 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: chipper
Date: 2004-07-29 14:21
My instructor has asked me to sit in the "Third Chair" of our community civic band. He said I could play in the Christmas concert and that practice would begin in October. This after less than a year of lessons and having never played an instrument in my life (I'm 49 years old). I'm psyched. I'm also in the dark as to what this entails. I was so excited I didn't even know what questions to ask.
What is the "Third Chair"? What should I ask? What can I expect?
Thanks
Chipper
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Author: William
Date: 2004-07-29 14:44
Depends on how many clarinets are in the section. If it is a large number with multiple players on each part, then "third" chair might mean the third chair in the first clarinet row. However, if there are only three clarinets, than "third" chair probably means the third (easiest) clarinet part. So your question should be, "how many clarinets and how hard will the music be?".
My advice, say yes, be confident and enjoy.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-07-29 14:46
Don't settle for third chair --- demand Principal, or else you'll call your Union rep............
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2004-07-29 14:50
Congratulations!
The chair you occupy depends a lot on what part you play and how many people are assigned to that part. In and of itself, third chair means you sit two chairs away from the principal player; if your band seats players in order of proficiency and you have a bunch of clarinets, this means you're quite a good player.
Now, let's say the first two players play the first clarinet part. This means you're actually first chair second part. Therefore, whenever any divided sections come up, you can play the higher part and the fourth chair plays the lower part -- or you can divvy up the divided sections however you see fit. In any case, in this situation you're generally deferred to as the "leader" of the second clarinets.
I don't know how your band handles part assignments, so all this can vary. Just remember your job is to play well and contribute to the ensemble's overall sound. Blend in and have fun..
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
Post Edited (2004-07-29 14:51)
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Author: Terry Stibal
Date: 2004-07-29 15:23
Does concert band music still divide things up into Solo Clarinet, First Clarinet (section), Second Clarinet and Third Clarinet? It's been many decades since I've played in one, but I recall (on transcriptions, at least) in my "concert band days" that the solo part played the essential clarinet stuff, the First section the first violin parts, the Second the seconds, and the Third the viola stuff.
While the Third chair part may not seem as essential, bear in mind that you have to present all of the elements of a composition. The lead (or First Clarinet) parts may be more florid, but they usually build on the foundation of the other elements in the group.
And, above all, have fun...
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Author: Rick Williams
Date: 2004-07-30 12:30
Congrats Chipper:
Third chair in many community bands simply means you are going to be playing the 3rd clarinet part in the arrangment. You may be the only 3rd clarinet or you may be one of a half dozen 3rd's, just depends.
The clarinet section of most volunteer community bands I've seen generally have a 1st chair/soloist, a couple of 2nd chairs with one covering the 1st clarinet part if there is a solo arrangement and several 3rd chairs.
The 3rd parts generally provide the bottom end (low notes) to the section. They can range from so easy they are booring to fairly challenging depending on the arrangement. Your teacher obviously knows what you are going to be playing and feels you are up to it, so go for it!!
As far as to what to expect? Expect to have fun, that is what it is all about!
Best
Rick
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-07-30 12:53
Attaboy,Chipper. Maybe he said "third clarinet" rather than third chair. In any event good luck and enjoy playing with a group regardless of where you sit.
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2004-07-31 00:49
If you are, in fact, playing 3rd part and not third chair, it is the part that is often unappreciated. However, if treated as important, it can be the most fulfilling of the clarinet parts. True, the thirds rarely get the flashy solo parts, but having a solid 3rd section can make all the difference in an ensemble. Also, the 3rds are usually placed smack dab in the middle of the group, providing what I consider the best possible location to experience the music.
I've played 3rd in my ensemble for the past two and a half years, and have loved every minute. For the past two years, I've been "first third" (in charge of the 3rd section), and there's surprisingly much responsibility for that chair in a good ensemble. This fall, it's likely that I'll move up to second, and I'm a bit torn about it. Sure, I'd get to play a bit "more prestigious" parts, but there's a certain charm about playing 3rd. (And I've also come to find the 3rd parts quite fun, which is key to a good 3rd section). The parts are only boring if you treat them as such.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: Contra
Date: 2004-07-31 01:38
I always preferred the third parts. I always had more fun playing longer and deeper notes. Playing high above the staff was never really my thing. I just left those to the girls that took parts up an octave just because they could.
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2004-07-31 12:37
If I had only been playing less than a year and was invited to play in a band, just about any band, I would be pretty thrilled, and you should be too.
It doesn't matter where you sit or what part you are playing. Just make some music and have fun!
Regards
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Author: WoodIsGood
Date: 2004-07-31 17:34
I've got 20 years on you and went through the same experience.
