisoning in Scotland, the accomadations at times really stunk, a number of the players were a pain in the butt...the list goes on and on. I will never do one of these tours again. Unless you are playing and staying in some great places I agree with the person who said go to Europe on your own.
These so called "once in a lifetime trips" have a way of coming up more than once in a lifetime.
Jean
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