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Re: Why Are Clarinets In Marching Band?

Author: ron b
Date: 2004-05-31 22:45

Thoughts on the matter...

First and foremost, Clay -- Don't even think about apologizing. Yours is a good and valid question. It's been asked over and over and over since as long as I can remember. I feel it should be answered over and over and over as many times as there are band members who ask about it. I'm pretty sure those who've gone before us heard it often too simply because I'm quite sure they noticed the same thing. However, I do not agree with anyone that clarinets serve no purpose in a marching environment other than as spot fillers. "Spot fillers"? wellll, yeah. But, wait... there's a whole lot more to it than that:

A marching band's function outdoors, off the concert stage, is somewhat different and somewhat the same as it is in a concert setting. Referring to my imaginary manual, **Introduction to Band, 101**, "a band's outdoor function is to impress both aurally and visually, your onlookers". You are then a musical Precision Drill Team. You've probably heard the expression, "wearing different hats." Indoor concerts, comb your hair --Outdoors, you put on your [outdoor] hats (caps)

Your job is to impress those along the parade route, onlookers, friends, family, townspeople, jerks in the judges stand. Everyone.

Don't kid yourself though, the clarinet's sound is not lost. Depending where the listener is located, the closer you are the more the different instruments' sounds come and go - even the flutes, believe it or not, can be heard at times. At a greater distance you'll sound like a full band. For the audience: crowd, gawkers, bystanders, grandstand sitters, etc., visual impressions are very much a necessity to the overall effectiveness of any marching band's performances. Marching band performers are quite animated - if, in fact, you're any good at it and are really doing your job. If you're doing your job you know that it's hard, physically demanding work. In many schools it qualifies as P.E. credit. Each member is every bit as important as every other member, no more, no less, working together as a unit. If you don't fullly understand that going in you might be happier taking a different elective during marching season.

I'm serious. During my early high school days, the first chair clarinetist, section leader, was on the football team (2nd string) during football/marching-band season. During concert season and springtime parades he played (and marched) as well as any good players I've heard before or since.

No thoughtful person is angered by a legitimate question. Reading over my comments though, I realize it may seem I have my back up a little. I don't intend that, my answer, from my point of view of course, to be testy. I intend to state the facts and realities as I know them from several years experience, both as a 'professional'(earned a living at it) and non-professional(for the fun of it) concert/marching clarinet tooter. Uh, (oops) I mean BANDSMAN.... [ yeah, that's it. ...clarinet player ]

- r