 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Topher
Date: 2004-02-26 20:31
Hello all,
I have just got the music for a clarinet quartet three friends and I are doing. My question is about directors. I realize that when we preform, we definitely should go sans-director. I am just concerned that as high school students, even competent ones, we will need guidance getting started. My one director is uninterested, as he does a sax quartet every year, doesn't believe in clarinet quartets, and really doesn't like me. My other director is simply too busy, and some other professionals I have talked to insist we should do it entirely on our own. Some insight would be nice, because I can probably bother a local bass clarinetist I know into helping, and I want to know if it would be worth it.
topher
In case you were wondering, we are doing the Suite for Four Equal Clarinets, Scott Joplin: Portrait, Rialto Ripples, and Funeral March of a Marionette, plus a few Bach chorales for musicianship's sake.
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Author: chicagoclar
Date: 2004-02-27 05:51
I think you can learn a lot by doing it on your own. One option to think about is to work out the music as an ensemble, and then have a coach come in and help you after you've done what you could. That's what our woodwind quintet does. Granted, we are older and more experienced (in college), but it works well. I think you could do the same and ask for help as it becomes needed instead of every week. Good luck!
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2004-02-27 06:08
That's how our quintet works as well, with the most conductorially-experienced player (our horn player in this case) mostly leading the rehearsals the rest of the time.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-02-27 06:12
I agree with the above posters. I am in the my college's chamber ensemble, and, IMHO, sometimes it seems that our ensemble depends a little too much on the director. They ask him to count off to start us off nearly every time up until a few weeks before the performance.
I say if you need someone to count off in the beginning, simply have someone say, "1, 2, 3, . . . " and begin playing. Or maybe some heavy foot tapping to begin with if you guys have a little trouble keeping a steady beat. Chamber music to me is fantastic because each part is a solo and important. Each person is heard clearly and it's really something when you get that perfect blend. When you feel more competent and everyone has an idea of the correct tempo in their head, a simply breath or slight nod of the clarinet should be able to start you off.
Try having some fun too. When you get good at the music try all starting while facing opposite directions to see how in "sync" you are. And make sure that whoever has the melody for a particular line isn't drowned out by the rest.
If it were up to me (which it isn't, but if it were . . .) I would only ask someone technical questions that I may not be able to figure out. Should these unmarked notes be more short or long? Should we separate this more? But then again, you have to make sure that you are performing YOUR interpretation as a group. So take some liberties and have fun.
My recommendation is to not worry too much about getting a director right away. Do some sightreading at a slower tempo then you think you'll take it, practice your parts for a while, then have someone listen in and critique your progress.
Have fun with the quartet! One day I plan on being a part of one . . . just not quite yet . . . . !
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
Post Edited (2004-02-27 06:13)
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Author: msloss
Date: 2004-02-27 12:22
A coach is the right way to go. But, get a clarinet teacher to do it. You need somebody not to give you a tempo but to listen and teach you how to blend and interact. Just because you have four of the same instrument doesn't mean they automatically go well together. Chamber playing really brings out how important it is to thoroughly understand and master your instrument, and how to listen around the group. Pitch (absolute and relative), timbre, phrasing, articulation, dynamics, etc. are all magnified when they aren't perfect in the quartet setting.
Enjoy.
Mark
[Member, Daniel Bonade Clarinet Quartet, NYC]
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Author: allencole
Date: 2004-02-28 20:27
The great thing about chamber music is sitting a small group of kids down and giving them the single mission of PLAYING TOGETHER. They generally figure out how to, and so will you. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and you will learn from everything that you do--both right and wrong.
You can find someone happy to coach you, but they are not going to want to spoon-feed you pitches and rhythms every week. Prepare a few things, and then invite someone to come in and coach you. The coach will have more to work with, and what he/she tells you will resonate more because of your experience.
The hardest thing in coaching chamber groups is to keep the group from being dependent on the coach. When you find someone willing to meet with you, greet them with something that you've done your best to prepare. Any musician will enjoy working with well-prepared and open-minded students.
Allen Cole
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