 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2003-02-18 04:11
Ooohhh... Sorry, I am hogging the bulletin board.
Listen to this, my interesting story of my current college life:
I was auditioning with my band director for seating. I usually play bass clarinet, so he asked if I would like to play bass or soprano (Bb) clarinet. I told him whichever he needed, as long as I got to play bass in something (which I am playing in the higher band now). He said it wasn't good for me to be switching around to different clarinets. I think that is bullcrap.
Also, he told me to play my clarinet like I play bass clarinet. He was like "Blow through that thing like you do the bass clarinet, and the embouchure shouldn't be so tight. They are basically the same instrument." *Screeeech* Yeah... he has no idea what he is talking about. Playing the two are completely different. We had a masterclass with Harry Sparnay last year, and those of you who know of him, know that he is a world reknown bass clarinetist. (His music is a big crazy for my taste, but he had some awesome tips.) He said that bass clarinet is completely different from soprano. The physics are completely different, the embouchure, and just the whole approach is different; it is almost it's own species, class, genus, whatever....
I agree with Mr Sparnay, and my band director is a twit.
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2003-02-18 04:16
Welcome to the "Why'd yah give me a C minus, huh?" An attitude jack might be helpful. For all you know your band director is a sneezy reader.
Bob A
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Author: Jerry
Date: 2003-02-18 12:28
Re: the B flat soprano: It is a good idea to "blow through that thing - with an embrouchure not so tight." But it does take a lot of physical, mental, and often, subconscious adjustments over time to get the hang of it. Translation: A lot of practice doing that!
Jerry
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-02-18 12:42
You may want to try blowing some smoke, while you're at it.
Coddling the director's ego won't hurt.
Butt heads, and the 'twit' will have your guts for garters.
Reputation is one of the things developed in music schools.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-02-18 15:30
My son has a good attitude (better than mine!) about theis kind of thing. He's had different directors and conductors, masterclasses by a lot of different people, different standmates, and various teachers over the last 10 or so years, and is about to graduate from a major conservatory.
I've never heard him say a bad thing about any of them when I've asked, and has always said that he's learned something from each one of them.
That's wiser than I've <b>ever</b> been ...
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Author: Wes
Date: 2003-02-18 15:59
There are many things in common among the clarinet family and these should be appreciated. The playing is remarkably similar. After many years of playing all sizes of clarinets, I think that it is especially important to support the sound with proper air pressure. This minimizes the differences between them and makes it easy to switch between them. Good luck!!
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2003-02-18 18:33
Ok, maybe you misunderstood me. Many other students that go to my school also do not like or agree with this band director. He is mostly a marching band director anyway, and seemingly cares less about his concert band. He is also a tuba player.
I obviously know that the embouchure and air pressure are very different on both instruments, but the point is that he thinks that the bass clarinet and the soprano are the same when they are not. Mr Sparnay also pointed out how many elementary/middle schools mistakeningly put their worst players on bass, not knowing that it should be a person that can best handle the instrument. He mentions that you should almost put a first chair player on it if you want a good player.
I did not dispute the band director's lack in clarinet knowledge. Many times he has given incorrect information and tried screwing me out of many oppertunities in other cases. (He lies a lot to make himself look better) Don't believe me? Ask half the school of music and its faculty.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-02-18 19:04
If you don't like his clarinet "knowledge" (or lack of) - ignore it.
It's only a college <i>band</i>.
There are much bigger things in life. Move on...GBK
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2003-02-18 20:42
With your attitude I suggest one change : TRANSFER!
Bob A
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2003-02-18 21:20
LOL! Did I mention he was only the assistant band director. The head band director is ok, some of the time.
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Author: Jean
Date: 2003-02-18 21:34
Sadly most of us have had band directors that we don't agree or get along with. Transfer is a viable option. As a bass clarinetist I can tell you many people (including band directors) don't take us seriously as musicians. I agree the guy sounds like a real dink. Been there too many times. If it is that bad get out and fine someone who cares about you. If you would like to write me outside this group please do so....I know a school that would love to have a good bass clarinetist.
