 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ClariBone
Date: 2005-02-01 22:44
Hey!!
I have two questions for you guys. What do you think of the new Bois Ligatures??? They are spherical and thin and are supposed to allow the reed to vibrate more freely. Only $15 at Missouri Music Educators Association's Conference at Tan-Tar-A (bought it while rehearsing with the All-State Band), so I thought it was worth a try. Have any of you guys tried it?? What do you think?? Also, after rehearsing with the All-State Band, I returned to high school and discovered that the band is really bad. I'm kinda depressed, have any of you guys experienced the same thing?? How did you get over it???
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-02-01 22:49
You have to encourage others to practice and achieve excellence.
And do a summer festival ikf you can - that way you will have somethingmusically satisfying to look forward to at 2 different times of the year.
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Author: clarinetist04
Date: 2005-02-02 00:27
Ah, yes. The I-just-played-in-a-good-group-and-now-have-to-go-home woes. It happens to the best of us and you have to bear through it. If you try your hardest and inspire others to try THEIR hardest, you may find that the band will improve as well. It takes encouragement and practice. You show set an example for the younger and less-experienced players.
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Author: Bigno16
Date: 2005-02-02 10:28
Yeah, our high school band has declined in the last few years. So I had some extra motivation to make Districts last year. And since I didn't get an All-State rec., I set my goal for this year back then, to make All-States. And yes, I just accomplished that. So, I'll be having the good band-bad band woes again soon enough.
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Author: Terry Stibal
Date: 2005-02-02 15:11
Experiencing a "really good" group at an All-State organization should not only be expected but in reality compensated for. If you're good enough to make that grade, then it's a sign that you'll be dealing with a different level of musicianship (for want of a better word), and (in effect) you will need to act a bit differently than you do during your normal rehearsals and so forth.
The high school and college years are somewhat unique in that it's the only period that most musicians will experience the closest thing to working in the music field (i.e., music as a "job" rather than for fun). You don't get compensated in money, but the pressure to "make the grade" tends to put an edge on your playing and conduct that just isn't there when you're doing it for fun.
With that in mind, the work style environment means you'll experience all levels of competence, good, bad and indifferent. Some will be going through the motions, some will be incapable of doing any better, and some will be competing every bit as much as you.
Like in the real work world that most have to deal with post education, it takes all kinds to make an organization work. Some groups may have to use "substandard" help in whatever field, and some may be protecting a chosen one who can't do the work but has a benefactor who keeps them employed. As in real life, so too in the world of school and bands and the like.
The trick is to do your very best, to inspire those who need and want the encouragement to bring their level up to yours or beyond, and to ignore the "nay sayers" and cynics. (You're not going to change their opinion in any event, so just don't let it get to you.)
Much like life in the real world, actually...
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2005-02-02 15:57
ClariBone -
Everyone comes home from all-state to think "How can I soar with eagles when I have to work with turkeys." There are several things to try.
Although it doesn't help much now, remember that when you go to college, it's unlikely that you'll be #1. Rather, you'll find plenty of good people to play with.
When you get out of college, unless you're one of the very few who land a full-time playing job, you'll need to find good people yourself. The time to start learning to do this is now. For example:
-- If the band has good enough principal players, form a woodwind quintet. If you're missing, say, a bassoonist, scout around to the other schools in town to find one. (If everybody except one is from your band, this can cause hurt feelings and political problems. It's better to gather the best players in town from several schools.)
-- Form a clarinet quartet or a city-wide clarinet choir. Ask your teacher to help, but you should do most of the work. If there are fights over who gets to play 1st chair, propose rotating, or volunteer to play bass or contra. This leaves you in control and will be GREAT experience for future work. You will also get an extra performance at the solo-and-ensemble contest and the next band concert.
-- Play mini-concerts in people's homes, civic clubs and churches. Nursing homes are popular, and you get a lot of appreciation.
Finally, you'll probably always be the best player in the room. If all you do is play your part perfectly, you'll always be seething when other people can't keep up. Part of your job is to help others play better, not by correcting their mistakes but by adjusting to them. so that you stay together. If there's no 2nd oboe player that day, jump to that part (if the band director will let you). You'll be plugging a gap and learning to transpose at the same time.
When you play duets, and you're the better player, if you play strictly in rhythm, things will break down quickly. Instead, make it your goal to keep things going. Listen just as hard to the other player as you do to yourself and constantly adjust so that the two of you are together. This is quite a bit more difficult than just playing your part. It teaches you an essential skill and broadens your understanding of the music.
I play a lot of recorder, usually with people who can't quite keep up with me technically. I always play less than my share of the top part and take the bottom part instead. When I lay down a steady foundation, I carry everyone else on my shoulders, and we all play better.
Many things can be satisfying and also improve your playing. Learn to play Eb, alto, bass and contra. Learn the saxes. Get comfortable on flute. Learn bass clef. Practice transposing -- up a step, up 1/2 step, down 1/2 step.
Above all, take charge and find good people to play with. Nobody will do it for you, but it's very possible. Believe me, that great oboist at the school across town is just as eager as you are to have an equal to play with.
Get started today. Report back in two weeks on your progress.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Mandy's Mom
Date: 2005-02-02 17:53
Mr. Shaw, I was so impressed by the wisdom of your comments.
I am planning to share them with my daughter, who is often in the position of playing duets with kids who are not as far down the musical road as she is.
It is a true lesson in life, and in music.
Terry
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Author: ClariBone
Date: 2005-02-03 02:13
Thank you all for responding. Mr. Shaw I will try to implement your ideas as best as I can. My band director recently confiscated the eefer from me, and won't loan me an alto, bass or contra clarinet because "I have to have you on the Bb to strengthen the section". However I feel sometimes that if I left, they would be forced to step up instead of hiding behind me. Joplin, MO only has one high school, but I have already gotten together with the 1st and 2nd chair flutes who are really good. We are taking a trio to contest. Again Thank You all, and keep the comments coming!
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2005-02-03 14:09
ClariBone -
Call me Ken.
The band director is the boss. Don't challenge him.
However, don't give up either. When I was in high school, there was a junior high band that met on Saturday mornings, and I went there to play flute.
Get together with good people at lunch time, after school or at home. Keep looking for places to perform.
Things get easier as you do them.
Ken Shaw
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