 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2004-06-08 16:58
I've been asked to play at a wedding that'll be held outdoors on a moderately warm, sunny day. The bride and groom specifically requested that no rain fall that day and that the relative humidity remain moderate for the occasion.
Besides keeping a Legere reed close at hand, what has experience taught you besides turning down the offer before you start to think about it too much? Is this idea absolutely nuts to even consider? And what's a better idea?
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Author: Dan1937
Date: 2004-06-08 17:23
Having played MANY outdoor weddings and other performances in hot, humid Virginia weather, I can unequivocally state that it's punishment for the musicians and the instruments, and sometimes even for the wedding party. In addition, most people don't even listen to the live music! I firmly believe that any leader should charge a premium to perform under these conditions.
However, that is not what you asked. The Legere reed is certanly a good idea. I would also suggest a plastic clarinet if you live in a humid climate. Try to play under a shelter of some kind if at all possible. In the event of rain/thunder/lightning and you're using any amplification, at the first rumble of thunder, the playing stops and the electronics are turned off.
Hope it works out!
Dan
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Author: Henry
Date: 2004-06-08 17:24
Brenda: Just in case....make sure you have a plastic clarinet available for the occasion.
Henry
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-06-08 17:25
Hi Brenda,
Not a problem at all to play such a job. Just have a longer barrel or two handy and keep your reed moist on breaks (on show jobs where I have to be able to pick up and play a sax or clarinet that has sat for a while, I use a small moistened sponge in the cap againt the reed). No need to use a plastic reed unless that's your usual setup. You should probably use a small PA system of some sort.
HRL
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-06-08 17:28
Hand out business cards so you can be sure to get booked for the bride's eventual divorce celebration.
Tell them you are just playing the percentages... GBK
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2004-06-08 17:53
GBK, (lol) so should I tell you that the bride is my future daughter-in-law? And that my son asked me to play? This throws a whole different light on it.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-06-08 18:06
Brenda wrote:
> GBK, (lol) so should I tell you that the bride is my future
> daughter-in-law? And that my son asked me to play? This throws
> a whole different light on it.
In that case, if they get divorced, charge her double ...GBK
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Author: ron b
Date: 2004-06-08 19:42
Looks like you have no choice, Brenda. Make the most of it. Follow the above suggestions and... Have FUN!!
:)
- ron b -
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-06-08 20:39
A Command performance! Our band played an "in bright sunlite" "sweating " concert recently, our prayers did bring some clouds but didn't cut the "open-mike" talks short. The slight breeze helped and the clothes pins were used. Water bottles do help too. In the above thread Re: wood cls and heat, I mentioned covering at least the U J with a white hancerchief to avoid overheating. Have a couple more this week, UGH !! Luck, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-06-08 21:29
I don't know about others, but I FULLY intend on playing clarinet at my own wedding (which won't be anytime soon. And NO I don't have a prospective wife.)
Alexi
PS - It'll probably be the only gig I ever have. And, to those that attend it, hopefully the only gig . . .
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Henry
Date: 2004-06-08 21:39
Alexi...Are all your friends here invited? I think you are too modest. I'm sure we'd all enjoy your performance!
Henry
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-06-08 21:55
Henry wrote:
> Alexi...Are all your friends here invited? I think you are too
> modest. I'm sure we'd all enjoy your performance!
>
> Henry
It's all about psychology. The more I say I suck, the more likely you are to expect it, and the more likely you are to think, "Hey, he wasn't as bad as I expected."
However if I start trying to classify myself as "intermediate to intermediate advanced" or "advanced" or "practically a new race of clarinetist", the more like you are to have higher expectations. In which case you will almost inevitably think, "Wow. He wasn't anywhere NEAR what I expected."
Hence, no matter WHAT my progress, or level, I will continue to crack on myself. I mean, SOMEONE'S got to keep me humble. Who better than someone that's ALWAYS there to do it? (me?)
As for invitations, it'd be up to the wifey and whoever's paying for the wedding. If it were up to me, You'd ALL be allowed to meet me outside city hall as I exit my 'ceremony'.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: diz
Date: 2004-06-08 21:56
My experience of an outdoor wedding was under a magnificent Morton Bay fig tree (huge tree) in the Royal Botanic Gardens, in Sydney, at dusk ... it seemed like an enchanting idea at the time ... then it went very, very bad:
all was going well and then the birds started to roost, as we were camped decoratively under the tree, the crap start to rain down on us ... we moved, very quickly and laughed a lot in the process. The moral: never play under a tree at dusk.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-06-08 22:56
I have played clarinet outdoors and heard others do so. None ever sounded good as far as I was concerned. .....compared to playing indoors, that is.
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2004-06-08 22:57
diz...not just at dusk.
Last summer I played at my best friend's stepdaughter's wedding. We had been placed under the trees so that the instruments would not be in direct sunlight.
Some bird up above in the middle of the afternoon decided it didn't like my playing. Once...so I moved. Twice...so I moved again... Luckily there was no thrice. But it was a white shirt and the bird had eaten some dark colored berry. UGH.
Moral of the story for Brenda:
Make sure your "cover" is NOT a tree!
Katrina
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Author: William
Date: 2004-06-09 14:29
Clothspins are OK, wind clips (transparent kind) are better, but a large, music stand size of plexaglass is even better for protecting your music from slight breezes (and other occassional tornadic winds) that will come up while playing out of doors. Insect rellant may also help keep the little fly'n critters from behind your glasses, nostrals, ears and other places of irritation. Be certain the lawn sprinkling system has been turned off and hope that the birds flyng overhead have not recently dined. Beyond all of that, outdoor wedding gigs can be a lot of fun.
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2004-06-10 02:19
has any one suggested an adjustable tunning barrell? i also suggest a plastic clarinet. (or hard rubber)
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