Jean
BTW....any band director who values marching band over concert band should be spanked.
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Author: Julia
Date: 2003-02-18 21:34
contragirl---why is this so funny to you...can't you just learn to work with people, regardless of their faults, weaknesses, or whatever else? There's always going to be professors that you like and those that you don't, but you should at least have some level of respect. I mean you post here obviously for some reason, not sure what it is, but you just don't seem to care and have--in my opinion--a very immature attitude about the whole thing.
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Author: Dieter
Date: 2003-02-18 21:55
Two words always come to mind when conductors say things which they have no business saying.
"Bite Me"Ÿ
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2003-02-18 23:19
I think I have a mature attitude about this. I obviously am venting my frustrations, and who would understand me better than a bunch of clarinet people? Well, thanks Julia, for pointing out that not all clarinetists are there for their sisters/brothers.
I respect people that have gained my respect, and I respect him s a director. He knows what he is talking about musically. I am just saying he hardly knows anything about clarinetland and what is involved. Him and I actually have an open and honest relationship. And I am respectful about what I say to him. My personal opinion of him as a person, however, is not too great.
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Author: Henry
Date: 2003-02-18 23:46
Contragirl says: "Well, thanks Julia, for pointing out that not all clarinetists are there for their sisters/brothers."
Well, I happen to agree with Julia. Being a fellow clarinetist does not entitle you at all to unconditional support. As GBK says: "There are much bigger things in life. Move on..." He is so right!! As you grow up, you'll hopefully mellow and see these matters as being totally trivial. You remind me of Jaymz, although your English is admittedly a lot better!!
Henry
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2003-02-18 23:53
OH? "(He lies a lot to make himself look better) Don't believe me? Ask half the school of music and its faculty."
You might also include a course on libel laws--you are going to need it sooner or later.
Bob A
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Author: Julia
Date: 2003-02-19 00:08
i'm not going to say much because other people have already said it, but Henry is right--what makes you think that because I play the same instrument as you I'm going to support your rudeness? Maybe you do have a mature attitude about it, but that's not what you've shown us:
"I think that is bullcrap" (could be said more respectifully, no?)
"My band director is a twit"
"(He lies a lot to make himself look better). Don't believe me? Ask half the school of music and its faculty."
"lol. Did I mention he was only the assistant band director?"
Best of luck in your college endeavors......
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Author: chuck
Date: 2003-02-19 00:53
The only evidence of maturity I see here is in the respondents' views . . . and your English doesn't get an A either. Chuck
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-02-19 02:09
chuck wrote:
>
> and your English doesn't get an A
> either. Chuck
Chuck, we're not here to criticize spelling, grammar, or usage. Please refrain from doing so.
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Author: Clarence
Date: 2003-02-19 03:47
"My band director is a twit"
While Contragirl's speak is a bit colorfull, I don't see any reason to believe that she doesn't know what she is talking about.
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Author: Julia
Date: 2003-02-19 04:10
Clarence,
it's not an issue of whether she knows what she is talking about--her competence has not been questioned. Rather, it is her approach and level of maturity that has been questioned.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2003-02-19 06:22
Periodically in the music business, as in any other, we need to brush up on our mind-reading skills. Not everyone is equally adept at explaining what they want or how to achieve it. We often need to read between the lines, relax, and remember... Always
The director may not always be right, but he or she is always the director Always.
The players' job, my job, your job, our job, is to always play the best we can to make us - ALL OF US - look good and sound good.
Always.
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2003-02-19 09:51
Evil evil people.
Thank you for the ones that support me.
Otherwise, you are all immature for picking on a "kid". My mommy doesn't even insult me like you do.
And I recieved a B+ in English, I type suprisingly better than other people my age.
Maybe one day I will grow up to be a better person than you have shown me.
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Author: Hank
Date: 2003-02-19 11:44
Contragirl,
As far as picking on a "kid", you started the string and must now deal with what others say in response to your comments.
HRL
OBTW, does Contragirl refer to the instrument you play or to something else?
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-02-19 12:08
Looking for support from clarinet players is like looking for Perrier at a Tuscaloosa kegger...