You will find a standard four legged chair with a flat, hard surface.
Playing in tune and in tempo is the most endearing attribute to a conductor.
Knowing when to play and what you should not attempt is important. A good goal is to always make a contribution even if it is zero. Never take away.
Third clarinet is challenging. It will often mimic the solo Cl only an octave or two lower. In a symphonic band you will play the violin parts, so you will be exposed to a lot of fast didle-didle patterns.
The spotlight comes on when the arranger wants a deep purple sound. This generally falls to the third and lower clarinets en masse. - Carmen Dragon's arrangement of God Bless America so polish a low clear hollow chalemeau tone.
You can expect fun and a lot of food.
Mike
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Author: emylooa
Date: 2004-08-01 02:04
I happen to sit third chair, which is actually the fourth chair since there are only four of us. Most times, I play second chair second part, then first chair third depending on what is going on in the piece or who is missing! So ha, third chair can mean just about anything, sort of! The important thing is that the chair is comfy! You don't REALLY have to have a hard chair for third chair! I always request a better-padded one because the long rehearsals bug my sciatica. Don't be a martyr! Let the first chairs have the hard chairs! They need to stay awake anyway! My first chair buddy calls hers the HOT SEAT. You might not want a seat that's too hot at first. Try a cooler one for awhile! Actually, third players are WAY COOL! Bring shades. ;-)
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Author: claclaws
Date: 2004-08-01 07:24
'Third chair' in an ensemble or a band is what I dream of. Congrats and good luck to you.
Lucy Lee Jang
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Author: Rick Williams
Date: 2004-08-02 12:31
BTW Chipper here's some hard learned advice!
Never make eye contact with the conductor! It just encourages them. If you do, then the next thing you know they will want to start dictating things like dynamics and tempo....(I'm just kidding)
Have fun, 3rd is what puts the meat in the clarinet section! Oh and tune often and early...g
Best
RW
Best
Rick
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Author: chipper
Date: 2004-08-02 13:58
Thanks Much. I plan to have a great time and to do no harm.
C
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Author: Bennett ★2017
Date: 2004-08-02 16:20
At 50 after about a year of lessons I joined a community band in the 3rd chair/clarinet part. The most difficult thing was counting - figuring out where we were. Often after 20 seconds I didn't know where on the page we were - or even which page!. Third clarinet often does not have melody so counting can be tough. It gets better the longer you do it.
Stop playing when you lose the place; everybody loses the place at sometime.
If after a couple of weeks it seems hopeless you can drop out but definitely try it.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-08-02 22:49
As I always say, "Hooray fer da turds". Third clarinet part....as opposed to third chair clarinet....is usually highly underrated by many. It is where the belly of the beast resides.
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Author: Selphie
Date: 2004-08-03 12:44
I joined a local wind band after about 6 months of playing and had a choice of whether I wanted to play 1st,2nd or 3rd clarinet parts,being the total wuss that I was at the time I chose 3rd,I had a great time,we played a good variety of work from Albeniz to Scottish folk tunes,the 3rd clarinet parts were interesting,sometimes very easy and relaxing to play,mainly in the low register and then in the next piece we'd be hit with a 16th note chromatic run going up into the altissimo,it certainly was very enjoyable,from a social point of view too,especially the glass or two of wine each week in the interval :D I only stopped when I had to move and sell my clarinet but as soon as my new R-13 arrives I will be joining the town concert band.:)
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Author: diz
Date: 2004-08-04 03:55
Someone slightly misguidedly suggested that third chair is "easy".
Sorry, news flash, that is most certainly NOT the case. A lot of the writting falls over the break and down in the chalemaux. You'll find the parts very supportive ... think the engine room of the section.
By the way ... enjoy!!
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Author: Selphie
Date: 2004-08-04 07:03
We certainly used to get some interesting,challenging parts to play,as I'd only been playing a short while when I started playing in community band I found the parts I had to play,especially the very high register pieces pushed my playing forward a great deal,my teacher noticed the difference for sure.My sight reading got a good wash and brush-up too,not to mention my counting although as a drummer counting isn't really much of a problem for me.
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Author: Selphie
Date: 2004-08-04 13:50
LOL!
It's ok.don't be shy,aim away I can take it :P
that is so true of course,sometimes you'll have rests so long it'll be 'hard' to stay awake,here it's really important that you've been counting or you'll get a part that is just plain funny,like a Scottish piece we played where the 3rd clarinets had to take the part of bagpipe drones,that was hard,hard to keep a straight face or keep from making elbow waving bagpipe playing type actions :P
...and of course if you get completely lost or a piece really is too hard for you,you can just mime...providing of course that you aren't the only clarinet !
Post Edited (2004-08-04 14:08)
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