Author: Dave Spiegelthal
Date: 1999-11-23 15:04
In my own experience as a part-time musician for about 20 years, I'd say that it's essential (as well as musically rewarding) to play multiple instruments. Essential because, unless one is absolutely superb on his/her primary instrument, it is extremely difficult to obtain regular employment (paid or otherwise) on just one instrument. Musically rewarding because, playing additional instruments provides a player with the opportunity to use different muscles (or the same muscles in different ways), to experience other types of parts and styles of music, and even to sit in different places onstage in the orchestra or band. Although I started as a clarinetist/bass-clarinetist, I probably play as much saxophones these days as clarinets, and play some flute, and the sax and flute playing allow me (among other things) to be employed in a wedding/variety band, which in turn provides me with regular income and the opportunity to play different styles of music (e.g. pop, rock, modern jazz/fusion, big band) which I probably wouldn't be asked to play on clarinet. Whereas, if I had stayed specialized on the bass clarinet, I'd be lucky to get a gig (paid or more likely unpaid) even sporadically. And despite what some might think, playing additional instruments does not detract from one's proficiency on the main instrument, on the contrary, I'm convinced that it helps improve the skills on the main axe. Just my two cents' worth.......
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The Clarinet BBoard
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