Most of the folks posting (me excepted) are experienced players and may have some valuable notions about making music in the company of other people.
If the only opinions you consider valid are those in complete agreement with yours, expect more frustration.
There are smart people out there that consider what we do idiotic.
It's the ability to maintain a civil approach when idiots cross our path that leads to harmony in our lives (if not the bandstand).
Then again, there's always the 200 cats in a trailer option.
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Author: William
Date: 2003-02-19 15:49
As an undergraduate music major, I once told a music professor (tactfully within the confines of his office) after receiving a C- on the final examine, that his semester final was "poorly written and stupid" and that I knew more about the text used in his course than he did (vocal techniques, "The Emmergent Voice", K. Westerman). He threw me out of his office, but later (after "further consideration of my earnestness") reconsidered, and I got an "A" for the semester.
Tell him (privately and to his face) what your concerns are, relentlessly with confidence, but also with tactful respect for his teaching position and status as a fellow humane being. The use of "mature" language always helps. Calling him a "twit" to his face is probably not a good tactic for improved student-teacher relations, but he would probably agree that you know more about clarinet than he--as a tubist--does. If you happened to watch Dr. Phil "get back" at David Letterman last evening, perhaps you can better understand what I am talking about. At the very least, you could both agree to disagree, but share greater understanding of each others viewpoints. Communication is better than name calling and mudslinging every time. You have the spirit, now develop the poise and character neccessary to "be all that you can be."
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Author: Wayne Thompson
Date: 2003-02-19 16:49
Beware Contragirl, and everyone, of the phenomenon of web conversations exploding into more emotion than they deserve. In face to face talking we can hear words like 'twit' and get a sense from body language, style, age, and personality whether it was an inappropriate word. Here, words stand by themselves, and often sound more dramatic than they were intended.
I have to say I laughed out loud when you called us all 'evil, evil, people'. I hope you were smiling just a little as you typed it.
WT
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2003-02-19 19:29
"I think I have a mature attitude about this. I obviously am venting my frustrations..." Can a person rant without being insulted for their feelings?
"I respect him s a director. Him and I actually have an open and honest relationship. And I am respectful about what I say to him. My personal opinion of him as a person, however, is not too great."
Sometimes I don't think people read my full posts. There have been occassions that I have talked to him face to face about problems I have had. I'm not some stupid kid that goes in there and calls him names. I actually talk to him, he listens, he talks to me, I listen. Why would anyone go and call someone a twit to their face? Nah, I'm not idiotic, nor immature.
Wayne: I always expect drama when I post something. I did smile when I wrote it. And to clear it up, not all of you are evil, just the mean ones. haha
Hank: Contralto, mostly. But most ppl take it as nintendo's Contra... or my desire to be against everything, which isn't really true about my nature.
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Author: Wayne Thompson
Date: 2003-02-19 19:45
OK, I agree. Mean clarinetists are evil. Contragirl, I enjoy a sort of dancing called Contradancing. You should look into it. It would add another dimension to your name. What it is, is another thread on an entirely different List (though the percentage of woodwind players found doing it is many times more than that of the general public).
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Author: Julia
Date: 2003-02-19 20:05
Ok contra.
Your maturity is still questionable--at least in what you choose to write.
Best of luck with your future...
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Author: Hank
Date: 2003-02-19 20:28
Contragirl,
You said "I always expect drama when I post something." When I post to this BB, I desire to make a statement, answer a question or wish to offer an opinion. I believe that I am among the norm with these reasons.
Why would you think that those that read this BB are seeking a dramatic event or sitiation? I'll not answer anymore of your posts on this BB since I don't seek to be involved in any sort of subtrefuge.
SYL
HRL
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2003-02-20 17:28
Nah... I remember a past post that the person pointed out the fact that there are people on this BB that like to, basically, bash/insult/attack the postee. I see this a lot over the years here.
Hank: "Boycotting" my posts doesn't mean much. I have other posts that have purposes other than "seeking a dramatic event." Mouthpiece questions don't seem to stir up as many problems.
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