 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: n_hanson12
Date: 2003-05-16 18:29
I have an unusual question to ask. I have generally been under the impression that you are either a "woodwind" or a "brass". At least, in my past situations, I have never seen peers anyway that switched from one to the other. In fact, when I requested to learn trumpet from my instructor a few months ago, he flat-out said no. When I asked him why, he said that a woodwind shouldn't try to ever play brass. He said that using a brass mouthpeice would be nearly impossible.
However, I ran across a 5th grade player in our elementary school this year that plays the bass clarinet, the trombone, and the french horn. He is doing well on all of them.
Is he an exception, or are there a lot of people that play both? Just curious! ![[grin]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie5.gif)
~Nicki
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-05-16 19:59
n_hanson12 said: "...When I asked him why, he said that a woodwind shouldn't try to ever play brass. He said that using a brass mouthpeice would be nearly impossible."
Tell your teacher to listen to some recordings by Benny Carter...GBK
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2003-05-16 20:33
Nicki -
This question has come up quite a few times. A search here on the word brass will find the discussions.
Everyone who's done both says there's absolutely no interference. The only thing that counts is keeping in practice on both instruments.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2003-05-16 22:16
Hi Nicki,
As Ken Shaw has suggested, there has been much discusison about this topica and as I recall, everyone was very positive on the benefits of changing to a brass either for marching band, for experience, or just for fun. During methods class in college, I developed a love and a pretty good embouchure for French Horn.
As a former HS band directors, almost all of the woodwinds learned to switch to a brass instrument for marching band and there were never any problems with woodwind embouchure damage or similar problems.
IMHO your instructor may be missing a good opportunity to have you experience another instrument. However, to "keep peace in the family", keep what I just told you, to yourself, OK.
HRL
Player of all single and double reeds, all brasses, and very few strings (where do you blow into those things) with no embouchure problems that I know of.
Post Edited (2003-05-17 12:36)
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Author: funkymunky
Date: 2003-05-16 22:34
I have been playing sax and clarinet for over 6 months. Guitar for 8 years and just starting on violin. The brass was quite easy to learn. I love my trombone for the sheer simplicity of it. No pads, reed knives, keys, or pistons. Trombone was easier to learn than the clarinet, but a little harder than the sax. I also mess around with my dads cornet. It is a bit harder to play with because of the microscopic mouthpiece it has compared to the trombones. Some day I may learn the notes for the brass. But I know I will never be really good playing so many instruments. So ill stick with my reeds.
People say not to play more than one instrument because you will not be as good at both, Than just spending all your time with one. But one instrument can be so boring.
And what other instrument can you seamlessly slide up and down the notes besides fretless strings.
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Author: Benni
Date: 2003-05-16 23:09
"And what other instrument can you seamlessly slide up and down the notes besides fretless strings."
Why, the t'bone, of course! 
Anyway, I know a guy who plays (brass) baritone and bari sax equally as well, and is quite good on both of them!
I also know a trumpet player that doubles on flute, and I've been told I don't sound awful on t'bone, although I don't own one and I'm not learning how to play or anything.
Still, I think it's quite possible to play both woodwinds and brass quite well, and I'll second GBK's comment about Benny Carter!
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-05-17 01:56
I also knew a person who was primarily trumpet and doubled on flute. It was amazing. In our HS he was unrivaled since freshman year on trumpet. Played excellently. And he was pretty much the unofficial "leader" of our jazz band with his skill. One day I walked into jazz band a little earlier and I heard a guitar playing some chords practicing, and there was Dave. Holding a silver flute in his hands and just wailing away. Best trumpet AND flute in the HS. And it was a total surprise.
As for the learning the brass comment. I don't think it'd be particularly hard. For one marching band season I played trombone. My instructor said to me, "Alexi. We need a stronger trombone section. And even though you've never played, somehow I know you can do it. Here it is, good luck." I ended up memorizing the positions I needed to play (never learned how to read the music, just watched the others practice and put my hands where theirs were and buzzed my lips till it sounded right) and ended up playing the first trombone part by the time marching band season started better than the section leader! (he was a bit of a dummy though . . . ). GL with your practice.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Pam H.
Date: 2003-05-17 02:26
I played both in my jr. high and high school days. I did clarinet or bass clarinet in concert band and trombone in marching and jazz band. I thought I was a pretty decent player of both at the time. No one ever told me back then that switching would cause any problems as some believe.
I think a person can play as many instruments as they choose to, as long as you have enough time to keep up with all the practicing!
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Author: Liesel
Date: 2003-05-17 05:00
I was prevented from learning brass in high school by band directors who said it would ruin my embouchure. Then, being a music education major, I did learn how to play the brass family in college, and it didn't affect my woodwind playing. I even mentioned it to my college clarinet teacher while I took brass class, and he said it was fine to practice my brass instruments. I thought trombone was especially fun!
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2003-05-17 11:43
Hi Nicki,
It would seem that you probably have a pretty good fix on "the from woodwinds to brass" question. But let me take a new tack.
Are there any physical things that might cause you to have a problem with a brass mouthpiece (unusal dental structure of the front teeth or very large lips - that would probably mean low brass for you)?
Just thought the question needed to be asked.
HRL
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Author: Benni
Date: 2003-05-17 13:54
It seems that many clarinetists who play brass play trombone . . . I know if I were to seriously learn a brass instrument, I too would choose the 'bone. Any reason for this? (I also know a handful of 'bone players who double on clarinet, or would at least like to learn it!)
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Author: William
Date: 2003-05-17 14:11
Locally, I am considered an "OK" clarinetist--but I can play a pretty mean trumpet also. And playing the brass mpc has never been a problem with my clarinet, sax or flute (as long as I keep practicing regularily).
