 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: BD
Date: 2005-03-07 17:51
i have been trying to figure out what to do for band next year. i have always played the clarinet in concert band, but began learning the sax earlyer this year. i know that i will be in the same band again next year where i do not feel challenged AT ALL. since i'm not going to get any better at clarinet playing in this band, should i switch to playing sax next year? it would envolve moving down 1 if not 2 bands, which i am ok with. also i'm not sure if my band director will let me do this or not. if any of you have done this or have any ideas for me please leave a comment
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-03-07 18:12
Don't do it!!! Sax is great for jazz band only - concert band parts usually stink. By all means play it for jazz band, but I'd stay with the Clarinet for the Concert Band.
My personal opinion only
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Author: Sheila-music_lover
Date: 2005-03-07 18:18
I agree, you are good with the clarinet, keep playing it, but why not join a beginners jazz band with ur sax?
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2005-03-07 18:33
Can you take up bassoon? Plenty challenging, and if you get good, you'll never be lacking for a gig.
________________
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
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Author: Marnix van den Berg
Date: 2005-03-07 19:06
If you do not feel challenged by the band, why not suggest some music that IS difficult/challenging to your director.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-03-07 19:19
BD wrote:
> since i'm not going to get any better at clarinet playing in this band,
Why are you relying solely on band to improve your clarinet playing?
Big mistake...
The majority of serious clarinet study (and improvement) happens outside of the band setting.
Why don't you also consider using your skill to help improve others who don't play as well as you?..GBK
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Author: music_is_life
Date: 2005-03-07 19:21
i'd do it- I'm thinking of doing the same thing, only I'd be switching to bass clarinet. Of course, I have experience with it, so I'd be in the same band... I'd say if you don't mind moving down, go ahead! I know that I am not challanged enough in my band and feel that sometimes I get bored and lose my embrochure or something. the only way I stay interested is either playing it by heart, embellishing it, or playing (by ear) another section's part. Not a solution of course! but I say make the change. Just make sure you still practice your clarinet plenty and get enough playing time with that, since I'm guessing it's your main instrument.
just my 2 cents
-Lindsie
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Author: Kel
Date: 2005-03-07 19:39
What DavidBlumberg said! Clarinet parts tend to be much more challenging that concert band sax parts. Stick with clarinet in concert band and you'll get parts that improve your basic musicianship. Work on sax at home and in jazz band to develop a good sax sound and you'll have both bases covered. If you do decide to change to sax in concert band go with alto or bari. Tenor concert band charts are mostly dull.
Also, it seems to me that if the clarinet parts in your current band don't challenge you, your musical skills should be such that you can play sax without going to lower a lower band.
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Author: Melissa
Date: 2005-03-07 22:48
I had the exact same problem as you and I DID switch to alto sax. However, like others said the parts were incredibly boring. I ended up switching back to the clarinet on my band directors request.
Have you tried playing outside of your band? I play in community theatre groups, community concert band, community youth orchestra, and any other groups that pop up. They tend to be much more challenging (at least compared to my school).
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Author: ClariBone
Date: 2005-03-08 02:17
I know how you feel, and sympathize!! I have been clarinet section leader since my sophomore year, sat first chair in the band since freshman year, made All-State, and do paying gigs, etc. My director convinced me to take up trombone for Jazz Band as he needed trombones. I LOVE IT!!! I WILL be playing trombone in band full-time next year (both marching and concert). However, I am a little worried, I don't want to hurt his feelings. However, its very discouraging to play in our band, as musicality is soo low. So, I would say, go for whatever makes you more happy, even if it hurts your directors feelings. However, beware the more-than -likely payback by the director!!!!!
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Author: johnsonfromwisconsin
Date: 2005-03-08 15:18
"Challenging" isn't allways about having running 16th notes and the melody line. Counting rests and learning to blend while bolstering the middle or lower parts of the band is an excersize in musicianship itself
If you take your study of the saxophone seriously, I would encourage you to play it in an legitimate ensemble setting for a time, especially if you're finding clarinet-work passe'. Playing an instrument solo is far different from playing with others. In my opinion you will come out of it with much more musical knowledge than by merely treading water in your current clarinet situation.
-JfW
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Author: Sheila-music_lover
Date: 2005-03-08 18:57
Its very frustrating being in a band where the musical level is below you! I understand. When someone doesn't practise, the band class becomes a glorified practice session for them. But as someone said before, sax parts can be quite dull. Is is possible for you to maybe move up in band with your clarinet and join a jazz band with your sax? If you could move down for the sax, why not move up with the cl? Just an idea.
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Author: BD
Date: 2005-03-08 19:35
i'll be a senior next year and my director will most likely move up the promising freshman so that they will have a strong base for two years from now. i did play in a jazz band this year with the sax (we meet after school) and had a blast with that
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Author: Pam H.
Date: 2005-03-10 03:41
I would stick with clarinet for concert band and sax for jazz band. I'm not sure how concert band parts are covered, but I know that in an orchestra the saxes often double french horns (alto) and trombones (tenor).
In the church orchestra that I play in, I play mostly clarinet and switch to sax for the occasional upbeat song where there is actually a cool part written for it.
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Author: Erdinet
Date: 2005-03-10 10:31
Being a band director, I would say stay with the clarinet in band. If you are as good a player as you say (and I see no reason not to take you at your word), you will have a greater impact on the sound of the band as a whole if you stay with the clarinet.
However, do not just slough off the alto saxophone parts thinking that they will "stink" compared to the Bb Clarinet parts. While they will more than likely not be playing melody quite as much, the alto sax (the entire saxophone section for that matter) plays a crucial, but as you can well see, not always well thought of, role in the concert band setting.
As for jazz band, I would recommend checking a tenor sax. With the growing popularity of the "Essentially Ellington" program and the relative ease of acquiring charts for it ($50 gets you 5 charts if you go to the EE website) you will have your hand MORE than full playing the Jimmy Hamilton / Barney Bigard parts. Talk about Clarinet playing. Much much more difficult than anything you would ever see in concert band.
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Author: Julie
Date: 2005-03-10 11:43
my 2 cents- stick with the clarinet! the sax really has no place in music other than pop or jazz, in my opinion. Be it orchestra or concert band, the sax just doesn't fit in. Clarinet parts are far better than sax parts and even though you are good, everyone should realize that perfection is in the eye of the beholder. Is the music really THAT easy? Some how I don't believe that you play without fault, and until then you should keep working at it. I understand your pain though. Suggest harder pieces to your director. Maybe it's time other people in the band are challanged a little and those who dont practice are put on the spot!
It's also good to help other people. I have ound that when I get bored and there isn't going to be anything harder, aside from being a complete perfectionist about the current music, I will help other more inexperienced players. just keep in mind this is all my OPINION and if you do not agree, that's fine. I hope this helps you in making a deision.
Post Edited (2005-03-10 11:46)
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Author: Aussiegirl
Date: 2005-03-11 07:02
I do know the feeling of being stuck in a band where you arent being challenged! Luckily, a thoughful brass teacher threw me in the deep end when he was forming a jazz band and put me on bari sax, which kept me entertained for a long time, still is in fact and im first year uni! Is there a way that you can play sax in one band and clarinet in a higher one? Im currently doing that at uni; playing bari in a less important ensemble for fun and clarinet in a "serious" one, and im finding that im improving as a musician as i learn to blend with a different section etc. And not all sax parts are boring, some of the most beautiful horn parts in concert band music are doubled by the alto saxes, giving you another challenge in your sound if not your technical work. Hope this helps!
Fiona
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