 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: wjk
Date: 2002-06-26 17:07
Benny Goodman had a tune called "Clarinetitis." Do you recognize the symptoms of this condition--- obsessive/compulsive traits, the need to try out numerous items to find the "perfect" one, competitive/ passive-aggressive tendencies, and the never-ending search for perfection. Why do people find it so hard to understand us?
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Author: Jean
Date: 2002-06-26 23:10
I consider myself to be a big old clarinet nerd. Heck, I am even going to music camp and I am 43 years old. And I own my own bass clarinet....what is the joke about owning one's own alto clarinet?
No OCD here...just a whole lot of genius IQ....4.0 GPA nerdiness.
Yep, that's me.
Jean
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Author: William
Date: 2002-06-27 00:33
"just a whole lot of genius IQ...."
I always thought that if i were really intelligent, I would have picked some instrument that did not use reeds, was not subject ot climatic damages and one that I could just throw in a bag after the gig with out need of swabbing, dismantling, wiping each piece and storing in a case--ten times as heavy as it is--for protection and carrage of might-be-needed extra "essentials." Also, one that I wouldn't have to own three of (more reeds, cases, essentals, etc) to belong to my local symphony orchestra and also own extra expensive saxophones because "we are all expected to double--and buy, own maintain and drag them to each pit and jazz gig.
Why wasn't I smart enough at that first band parent/beginner meeting in fourth grade to pick what my Dad wanted me to play--the trumpet???????
Not quite MENSA material, I guess, because after all that I have learned, I still continue to play clarinets and saxes. "Stupid is as stupid does," Forest Gump's Mom. And I really like (love) what I "does."
Sign me: "Too dumb to come in out of the rain" (my wife of 27 yrs)
(but I do sometimes envy those brass players who are first out the door after the gig)
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Author: Jean
Date: 2002-06-27 03:13
We were poor and had a clarinet in the closet. I wanted to play the bassoon. Talk about upkeep and price of reeds.
And how about those musical theatre gigs....I think the most instruments I ever played for one show is FIVE. By the time I was out of there I needed to turn around and come back for the next rehearsal.
Jean
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Author: nzdonald
Date: 2002-06-27 11:35
i toured with a pair of clarinets, a bass clarinet, alto saxohpone and tenor saxophone plus a music stand, bag of music a stands for all the instruments..... this was the biggest pain in the arse ever, honestly as it took half an hour to pack every thing up and three trips backwards and forwards from the bus to carry all the stuff. on the bus, off the bus, on the bus etc... i was always the last person on and on one occaision even had to sit in the isle as there were no seats left.
on the other hand. i love doubling- except that i have to always borrow other peoples instruments as i can't afford to own a bass clarinet etc at least i have all my own mouthpieces.
donald
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-06-27 14:20
wjk...My experience has been that clarinetists, by and large, are a very intelligent group, respectful, fairly competitive among each other (far less that flutists are) albeit quite insecure about their tone and technique.
Thus the "grass must be greener on the other side" mentality when it comes to thinking that the next mouthpiece, ligature, brand of reed, or exercise book will be the final answer.
Not going to happen...GBK
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-06-28 13:52
Why should clarinet players be any different than any other musicians....
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Author: RA
Date: 2002-06-29 00:49
Even though I may have only been play four and one half years, I am somewhat advanced in my studies and even as a beginning student was always trying to find pieces harder than my ability level to improve upon my musicianship. AS this question was brought up "why should clarinet players be any different than any other musicians..." well, every musician differs with each instrument. My sister is a harpist. It all depends on the person I believe and their ...well, how much they want it. How badly. Persay like playing in a symphony at my age. The age of 20. Or maybe just a little clarinet quartet which is WAY more realistic in my experience and or case. How we differ is by whom we are and what possessed us to play this instrument. What possessed/attracted each musician to strings/brass/percussion and woodwinds? Why is it that a caged bird sings and pigs can't fly? Well, enough of my nonsense. Be back for more.
RA
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