 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarigirl
Date: 2003-11-20 22:48
I made second chair in all county! I know most of you people have made first chair or something, but you have no clue how much this means to me. I made twelfth chair last year and I knew the fourth chair kid, and I sat next to him, and I remember he kept turning around and bragging to me that he was above me, etc. This year, I'm 2nd chair and he's third. Eat my dust, boy. I missed being first chair by five-tenths of a point, because the first chair girl had a better tone than me. I'm okay with second chair, and I still have respect for the first chair girl. So first chair girl, whoever you are, I wish you the best.
This is probably a waste of BBoard space,
Nao
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Author: Avie
Date: 2003-11-20 23:09
I think that Mark, GBK, and everyone would welcome any inspiring experiences on this great BB. Dont stop now. Happy Holidays everyone and dont forget to play a few Christmas carols on your Clarinet.
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Author: ned
Date: 2003-11-21 01:53
"and I remember he kept turning around and bragging to me that he was above me, etc. This year, I'm 2nd chair and he's third."
Seems to be pretty juvenile sort of behaviour really! How old are you people?
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2003-11-21 03:45
John Kelly-FYI, in America a "county band" is usually some sort of high school (age 14-17) type of "all-star" band. Nao seems to be in Florida, so I'd wager my stab is correct. In my teaching, I see kids get really competitive about chair placement around 8th grade and it kinda leaves 'em around 11th or so. This all depends on the kid, of course...YMMV.
Katrina
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-11-21 04:38
John Kelly - couldn't agree more, and I hope we slaughter the English on Saturday night because I work with a bucket full of poms and couldn't stand it on Monday if we'd lost ... and actually, I don't give a tincker's cuss about Rugby
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Author: Alyra
Date: 2003-11-21 08:00
This chair business eludes me.
We didn't have this 'first chair second chair' etc. no matter where I played (not that I played in any fantastic super duper bands, but we did play at parliament house and other functions)..
To me, I think it's juvenile...but congrats anyway
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2003-11-21 09:43
All these chairs confuse me too.
Does "first chair" mean solo clarinet? Or does it just mean the best player on whichever part? If it's the latter, is it better to be second chair first clarinet or first chair second clarinet?
How many tenths of a point between second chair first Eb clarinet and first assistant principle (principal?) second alto clarinet (doubling Db piccolo)?
I'm afraid this rather reminds me of listening to an early-music band playing to a slightly drunken audience many years ago. The bandleader was giving a detailed introduction to next piece, until a member of the audience shouted out "Just shut up and play the *deleted* music". So they did.
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: n_hanson12
Date: 2003-11-21 11:56
Clarigirl,
Congrats!! I know how excited you are. I made 3rd chair in my district festival and I am going to be accepted at our All State conference in January (IL) I can hardly believe it. . .
~Nicki
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Author: justwannaplay
Date: 2003-11-21 12:29
Congratulations Nao — I'm sure you worked hard to get there and it showed to the judges. Now you can continue concentrating on the music and enjoy.
As an American living in England, I'd like to add my 2cents/p. and say, yes things can get competitive and things are not always fair (why was the younger boy with less playing ability first clarinet while I and others who had more experience second? Because his mommy and daddy arranged private lessons with our music teacher/conductor). However, this also motivates you and helps you to succeed, as Nao has demonstrated.
When my younger sister played clarinet in her band there was no assigned seating, so she recently told me it was a hassle to work out where you were going to sit, with whom, etc.. This kind of situation seems to add stress to youngsters as well.
I don't believe that things are less competitive in the UK or Australia, etc. It just that in the States it is more up front, which is perhaps a lot healthier in the long run. As Katrina says, the competitiveness pans out around age 16 or so— most kids have gotten it out of their system.
I would need convincing if someone told me professional musicians were not competitive.
Elizabeth
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2003-11-21 14:51
Not to put a damper on our younger BB members here, but let's put things in perspective --- here's a little story for you: When I was in high school in Maryland (playing bass clarinet) I was first chair everything, including All-State band and the tri-state American Youth Performs band. Wonderful, eh? At the same time, a fellow the same age as myself who originally came from Maryland (although I think he spent his high school years in California), named John Bruce Yeh, was also playing the bass clarinet, although he wasn't first chair in any of the bands I played in. As is turned out, he became the bass clarinetist of the Chicago Symphony (at age 16, I believe!) and I became...... an engineer who plays part-time in community ensembles. So, be proud of your accomplishments, for sure, but keep in mind that it's just a start --- you've got a LONG way to go to make it into the big leagues.
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2003-11-21 15:33
Whatever floats your boat. Sometimes a little competiveness can be good.
The college wind symphony that I play in has auditions every semester. We have eveyone from high schoolers to fogies like me in the group.