The great jazz saxophonist Benny Caer is also adept at jamming on his trumpet and have you all noticed the trombonist in the Tonight Show Orchestra who also doubles on sax and has been featured playing great piccolo licks from time to time.
That woodwind players cannot play brass instruments is one of the "great musical myths" of our modern age, and should be laid to rest. (RIP)
It is like saying a great basketball player cannot also play baseball (remember Mike Jordan???)
Your band director probably knows thiw to be true, but is just trying to encourage his students to "stay envolved" with one instrument and do well, rather than randomly switching instruments "every other week" and making no meaningful progress on any one. Being a "jack of all trades" is not always better compared to being a "master of one." However, after mastering that one discipline, then you can then safely "play around" with other instruments without harming your embouchure.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-05-17 14:24
William wrote:
> It is like saying a great basketball player cannot also play
> baseball (remember Mike Jordan???)
If you use this example then the naysayers would just rest their case ...
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Author: n_hanson12
Date: 2003-05-17 15:43
Hank-
No, I don't have any physical problems (dental or otherwise) that would prevent me from being able to play a brass mouthpeice. I don't think that was his reasoning behind things.
As far as him wanting me to concentrate on one instrument, that is most certainly not the reason either. He actually loaned me one of his personal tenor sax's to work with this year. I am coming around nicely on it. He wanted me to play it for pep band and a pontential jazz band the two of us are trying to get started. I said that I just wanted to play on it a little for fun, but, as I've said, I got a big No.
~Nicki
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2003-05-17 19:04
Nicki,
Hhhhmmmmm.... I think you have a sticky little problem that has nothing to do with "He said that using a brass mouthpeice would be nearly impossible."
It would appear that your director's idea got little if any support from the bunch of BB brass/woodwind doublers that answered your question. How you handle what now appears to be a situation with some political ramifications is what builds maturity and judgment in young people. It looks like it is now your move; keep us informed as to how the end game plays out.
HRL
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Author: Bass Clarinet
Date: 2003-05-18 06:55
I play french horn along with my beloved bass clarinet, and maybe it's because I have an unusual jaw condition, but I'm finding that the horn is actually strengthening my clarinet embouchure.
Am I a freak of nature?
If so, I don't mind...
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Author: bassclarinetchicka88
Date: 2003-06-01 15:17
i was told that it is nearly impossible to be good on both a woodwind and a brass instrument, and if i tried, it would ruin my embouchure. i did have a friend that played french horn and oboe, and she did well on both, but then again she was naturally very talented. she eventually ended up giving up the french horn though, because she was also very good at the piano, and practicing for hours a day on 3 instruments takes up a lot of time. she confirmed that its nearly impossible to get to a professional level on a woodwind AND a brass instrument, but if you're just looking to have some fun, why not go for it? i've played my friend's trumpet and been pretty good at it (i dont actually own one though) ... i cant solemnly confirm anything in either direction - but i certainly hope to one day own a violin, flute, and trumpet - in my experiences with these instruments i havent been half bad ... but right now i just dont have the money
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Author: CheezyClarinetist
Date: 2003-06-01 18:24
I've been playing Clarinet for years, and have also picked up Sax, Flute, and I fooled around a bit with oboe. Just recently, within the last 6 motnhs, I picked up the trumpet in order to help out our Jazz band who had a puny 2 trumpets. I've gotten pretty good without any help and I've been playing the wailing high notes and I had a song featuring me in our last concert. I can still play the clarinet well. I haven't actually noticed any difference except I can understand my fellow musicians and understand music more thoroughly. My embouchre is fine. Brass is very fun, I strongly recommend 'em.
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-06-02 00:53
I played tromone for a short while ... we just didn't get on together as well as my clarinet and I did. But I had no problem with embouchure or anything. I just didn't like the trombone.
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2003-06-02 21:22
haha! I played baritone in marching band last year at Maryland. Close enough to Trombone, I guess. I was actually one of the best (out of 4 other girls who have played for years).
My teacher said it would ruin my embouchure, so I stopped. But I have a friend that plays clarinet, Eb, and bass clarinet wonderfully... and he plays Sousaphone in the marching band! So, I don't listen to my teacher anymore. (ok maybe I do) lol
--Contragirl
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Author: ron b
Date: 2003-06-02 22:05
Playing brass instruments never hurt me, never hurt any my reed-playing friends, and it hasn't seemed to bother sensible folk who visit this bulletin board.
So, there....
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Author: CNB4Now
Date: 2003-06-03 01:51
One of my friends can play many instruments. His main instrument is Trumpet, but he also plays Clarinet, any kind of Sax, Of course any kind of Brass. And he is really good at all of them! You need a new teacher!
C. N. B.
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2003-06-03 07:36
There would be no one who can be a Maurice Andre,a James Galway, and a Karl Leister at the same time Whether it is possible to double or triple or not will depend on what level on each you aim to be. Because, if you aim at the best for all, and knowing Maurice Andre plays/practices about 8 hours a day, if you play 3 instruments, there would be no sleeping time!
But I read that in Europe or UK music major pupils/students are recommended by teachers to take up a seconday instrument and that in fact there is literally no piano students who has not play a seconday instrument before entering Royal Collage of Mujsic piano faculty. This is to know in depth what musical phrasing is. The author pointed out Japnese piano education, which teaches only piano and only famous piano musics, has a profound defect.
Casals's secondary instrument was flute.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2003-06-03 12:05
I did 6th grade Tuba, 5th grade flute, as well as clarinet, and did 7th grade clarinet the following year. When I decided to get 'serious' about clarinet, I dropped the other two - for years people are still saying I benifited from these instruments, particularly where breathing and air is concerned.
GO for it! Your teacher sounds like a complete... .. .
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