 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Rachel
Date: 2004-01-28 01:18
I've heard a number of people express the opinion that playing multiple instruments is bad because it can damage your technique on your original instrument.
I disagree, because I play a few instruments, and it has not harmed my clarinet technique (or my technique on any of my other instruments), and, each time I have started a new instrument, it has increased my appreciation and understanding of music.
What does everyone else think?
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2004-01-28 02:56
Of all instruments, I think flute & piccolo are likely to be the most susceptible to a compromised embouchure. Personally, I think insights form reed playing have improved my flute playing, flute being my primary instrument.
"I play the French horn and saxophone (real bad on both) and it has not affected my embouchure at all. In fact, playing the French horn actually improved it. I became more aware of the changes which are necessary on the flute. My brother plays the flute, Clarinet and Sax and I think he is great on the flute." - Sir James Galway.
We get proficient, and keep proficient at the instruments we practice, no matter which instruments are involved.
Using my tongue for eating does not make it less capable for talking, or anything else I use it for.
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Author: Joel Clifton
Date: 2004-01-28 03:06
I played contrabass for a semester. That instrument takes such a different embochure than the Bb that it may as well be a completely different instrument. Once I played one for a good length of time, it took me just a minute or so to get back in the groove with the other.
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Author: allencole
Date: 2004-01-28 06:06
A couple of things to remember about playing multiple instruments:
1 - If you play it, you have to PRACTICE it. Clarinet is a good base instrument for doubling and is a good one to have as the primary one you practice. But you still have to do at least some warmups and scales on the other ones.
2 - Alternate between your instruments in the same practice session. This will go far to help your embouchure find itself as you switch.
3 - Get really good on your primary instrument before you get heavily into doubling.
4 - Some people get confused by different fingering systems and some don't. I fall into the latter category, so I can't say what it feels like to feel confused by fingers. What I can say is that doubling in and of itself does not degrade technique. Confusion isn't normally the issue. It's more normally a matter of so many instruments competing for a slice of your finite practice time.
On another thread we have been looking at John J. Moses' resume. Doubling doesn't seem to have kept him from a significant amount of orchestral clarinet work.
Allen Cole
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-01-28 15:53
Nonsense! Playing multiple instruments can only IMPROVE your primary instrument playing by giving you additional perspectives, building up muscles or types of movements that might otherwise not be so well-worked, etc. Assuming, of course, that one has sufficient total practice time available to keep up progress on the primary horn!
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Author: Tim P
Date: 2004-01-28 16:37
The problem I have with multiple instruments is positioning them in my mouth. I think with Ma high hat with one foot and a bass drum with the other. While playing notes on the upper joint I might, also, be able to pick out a few right hand notes on a keyboard if I use a neck strap.
but clarinet AND flute man there ain't no way.
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2004-01-28 16:56
Loud humming in harmony with your clarinet playing is neat, too.
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Author: msloss
Date: 2004-01-28 17:40
Nonsense. You can convert a harmonica rig to hold the flute so you can play it with your nose. Problem solved.
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Author: Dan1937
Date: 2004-01-28 21:06
Chris Vadala (Eastman grad, formerly with Chuck Mangione) advises to begin your practice sessions with the smallest instrument on which you double. This, I believe, is the best way to adapt your embouchure to the various instruments you will be playing.
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Author: ned
Date: 2004-01-29 01:14
""The problem I have with multiple instruments is positioning them in my mouth. I think with Ma high hat with one foot and a bass drum with the other. While playing notes on the upper joint I might, also, be able to pick out a few right hand notes on a keyboard if I use a neck strap.""
I have tried piano chords with the right hand and left hand on clarinet [yeh....I know you're only joking] - it's a fairly pointless exercise really and........I did think about somehow getting the bass drum next to the piano!
Anyway to answer the original post - I don't have embochure problems, because I double on drums and occasionally alto sax [more to the point] and happily, alto has not been a problem.