Each semester the clarinet instructor from the college listens to each of us sight read and play scales, and then assigns numerical ratings. If he deems that players are about equal in ability he gives them the same number (2a, 2b, 2c, etc,) . I must admit that even at my advanced age (going on 60), I feel a certain satisfaction seeing myself move up in the ratings from semester to semester. It gives me incentive to practice a little more than I might otherwise.
I truly enjoy playing, and am sure I would keep playing even if I ranked dead last each time (if they would let me), but I feel a certain amount of pride as a self taught retread (quit band in junior high), when I place ahead of a "kid" who has his "all state" stickers on his clarinet case.
Just about everything I know about clarinetting has come from this website.
Thanks and keep up the good work.
John
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Author: clarigirl
Date: 2003-11-21 20:24
Hey! It's not like I'm going to shoot the guy who was rude to me in 3rd chair! I don't want to be the type of person he was to me! I'm not even going to say anything like that too him! It's just that I was, and still am, in quite a bit of shock! Jumping from 12th to 2nd chair feels like something that I only dream about so it does indeed feel weird. Also, I'm still in the 8th grade so maybe that's why I'm acting so "immature". Okay?
J. Kelly–I just said that I'm second chair and he's third this year because this all seems so ironic. The girl who was sitting behind him last year sits right next to him now. I just said that for a tint of irony...
I made it in last year at twelth chair just to have the experience, because the only band I had played in up to that point was the regular band at school. It was a new thing for me. Last year, I decided I was going to push myself and challenge myself to get into the front row (first through eighth chairs). I seriously didn't think I was going to make it in at all, let alone in the first row. I don't care if I'm first chair or twentieth chair, I was just proud of myself for my improvement!
-Nao
P.S. I'm sorry if I got too mad in this reply. After reading all this, I don't feel so proud anymore...
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Author: Jim
Date: 2003-11-21 21:35
Clarigirl wrote:
>P.S. After reading all this, I don't feel so proud anymore...
Why not? You just keep being proud. You deserve it. Congratulations on your accomplishment.
Heck, I'm 57 years old and pat myself on the back for even being able to play the clarinet. I think sometimes it is good to toot your horn in public.
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2003-11-21 22:25
Exactly, Jim...
I was going to post a whole thing about chair seatings and all for the non-American readers, but my kitten unplugged the computer mid-way through.
At any rate, Clarigirl, go for it! You deserve to feel proud. Really. Take it from a clarinet teacher who has three students in the same grade at the same school. When each of them makes an improvement, it actually spurs the others on to get better themselves. A little competition isn't a bad thing. Y'all just gotta watch that it doesn't become mean-spirited and that you don't bad-mouth anyone else in your section...and I don't really think you had done that originally, Clarigirl...
Best,
Katrina
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Author: clarinetwife
Date: 2003-11-22 01:38
I find it interesting that David S and Katrina have nailed the two sides of the coin here about young players and competition. Both points are well worth noting. That is what makes this BB so cool ![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif)
Good work Clarigirl. Have fun!
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Author: clarigirl
Date: 2003-11-22 15:37
Thank you everyone. I just hope I don't make a fool out of myself when we actually rehearse, which isn't until March so I'm safe for now. :-)
-Nao
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Author: GilliganGirl
Date: 2003-11-23 04:24
Congrats!! I know exactly how you feel!! I was 4th chair, third section in Arizona all state band when I was a sophomore. Last year (as a junior) I was first chair in the band. I was terrified too. But, it all works out. Just practice your music. There is a reason you were placed 2nd chair, right?
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-11-23 04:52
What surpises me is how these people can improve so much in one year. To make such a leap. Makes me wonder what I could do if I managed to dedicate en entire year to practicing . . . one day I'll have the time to be more serious, but for now I'll enjoy my hobby, be non-competative and just relax as I try to accomplish other things.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Tux
Date: 2003-11-23 05:30
Good job clarigirl
I can't try out this year because I'm not in band anymore and my director won't sponsor me. Fun times..
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-11-23 09:04
I wonder how much this competitive behaviour benefits the musical world. What is often forgotten is that second players are as essential as first players, if everybody is aiming at "first chair" then those not selected are going to be trying hard to outdo the first chair. I am wondering then what the overall sound of the section, and in fact band, would be. There must eventually be a certain amount of natural selection. It should be obvious to the musical director who is doing what, and how well. I work regularly in professional sections, mostly sax, with one guy who is a great player. We both improvise on clarinet, alto and tenor, he plays the baritone and I play bassoon. The status quo is that I play 1st he plays 2nd. We both play jazz but I have a lot more experience at interpretation and am a better reader, this does not diminish his abilities, especially in the soloing area. We have just learnt to complement each other over the years. What's more, the money is generally the same for each chair and I flick over solos to him and vice versa. Don't forget the old adage "there is no 'I' in team".
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