 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2004-07-13 05:23
I'm just thinking out loud hear, so feel free to dismiss me if you want. I'm thinking about the difference between viewing clarinet playing as a means to an end (the creation of art) and as a means in itself. Just something to think about.
For example, I am very interested in clarinet repertoire (and in all music in general), as I'm sure most of us are. My primary interest in playing the clarinet, or any instrument is the creation of music (I don't mean to sound lofty...). I'm not saying that in a snobby way, I promise. What I mean is, when I think about playing the clarinet, I fantasize about which pieces I want to play, or which pieces I want to listen to or discuss, etc...
A lot of times, it seems that clarinetists and all musicians get too caught up in the act of "clarinetting" and not in the products of clarinetting. For example, this BBoard has tons of posts about which reeds are best, which ligatures are bests, what X barrel or Y mouthpiece will do for ya... Comparatively, there are shockingly few posts discussing the ubelievable beauty of Premiere Rhapsody, how exciting it is the play the cadenza from the Copland Concerto, or how the first time I listened to the Brahms trio (mov 2), I got a little teary (I'm man enough to admit that!). I know it sounds corny, but I would HOPE that in the end, that's what we're all hear for.
Now I understand that finding the right equipment, drilling the scales, and all that are essential if you want to have the musical skills to create and appreciate wonderful pieces of music (and trust me, I've played that stupid Klose page at least a thousand times and I still get a little giddy when I try a new brand of reeds..). However, can that stuff become too important and distract from (what I view as the ultimate goal) of creating/appreciating music.
I'm not expecting an onslaught of posts discussings every piece ever written for the clarinet (though I wouldn't mind it!). Luckily, I have TWO clarinetist friends who share my freakish love of clarinet music and are willing to sit around and just listen to stuff and talk about it, and I think kind of exchange and thinking has increased my playing/listening skills more than I can say (yes, I realize we are all dorks who will likely die single and lonely, but at least we'll have our clarinet CDs! haha). Anyway, just something to think about.
DH
theclarinetist@yahoo.com
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2004-07-13 05:44
It's a lot easier to get bits of advice from a board, I suppose. The music itself is much better suited to discussion in person. What's the quote, "dancing about architecture"?
As far as the repertoire goes, so much of it is, erm, old... so there is loads of conventional wisdom out there already. Your teacher knows a decent way to approach most of the repertoire (especially if they helped you pick it), but they may not be familiar with every obscure piece of equipment out there (unless they're helping you pick that as well).
If there was a nice way of co-listening to things online and discussing (goodness knows copyright extensions make that more difficult), it may be more effective. Otherwise, it's a lot easier to find, as you say, a friend or two to listen together.
As for my personal view of the clarinet, I view it (and any instrument for that matter) as a means of communication. Whether that communication is between you and the audience, the composer and you, the composer and the audience, etc. is up to the situation (hopefully it's all of the above in a performance). In many performances, I see some of the participants get in the way... perhaps the performer is overly virtuosic trying to "MAKE MUSIC!!!", perhaps they are hung up on the technicalities rather than letting it flow, or perhaps the composer has written unduly difficult parts in pursuit of art (I've done it, admittedly).
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2004-07-13 07:19
Your question ultimately concerns the function of art in society and your function in relation to *your* art (or art in general).
(Now appreciate the general function of clarinetists' to this board and their interest)
I personally believe that art (broadly) is an attempy to capture the truth of our complex life. Such a statement is (appreciatelvy) a GROSS oversimplification of the facts.
You have in your question eliminated this websites most basic (and most employed) uses: technique, pedagogy, maintenance, and individual preference.
You have also promulgated a forum of artistic dialoque about musical art in general...as opposed to clarinet function and performance.
My response currently is succinct...I think that performance art concerns two very important factions: My thoughts on the interpretation of a piece, and the audiences response. In that middle ground exists the variation and creation that allows us to continue.
Now let's argue...or agree to disagree.
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2004-07-13 15:08
If you want to see discussion of how a particular piece effects one emotionally, take it upon yourself to start the thread.
