 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Sang1Lee
Date: 2009-05-06 02:20
so, i was sort of pulled into doing a talent show-kind of a thing
and, i was wondering, what song would be played well and effectively on the clarinet and what song would be recognized by people(non-classical audience)
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Author: Brenda ★2017
Date: 2009-05-06 03:00
It would help to know what level you are.... what pieces are you playing now, and are you in lessons?
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Author: kdk
Date: 2009-05-06 17:03
You also don't say who will be in the audience (except that they aren't oriented toward classical music).
One approach. if the show is being done for other people your age, is to pick a song you like that you think will be familiar to the others and then search around for an arrangement. If you're planning to have a piano accompaniment, then look for an arrangement for clarinet or trumpet or tenor sax (they are also B-flat instruments, so the parts will work for clarinet with the piano) solo with piano accompaniment. If you're playing by yourself, it doesn't much matter what instrument or voice the solo is written out for as long as it fits within your range of notes. Keep in mind that a clarinet will probably sound better playing a real melody than it will on a rock or pop tune that stays within a limited range and relies on the words to make it popular or interesting.
Another direction you can go is to look for arrangements (often they're collected together in solo albums) of Broadway melodies or movie or TV theme songs. Most music stores stock these.
Or, you can play your favorite classical piece (shortened if necessary because of a time limit) and hope they like it because you've played it well and they've rarely heard classical music in live performance.
Write back with more specifics, and other suggestions may follow.
Karl
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Author: Sang1Lee
Date: 2009-05-06 19:52
sorry for not being clear enough
this is for a high school 'talent show' for high school students, who i know are not interested/familiar with classical music
and i'm a student myself
to answer brenda's question.. i've been studying with tom martin, and i'll be going to umich to study with dan gilbert next year
what i'm asking is.. is there a song that i can play on the clarinet(like a rap wouldn't work..) and that is recognizable by non-classical audience (meaning, something from popular culture)
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2009-05-06 20:19
How'bout "Baby Elephant Walk"? (please resist the temptation to take the Pink Panther instead - that one's for saxes and has been played to death)
'nother one might be (Mary Hopkins') "Those were the days my friend".
Both are suited for pure solo (dunno, is it with accompaniment?), and work well on the clarinet. Not too difficult to learn, but difficult enough to play well.
--
Ben
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Author: D
Date: 2009-05-06 21:39
Unless you're really good at jazz or a non classical style, I would just stick to what you know. Play something quite short and easy to understand. TV and movie themes (Lord of the Rings etc - border line classical) are good places to look and are often available in really easy versions with easy piano parts if that is a consideration. The more complicated the solo, generally the more complicated the piano.
Theme from the Victorian Kitchen Garden by Paul Reade and recorded by Emma Johnson is lovely. Sounds much harder than it is and is enjoyable to play as it swoops around a fair bit. Sheet music is available in the UK for under £10.00, I presume you can get hold of it in the US too.
Ragtime comes across quite well on the clarinet. How about something like Scott Joplin's Maple Leaf Rag?
If you do something they know such as Nessun Dorma or Hedwig's Theme from Harry Potter, you have to do it really really well. Something less known will let you make a few small slips without it being noticed by most. Whatever you pick, play it with confidence and you'll fool the majority. I got away with playing something at half speed at a concert once and was congratulated by everyone afterwards. Trick - 50% speed, 50% arrogance!
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Author: allencole
Date: 2009-05-09 04:03
Excellent advice! I've had more than one student develop a sudden interest in pop music a month or less before an anticipated performance.
Definitely go with what you know. In front of all your friends (and non-friends!) is no place to experiment.
One high schooler who I had encouraged to try playing along with a pop record, came into her lesson with a country song called "I Want To Check You for Ticks"...and yes, it's the euphemism you think it is. I told her that I didn't feel like we could really share that one.
Allen Cole
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