 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Caliplaya03
Date: 2004-09-26 06:00
I'm sooo mad!!!. I just missed 3rd Chair(1st Clarinet..last chair)...because i messed up soo bad on my chair test. My reed was really resistant so i squeaked like 2x's. Well i guess i should challenge the 2nd Chair clarinet since he's a sophomore!!! Well do you guys think i should challenge him? Well i mean i'm happy i made 4/9 chair but i know i could have done a lot better...even my band director gave me "the pat on the back" and was like you could have played 1st this yr..but you messed up. But i know i'm goin to be the section leader next yr...so i was thinking i should be playing 1st. Well some info would be great thank you.
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2004-09-26 06:18
Can't take the responsibility of arguably the most important chair in the section and want to coast on the back of the rest of the 1sts?
This obsession with being at a "higher status chair" of the ensemble seems to be hitting pretty hard lately.
(imho 2/3/4 is a better arrangement for a section of 9, and ensembles of varying ability should place their 3 best players on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, but that's another topic)
A bit of advice: In the future, you'll likely chair-test better if you begin a good rotation of a dozen or so reeds, so that at any given time, you have at least a few that will play well.
You should take this as an opportunity: In so many ensembles, especially at the high school level, the "lower" parts are horribly neglected. However, composers in general will normally write parts of equal musical importance (so what if the notes aren't as fast!) for each of the clarinet parts. Lead the seconds as well as you can, and the ensemble as a whole will benefit.
Also, don't fall into the trap of needing to hear yourself play (which usually makes you go a bit sharp). Fold yourself into the ensemble sound, and the end result will be much better.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: LeOpus1190s
Date: 2004-09-26 18:33
Quite honestly, I have never quite understood this whole "im 4th chair wanna be one more up or im 399 chair and I want to be 398". Quite frankley, I see it as principal, and then the rest are about all the same.
I know it's a big deal cause you are in high school. I mean when I was a freshman I put second chair in the highest band because I was only fourteen at the time. After enough noise making I was put principal but now that I reflect on my high school years I think about how irrelevent it was compared to the other things I did in high school like playing in the Chicago Youth Symphony, or the major festivals that I did.
I say, if you aren't a serious hardcore player, just let it be but if you are hardcore, go out and look for other opportunities outside of high school band, you may just find they are much more fulfilling.
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Author: mkybrain
Date: 2004-09-27 01:41
i agree, when i was 2nd chair, i wanted 1syt chair so bad, now ive had it for a while and tis not a big deal, now i want, which wont happen bnut if it did id probably be looking at first at more national things, its just what u don't/can't have that u want
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2004-09-27 13:25
Challenge for 1st chair and if you loose work hard until you can take it.
Don't claw your way up the ladder as it just won't make a difference and cause hard feelings.
Afterall, you have to sit next to them!
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Author: FrankM
Date: 2004-09-27 14:28
It's strange....as a high school and college student playing the melody ( 1st chair) was a major priority...now after 30 years and countless concerts and gigs, I really enjoy playing and hearing the inner and especially the bottom voices in a piece...I love nothing more than playing the bass clarinet and wallowing in a low note....let the others play the melody...bring on the bass!
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Author: William
Date: 2004-09-27 15:39
Well said, Frank. After many years of being principal or first (and being every other clarinetists target), I, too, have finally "gotten over it" and have discovered the joy of bass (Prestige low C). And what makes bass playing (and clarinetting in general) even more fun--Legere reeds. With a good Legere, there are no more "bad reed gigs". And, you don't have to go through box after box, saliva only break-in proceedures, balancing sessions and constant rub downs to find one. After you discover the right strength, you just buy them and they play. For me, and my Grabner CXBS bass mpc, it's #3.0 that works the best. In fact, I'm now experimenting using Legeres on my soprano clarinets as well. The sound isn't quite what I am used to but there is certainly less time coping with problematic cane and more time enjoying the playing. I'm going to use Legere Bb reeds until Christmas, and then make a decision. Let y'all know which way I decide.
Caliplaya03 wrote, "My reed was really resistant so i squeaked like 2x's". So I write, with the right Legere, no problem....and possibly,ever more--if you can get used to them. Good luck with your next audition--many of us on this BB can symphathize with having that "bad audition" day. The important thing is, keep practicing and keep trying. If you get good enough, you'll eventually do OK.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2004-09-27 18:44
A first chair player should constantly keep his/her equipment in top notch condition as well as his/her playing ability. You've got to keep the cutting edge to remain on top. Bad reeds, leaky pads and other things are unacceptable at all times. To do this, one must be constantly practicing and keeping up with whether or not a reed tends to be a "squeaker" or not. When you put your instrument together you should have the confidence of a soloist/1st chair player because you know you are ready to play. You have spent the time with your instrument required in order to perform well at top level at any time.
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2004-09-27 19:18
Hey, Caliplaya03: Take things easy. Don't be mad, it's sort of like jealousy: just a waste of energy. Instead, use that energy to get where you want to be, which is the best. Right? So now, you are playing the second part, so be the best of the seconds. Don't take it as a given... no, make *sure* you're the best.
And don't go for a challenge to get to play the first part until you can play the second part with near perfection. Really. Convince your director (and yourself) that you really can be the best second. Then you should have a much better shot at being the best first.
And you have learned something you will never forget: ALWAYS go into a performance or audition with a reed that you know to be just what you like. And have at least one spare that's just as good in the case.
Regards,
John
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Author: Caliplaya03
Date: 2004-09-29 04:54
Thanks for all the responses guys! Well my band teacher will not allow any challenging this yr(except for in the french horn section), so there isnt really much i can do now. But im most likely going to be the section leader next yr so i thought that playing first would be important. But now i really dont care..ya i'm 1st chair of the second clarinets...and most of the parts are harder than the 1st(which isnt fun lol...) but ya it's ok. I know i will probably be playing solo clarinet(1st chair) next yr but i know now that it doesnt really matter what chair i am because all of the parts are important. Plus i made a big jump from my soph yr lol I was like 1st chair of the 3rd clarinets...and we had 11 last yr. Well i appreciate all the positive comments guys.
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Author: johnsonfromwisconsin
Date: 2004-09-29 13:34
Years ago, I was first chair in my section in highschool for three years starting as a sophomore. This brought me no small pride and feeling of importance.
I was such a conceited creep as I really cared nothing for the section as a whole.
-JfW
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