I'm not sure as to how many responses you will get, but you won't know until you post.
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2004-07-13 15:13
Music has had "mystical" powers for thousands of years, and beauty is in the ear of the beholder. I'm currently researching history of Finnish folk music, and in the Finnish epic tale "Kalevala" the head wizard is a singer and kantele player (a little like a dulcimer) who is so good that he controls people and nature with his wondrous songs. Tolkien studied Finnish rune singers and the Finnish language before writing "Lord of the Rings". Elvish bears a striking resemblance to Finnish.
Obviously most of us who use this BBoard have a fondness for clarinet sounds and music. Music is definitely at its best when shared with someone else who also appreciates it, but this is best done in a personal setting rather than over the internet. The types of music that individuals are moved by, is as varied as the number of types of music. The common theme on this BBoard is clarinets but you may be moved by concertos, while someone else is moved by dixieland.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-07-13 16:52
Yes, some have said my playing brings tears to their eyes....
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Author: john gibson
Date: 2004-07-13 17:16
Blah blah blah....
Clarinet schmarinet....play music.....for your and others enjoyment.....
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-07-13 17:39
I knew it would get your attention, J O'J. I got curious a while back re: Sibelius' music, had heard the Swan recently, I guess, and had even tried a bit of it back in my oboe/EH days. difficult to play WELL, but isn't everything? I got a Lib-Loan of the K, tried reading [the trans!], but understanding was tough! I really wanted to get concert band arr's of some of the suite, but our conductors felt it was too "somber" for us. Please tell more about your feelings for this music. TKS, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: psychotic lil clarinet girl (don't as
Date: 2004-07-14 07:17
ok, I'm too cheap to buy clarinet CD's and stuff, since I am new to it... I would love to listen to some though, since I do love the clarinet and all classical music on any instrument... I also play piano, so I listen to a lot of free piano stuff online, and some have been so beautiful I almost cried... However, my clarinet teacher has played for me before, and he played so beautifully, I almost did cry...
My original intention for the clarinet was to be able to play an instrument, so that my emotions show through my playing... Although I kinda have that in piano, I wanted to try a wind instrument for change...
Being around competetive people though, has made me forget about that and be in it to prove people wrong...
Although, I do go back to my original intentions sometimes, it's not as often as it used to be...
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Author: Markus Wenninger
Date: 2004-07-14 09:13
DH,
Yes, I agree completely, those 1000s of "what reed´s best?!" - post miss most of the point, to my view. The only alternative, though, to start one´s own threads by posting reflectively, or about specific compositions and musical/musicological topics et al, is often enough rendered bringgin up not too much of an echo. Some of the "older" league of players here said to me it indeed depended on the age of the contributors - though I woukdn´t make age the criterium of how reflected one´s own musical being is, I bet there are enough youngsters out there who fight for a deep insight into their playing. Face to face is still the most personal way of a setting for this grappling with the muses, but I don´t see what´s so utterly non-personal about a communicative platform like this board. I jump to every post´s hint of referring to 'what it means to do this/be that' as far as music is concerned, there are just few, You´re right, and all interdisciplinary strata like learning theory, philosophy, aesthetics, compositorial practice,performing/composing at the beginning of the 21st century et al. I personally think it a different stage of ripeness, one has to pass through the preliminary stage of just seeing the page of music in front of you and one´s tool, and thinking it is a matter of 'doing it like it´s supposed to do'. And then, there´s a plateau, where former aeras situated metaphysics to dwell, and now all deconstructive, dynamical folds and destabilisations romp.
Please do start the one or other thread about aesthetical topics and the like, I would be grateful for it certainly.
Markus
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2004-07-14 20:29
It has been reported thast Artie Shaw once told Benny Goodman something along the lines of, "You're a Clarinet player, and I'm a musician."
Regards,
John
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Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2004-07-14 22:22
Haha.. I actually considered jokingly making the subject of this post "which is better: Buffet or LeBlanc?" but I feared that no one would even read it...
DH
theclarinetist@yahoo.com
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