 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: chipper
Date: 2005-12-20 14:14
perhaps nostalgia for you seasoned vets. I turn 50 the day after Christmas and have been playing for just two short years. November of this year I was accepted into our community civic band as third clarinet. The band has existed since 1910 and the other third clarinet has played with them since 1948, so I have a strong mentor and a group with history. But I've never played with a band before. So I posted after the first practice about feeling like a deer in the headlights. To keep up with a group is so much different than blowing away in one's own living room. They keep going and don't stop if I loose my place! Imagine that! But after just four practice sessions and three concerts I'm developing strategies to fit in. "Do no harm" is easier said than done. One could simply sit and listen but that wouldn't be playing now would it? But to come in at the wrong time, in the wrong key, or even playing the wrong passage because you think the band is where they're not. Yikes. So here's a strategy for you new players: First, play only the parts you can. Don't attempt anything else. Simply sit and listen durring those times. COUNT! Then take the music home and practice the rifs you had to sit out. Over and over untill your kids put themselves up for adoption and your wife runs off with your bank account and best friend. Why, even my cat moved three doors down. But I got it down. Then at the next practice or concert, play what you can and chime in with your newly learned riffs. Maybe you get one or two in. The next time you'll get three or four. By the time you are starting to get comfortable the season will change and you will be presented with a brand new set of chalenges. In this case, it's marches in cut time. Aggggghhhh! Oh well, here we go again. Hey Honey, didn't you want to take the kids on vacation this winter? I think the cat wants to go too.
Play well and enjoy
Carl
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-12-20 14:47
Carl, It sure sounds like you have arrived, and are now a dedicated band player. Congrats. Having played in all sorts of bands, orchs and groups for more than 70 years, I still lose my place, key sig., etc at times in our comm. band. I'm usually the only bass cl and certainly am the only alto cl [!], BUT am unafraid of playing out my "solo", important, passages when I find them in the usual harmony function assigned to those insts. I'm a bit more cautious at concerts, but overdid it at our Chr concert, messing up some difficult fingering in our Tski [sp?] "Nutcracker", hopefully not too noticeably. I did notice a few other "gliches", conclusion, not all of us are pros !! Keep at it, its FUN. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: chipper
Date: 2005-12-20 15:06
More than seventy years, Don? You are indeed blessed as are the listeners. Here's to many more. Thanks for the encouragement.
C
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Author: Gandalfe
Date: 2005-12-20 15:16
Carl, set some goals for yourself. After a 27 year break, my goal the first year with our community band was to play one solo. Granted, I had all my school years of experience. But I've got to tell you playing that solo was scary. The next year my goal was to play a solo in the jazz ensemble. This year my goal was to play first chair sax.
I started playing clarinet this year and my goal next year is to play a third clarinet part in a concert. I'm currently working on a goal to make moving through the break invisible in my playing. And I still think sax fingerings when reading music which can throw me for a loop.
I'm working to establish a clarinet choir in 2006. We have so many great clarinet players, which wasn't always the case. I've purchased a lot of music towards this end and we'll see how it goes. Even I can play the fourth clarinet parts which tend to be made up of notes in the Chalumeau range.
I've transcribed two famous clarinet solos, one by Eddie Daniels and one by Pete Fountain. Maybe in year two I will work towards performing a solo in a concert. No goal is too outrageous. :o)
Jim and Suzy
Pacifica Big Band
Seattle, Washington
Post Edited (2005-12-20 18:20)
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-12-20 15:37
It's good you can play in a community band with no prior band experience. Our band requires at least high school level experience. So, unless you had developed your skills on your own to the point of at least high school, you wouldn't be able to play. Good for you. Keep up the hard work. Our community band is a fun experience, as well as a challenging one. The friendships are also quite rewarding.
I agree about the goals. Keep setting them. Of course, right now you may be like a beginning swimmer--just trying to keep your head above water and stay afloat. It'll get easier.
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Author: Tony Beck
Date: 2005-12-20 16:15
Carl,
Welcome to community band playing! I’m just a couple years ahead of you, both in age and community band experience. I was invited into the Charleston (SC) band about a year and a half ago, after ~20 years of not playing. I started off at the far end of the third section, got a “battlefield promotion” to second part and have taken up residence there. It has worked out better than I expected actually. The other two seconds are very helpful and non-judgmental, which has immeasurably improved my playing. Still, I also have gone through all of your problems.
I do play pretty much everything in practice, mistakes and all, as long as I’m not lost. If I just can’t get it down before a concert, I’ll sit that part out. Our director (a full time USMC band director) has no problem with this, and in fact encourages everyone to press on regardless. If I get lost, I’ll jump ahead to a distinctive section and wait for the band to catch up. This works as long as there aren’t too many D/S’es. When there’s an opportunity, my stand partner will cue me (and occasionally vise versa).
By the way, our cat seems to like my playing, and I can even meow back (clarion f-e-f slur), but both my wife and daughter have threatened to move on occasion.
Community bands are a lot of fun and will make you a better musician. Welcome to the brotherhood!
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Author: ron b
Date: 2005-12-20 21:44
There is no time like the present to do the things you love doing. It 'sounds' to me like you're going at it in all the right ways. Here's wishing you a long and enjoyable band player experience.
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-12-20 22:41
Carl,
I'm not a seasoned vet quite yet, but I do congratulate you on doing what your doing. Sure is a lot of fun, right?!?!!? Awesome on taking that community band step and sticking with it.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2005-12-20 23:15
First and foremost you need a band. right?
Duh. There comes the first problem. :(
I envy you, chipper.
--
Ben
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2005-12-22 04:56
Way to go. I started sax about three years ago and shortly after that helped form a community band. I have found it to be really helpful to my playing. Especially in dynamics and expression. Plus, the commaradarie is terrific. We have players who are both better and worse than I am, so we all help each other. Keep at it.
Leonard
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