Author: Lisa
Date: 2004-03-24 00:42
OK, I'm thinking that I might get blasted for this, but here goes:
Is it just me, or does anybody else think that most flute sections in bands (ranging from elementary on up to college and semi-pro community band calibre) are more proficient than clarinet sections in the same ensembles? If so, why do you think this is? Here's my possible thoughts...
1. Beginning flautists can get a "nicer" tone from their instrument than beginning clarinetists. (LOL)
2. It also probably has something to do with the reed, huh? 
3. If a player with mediocre flute tone is taught proper vibrato technique, they automatically sound way better than their clarinet counterparts. (Speaking for myself, I'm by no means a "real flute player," but to nonflute players, I sound pretty darn good, probably because I really try to play with a round tone and vibrato.
4. Flute players are all expected to learn (and use) that third octave more than clarinetists, so they sound better in all registers. Even 2nd flute parts have passages up there, in unison with the 1st part. When are 2nd or 3rd clarinet parts written up high like that?
5. As for tonguing speed, can you say "double tongue?" How about triple tongue? I know it's possible for a clarinet player to double or triple tongue, but I can't do it, and that's my primary instrument. I have no trouble cheating on flute with double/triple tonguing, btw.
6. There honestly just doesn't seem to be much dead weight in flute sections ever. Even the last chair flute players usually seem to have a certain high ability to me, anyway. I think we've all heard "really bad" last chair clarinet players, whether in elemtary school or community band as adults. (I mean no ill will to ANYBODY who may be reading this opinion of mine. Third clarinetists are people, too. I know--I used to be one of them in college wind ensemble, and relaly enjoyed playing the part, too.)
OK, I'll end with the whole reason that I started this thread. Every time any organization I've played with performs "Irish Washerwoman" I observe how much better the flute section sounds than the clarinet section in the soli unison passages. The flutes all sound as one, calm player, and the clarinet section sounds like we're all trying too hard to play it at that fast tempo--bad intonation, tonguing too hard, fingers getting caught up in technique difficulties, whatever--and the flute players just sit back and PLAY. And they always sound good, minus an occasional mishap here or there.
**Is playing the flute well just easier than playing the clarinet well???
Now, I'm sure a person who's primarily a flautist and then clarinetist second might come on here and just totally disagree with everything I've said, since they've probably know their fair share of "bad" flute players in their day...
Post Edited (2006-11-15 10:35)
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