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Author: diz
Date: 2004-01-29 02:41
LMFAO @ John Kelly
Playing multiple instruments is no problem for me ... mind you I don't do brass.
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Author: Ron Jr.
Date: 2004-01-29 14:20
Whenever I go to a "Gig" where I hear a wind doubler or tripler I am usually able to tell what their main instrument is. There are three cues:
First, how do they look playing each instrument? Do they hold some instruments in a way that shows improvised or less dilligent form?
Second, how do they sound? Is there sound more expressive, controlled and in tune on one instrument than the other?
Third, is their technique smoother on a particular instrument?
After a short time it becomes obvious which instrument is their favorite.
My point is that there is only so much time to practice. So dividing time between instruments can prevent one from becoming truly expert in one; hence a Jack of all Trades. Not being able to focus on one instrument can result in proficient but not remarkable playing.
One of the great advantages to playing the clarinet is that one can choose to play different pitched instruments. The Bb, A, but more especially the Eb, Bass offer the opportunity to play something fresh when you get the hankering for a different sound. The advantage is that you can move with greater ease from one member of the Clarinet family instrument to the other. Also technique spent on one transfers easily to the other.
In concession to doubling or tripling, one major advantage is when the embouchure gets tired on one instrument, the embouchure is quite fresh on another instrument. When your dead tired on the clarinet you can move to the flute, for example, you can continue playing. In contrast when your tired from playing the Bb clarinet, you can't move on to the Eb and certainly not the Bass. So doubling allows you to keep going when your emvouchure gets tired on one instrument.
Another advantage to doubling or tripling is that you can explore a wide variety of instruments first hand. If and when you do choose to focus more exclusively on one instrument, you can make that decision based on solid experience.
Take care,
Ron Jr.
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Author: potatohead
Date: 2004-01-29 23:37
I double on trombone so that I can be in jazz ensemble–– and its starting to tamper with my clarinet playing. I started trombone before I was throughly grounded on clarinet so I think that contributed to the problem, but other than that, I think that it's wonderful. And loads of fun!
-MG
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Author: Blowthing
Date: 2004-01-31 20:34
Usually school music teachers know at least the basics on a variety of instruments.
O yeah and I think it improves my handwriting for a few hours after I practise an instrument.
Blowthing
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Author: corinne
Date: 2004-02-01 15:39
well, i can see how similar instruments wouldn't harm your embouchure
clarinets and sax's;
oboes, bassoons, english horns, oboe d'amores;
flutes and piccolos;
and various brasses.
But I don't think that i (and I play oboe) would try doubling on a brass instrument b/c that would probably really mess up my embouchure. I play a little bit of clarinet here and there, but when I finish I immediately play the oboe just to make sure I don't get too used to clarinet. I would MUCH rather be used to the oboe embouchure.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-02-01 15:51
I think it is about time we put this old wive's tale to rest.
Playing multiple instruments, whether it be woodwinds, brass or even strings will not harm the playing of your primary instrument.
Never has...never will...
I'm sure many of us can cite any number of very fine musicians who are versatile on instruments from different families.
Don't believe me? Start by listening to the jazz great Benny Carter ...GBK
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2004-02-01 17:16
GBK writes with truth. A good player is a good player. Think of the many athletic figures who play more than one professional sport. Sure, if they spent more time on their primary game rather than dividing it, it might improve the primary game a bit more; but other activities aren't going to hurt it.
Playing an alternative instrument impairs your ability on your primary instrument? Might as well blame it on flossing your teeth.
Regards,
John
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Author: Rachel
Date: 2004-02-02 00:30
Oh, good, the great GBK agrees with me.
I was talking to my best friend (not a wind player, but a very good percussionist) about this yesterday, and she said that it was ridiculous and made me crack up laughing by talking and then suddenly "forgetting" how to make a sound or move her mouth whenever she put her mouth in a different position.
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