 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: n_hanson12
Date: 2003-04-30 19:42
Hey all.
I will soon be a junior in highschool and I am in love with my clarinet! It is my greatest passion.
I am starting to think about what I will do when I graduate. I would love to go into music, but I don't know what opportunities/fields are out there for me. I also would like to know what I should be doing in order to be certain that I will be able to make my dreams a reality.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
~Nicki
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Author: DAVE
Date: 2003-05-01 00:27
This is a tricky subject becasue I don't know you, but here are some thoughts. Using the clarinet to make a decent living can be done but it is not easy. As far as opportunities, there are few. Teaching is an option as well as performing. I once read that if you are not one of the top players in your state while in high school then forget it as a performer. I don't entirely agree, but this can serve as a clue to just how hard this all can be.
Many young players who have a lot of passion for music find it difficult when they reach college. A taste of reality hits and things become a whole lot more serious. For me music was everything and playing the clarinet professionally was my biggest goal. When I got to college, music turned from being the greatest fun in my life to the hardest thing ever. I went for some time even hating the clarinet. My problem was that I just wasn't good at anything else and happened to be very good in music. I think that is one of the things that kept me going.
I can only half-heartedly recommend this profession, but if you must then here are some things you must do now. Listen to recordings and familiarize yourself with the standard literature-not just clarinet pieces-whole symphonies, etc. Get good equipment and play more Baermann than you want to. Study with the best teacher in your area. Play in masterclasses if you can get to them.
DAVE
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Author: Avie
Date: 2003-05-01 00:40
Congradulations Dave. Thats the best advise Ive seen on this BB!!
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Author: Jim E.
Date: 2003-05-01 04:32
Add to Dave's advice...
Sing in a school or church choir if possible (you'll get "closer" to the music and learn to concentrate on pitch and a church choir is great weekly sight reading practice.)
Take theory in high school if it is offered (beginning college theory classes seem assume that the students already have a fair amount of knowledge. and clarinetists do not have much chance to learn harmony.)
Take piano lessons if possible (see harmony above, and many college programs require up to 4 semesters of piano class.)
Audition for your regional or all state bands/ orchestra to become accustomed to auditioning.
Look at potential colleges junior year, by senior year you will need to be preparing for the audition process.
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-05-01 05:19
One thing not mentioned yet is exemplified by this old story, first heard on the streets of New YorK:
"How can I get to Carnegie Hall?"
"Practice, man, practice."
If you really want a musical carreer, that is the one element of your life which must be present. Practice, more practice, and that must be followed by lots of practice. And you need a teacher who can adequately monitor your improvement, unless you can make such determinations yourself. It isn't impossible, buit it certainly isn't easy. A teacher can also start you in the right direction with exercise and method books. All are good, some are better, some may be suited better for you in ways only a good teacher could recognize.
I am sometimes amazed by those who say they want nothing more than to play the Clarinet, yet they don't want to practice enough to become "really good." Uhh, practicing *is* playing. Do it a lot.
Other suggestions above are great: music theory, piano, singing, and other musical experiences. Playing a violin or similar stringed instrument -- or a trombone -- also will help your development of pitch control.
Best of luck to you. And do play every spare moment you have. If you really love the Clarinet, that should be a joy for you.
And did I mention, practice?
Regards,
John
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Author: n_hanson12
Date: 2003-05-01 12:45
Thank you to everyone who has already given advice. (You know I could always use more)
I realize that I didn't fully justify what I am about earlier, so I will do it now.
I don't have as many opportunities to play as I would like, but this is what I have:
I auditioned for Illinois' All District Band last fall and got in. I actually had a decent seat, all things considered.
I plan on auditioning again this fall and, as a junior, I have an opportunity to be selected for All-State. That is one of my short-term goals.
I do have a private teacher, unfortunatly, the clarinet is not his primary instrument. He does however, push me to strive for excellence and he provides me with materials that would not otherwise be readily available to me. (Method Books, literature, etc.)
I played in two college highschool honor bands last year. (One for Millikin University and one for Bradley University) I know that I will be nominated for them again next year. If I get in or not will remain to be seen.
As far as Master Classes, that will not be a possibility as I go to a highschool of about 225 people. In fact, our highschool band only has 19 people in it.
Music theory may be a possibility my senior year, but I am still not for sure on that one.
And, to answer your question, John, yes I practice. My normal schedule allows for about 2 hours per day, on average. Not being a real morning person, I have been able to push myself out of bed an hour earlier every school day since last September. I go into school to practice by myself for that hour. I haven't missed a day yet!
I almost forgot, I also played in the pit orchestra for our school madrigals and also for the musical.
So, now that you know a little bit more about me, maybe it will help.
Thank you everyone!
~Nicki
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Author: clarinetwife
Date: 2003-05-01 13:40
Hi, Nicki! I think you have gotten some good thoughts on preparing yourself if you decide to go for it. I definitely think that only YOU can decide what is right for you. Let me show you what I mean from my own experience.
In high school I was principal of my area's youth symphony for 2.5 years and principal in my state's all-state orchestra my senior year. The state is Idaho, so the competition was not what you face in Illinois. My teacher was wonderful, a Julliard man, former military clarinetist, and in the process of retiring from our local professional orchestra. He pushed me in my clarinet playing but did not push me to major in music or not. I finally decided that I have the fire in my gut for playing the clarinet, but maybe I didn't have the fire in my gut to go the the conservatory or wherever and try to make a living playing the clarinet.
So that's what it comes down to, fire. You have a decision to make, and the best way to keep your options open is to become the best clarinetist you can be. You will have that no matter what career you choose.
Peace!
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