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 Looking for a unique clarinet solo
Author: TinyE 
Date:   2006-01-22 21:57

I am a member of a vaudeville/burlesque troupe, and we've been asked to come up with 'signature numbers'. Since there are already lots of dancing numbers, I was hoping to find a clarinet piece to perform. But, I need something that's short (less that 3 minutes), and has the potential to have a funny/cute/goofy storyline or skit based around it. And preferrably accompanied by piano. I was going to use "Immer Kleiner" but at a little over 5 minutes the piece is too long. (Basic skit idea for that one was going to be whenever I lost a piece of the clarinet, I also lost a piece of clothing... hey, it IS burlesque). Think cheesy, entertaining, making the audience laugh. If anyone can recommend any pieces that may work, please let me know! Thanks!

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 Re: Looking for a unique clarinet solo
Author: tictactux 2017
Date:   2006-01-22 23:33

The Muppet Show theme? Okay, too cheesy.

Hi-ho (Disney's Snow White). Cheesy, yes.

Bei mir bist Du scheen?

Sax solo in "will you?" Too sad, maybe.

You could pick up Gelsomina's trumpet theme from La Strada if you were into "thoughtful" moments but I bet this has been beaten to death from nearly every road theater.

Oh mein Papa... (okay, see above)

Patty Smith's Hymn. Too solemn.

There's a whole lot of suitable folk tunes out there. There's more than just old McDonald's...

Maybe you tell us what character you [mostly] have in that troupe...

--
Ben

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 Re: Looking for a unique clarinet solo
Author: Chalumeau Joe 
Date:   2006-01-22 23:46

Some that immediately come to mind that meet your funny/cute/goofy requirement include:

1. Cakewalking Babies From Home
2. A Good Man is Hard to Find
3. Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives to Me
4. Five Foot Two
5. Sheik of Araby (use the slightly naughty "With no pants on" lyric option if you're going to sing)

These are all classics, and the lead part is easily adapted for either trumpet or clarinet. Truly fun stuff to play.

Joe

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 Re: Looking for a unique clarinet solo
Author: Chalumeau Joe 
Date:   2006-01-23 01:15

Hmmm, upon reflection upon my previous post, I thought that I should have asked how risque your act is. As you are a student of the burlesque motif, I'm sure you're thoroughly familiar with the unique talents of "Le Petomane" (for those who don't, just Google it...it won't take long).

You could do a more "family friendly"" version of Le Petomane's famous impersonations by disassembling parts of your clarinet and making all sorts of obnoxious-sounding noises each time you do it. (TO BE CLEAR: I AM SUGGESTING YOU USE YOUR ** CONVENTIONAL** EMBROCHURE).

Tweaking various parts of your body while tooting your horn (a la Harpo Marx) could get interesting. I will leave the creative suggestions to your imagingation. (I also want to continue to retain my membership on this Bulletin Board.)

Swithching from an A clarinet to a C clarinet would probably only appeal to a very limited audience.



Post Edited (2006-01-23 02:22)

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 Re: Looking for a unique clarinet solo
Author: Tom A 
Date:   2006-01-23 01:45

The "Immer Kleiner" idea is cute. Couldn't you make a couple of cuts?

Now for the public spanking...

----------------------------------------------

Baldrick, you wouldn't recognise a subtle plan if it painted itself purple and danced naked on a harpsichord singing "Subtle plans are here again". - Edmund Blackadder

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 Re: Looking for a unique clarinet solo
Author: TinyE 
Date:   2006-01-23 02:38

To answer Chalumeau Joe's question: we are definitely not for the family. However, we try to keep things from getting TOO nasty... one of our slogans is "More Class Than @ss." Also, by law, the skimpiest you can go is pasties. Not that everyone does, or even has a tease element in their act. That's why we do the vaudeville stuff too.
And for Tictactux, here's my bio that gets printed in all the programs:
"Anita Mandalay: With a name like thta you're destined to become part of a group like this. Anita was found abandoned by the slot machines in the casino at Mandalay Bay. The showgirls took her in and raised her as one of their own. Among the many gentleman callers of her adoptive family, she learned to play every instrument known to man (and some that aren't...). Anita became known for her ability to to play horns simultaneously. On a much needed vacation, Miss Effie caught Anita's act. She could play the clarinet in a way Miss Effie had never seen. Anita was invited to Effie's Home for Wayward Girls where her talents have been nurtured and appreciated by new audiences again and again."
Besides being a musician, my individual character is a more coy, goofy, seemingly innocent (but not really... maybe the 'naughty librarian' analogy?) type of character.
Thanks for your suggestions guys!

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