 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Laurie
Date: 2000-05-07 04:32
Hey.
Is anyone on this board from New York ? or is anyone farmilliar with Nysma ? Nysma is basically when you go and play for a judge a level song, just for their opinion. If your good enough you can be called back for county/state auditions, yet it's mainy for a second opinion on your playing, from someone that dosn't know you from a teacher, friend, director's point of view.
I've been told by everyone that I have to do this. That it's 'good for me', and a 'worth while cause'. But the truth is :
1. I'm terrified.
2. I'm having a lot of trouble with my solo. It's a grade 4 - Sonatina by Gordon. I mean, i'm a talented player,first chair etc, yet i'm just having serious problems. I know it's not the level ( in band i'm playing a grade 6 piece ( Variations on a Korean Folk song)and I just don't like it - it's too sad, mopey, not upbeat, fast, high energertic notes..ya know ? I'm ending up getting soo frustrated that i just want to quit. I'm walking out of lessons upset and that is somethign that i never do. I mean, everything I do seems to be wrong. Everything .. my sence of rythem is always off, articulations are incorrect, dymanics are impossible. I'm miserable.
My question - Is it worth it truthfully ? Help pleaseee...
Laur.
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Author: Bino
Date: 2000-05-07 08:41
It sounds to me like ya need a break...When's the last time you took a break from playing?...You can't practice for hours straight without a mental break...Along the same lines you can't keep playing for years straight without a break...Do whatever it takes to relax your mind of all the stress that you are having and enjoy the music...MY question to you is: Do you really NEED this second opinion?
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Author: Amber
Date: 2000-05-08 03:14
Isn't Korean cool! I played it on both Bb and bass and both parts are awesome, which is really rare.
As to your question, we have something like that on the west coast...I forget what they are called. I did one and it was fine. It is just an opinion, not a rating. I met alot of cool people, learned a lot of new tricks andsongs, and got to try other sorts of clarinets. People are a lot more friendly and relaxed since it isn't a comp. It is just for fun. And sadly...I learned I was not perfect and I still have a lot to learn :o( *sniff sniff* But I learned about my strenghs and weaknesses and a new way to work on it.
So in other words, I think you should do it, but don't stress out about it. You can keep the results to yourself if you like. But remember, clarinet is cool and fun, make sure you keep it that way! :o)
In other words
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Author: LJClarinetGuy
Date: 2000-05-09 00:27
Hey there Laurie, I agree with the others, a good break for a day or two may really be what you need. Usually during the week I practice so much that by the weekend I sometimes don't want to touch my clarinet bag at all, so I just relax and have fun aside from playing. After a couple of days you might feel more relaxed and even more eager to play. Or, instead of playing, maybe you should just try reading your music along with a recording, or several recordings, in order to better understand how to add your own expression. IMHO, studying what other ppl may do on a piece can help when considering what you want to do with it.
I do think playing for other ppl is a good part of playing overall. It's alright to tell yourself that your good, and you may realize some of your limitations, but when you get the opinion of someone else, you get to hear another point of view. Yes it may be different but it doesn't have to be bad. I think you're tensing up too much about having to do it, rather than going in to play to a person, go in to play your music for yourself and enjoy it as much as possible.
As for your solo, don't worry, I think ur problems are coming from being scared of playing for a judge. You may think it isn't, but it might be gnawing at the back of your mind. I myself am doing the first two mvts of the Saint-Saens Sonata for Clarinet for Texas State Solo & Ensemble in the next three weeks, and I still have to memorize it aside from getting the fingers down with my tonguing. BTW, I've never played Korean Folk Songs, but I've heard it a little, one of drummers played it in the 9th grade Region Band four yrs ago (we're seniors) I have played Molly on the Shore, Fiesta del Pacifico, Rocky Point Holiday, La Procession du Rocio for contest both last year and this year, as well as Symphony No 3 "Slavanskaya (sp?)" for TMEA All-State this year. Lots of hard and high notes to get down at really fast speeds (eg Rocky Point has runs up and down at 184 although we played at 160) and it was a lot of fun, so keep up the hard work, but don't forget to give yourself a break every now and then.
-Joey-
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Author: Al
Date: 2000-05-10 18:25
Do it, Laurie.
You're reacting the way everybody does. It's normal.
I've taught clarinet for many years and have also been a NYSSMA judge for many years.
Nobody's out there to embarass you.
Remember that you must prepare seven major scales from memory; just one octave up and down for Level IV, and thete's no speed requirement.
They'll also give you 8 bars to sight read. Level IV does not exceed 2 sharps or 3 flats. You might get one in cut time or 6/8. Ask your teacher to be very specific about the requirements. They're in the latest NYSSMS Manual.
By all means, do it. I've taught the Sonatina(Gordon) to a number of students. It's not an overwhelmingly difficult Level IV.
Now take a deep breath and just go do it! You'll never regret it.
Best Wishes,
AL
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Author: Kylene
Date: 2000-05-11 20:18
Hey! I survived many years of NYSSMA festivals and all of that stuff...if you want to talk about it/ask questions/vent or anything just say the word. I have been through it, and I know how frustrating practicing those solos that you hate can be. I just finished my sophomore year in college (SUNY Fredonia), but I went to NYSSMA on clar and sax for years...western NY zone (I THINK we are zone one...)
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Author: Sarah
Date: 2000-05-11 21:06
Don't worry about the NYSSMA. I participated in it for 7 years. It's a great experience. It's also very rewarding. I made it in the All county band for years.
If you are that frustrated with your solo maybe you should have picked another one. There are many solos to chose from, you know.
Also, have you considered taking lessons from a different teacher? Maybe it's your teacher who is intimidating you. When I was in high school I took private lessons from Eastman school of Music. That helped me a lot with rhythms and counting strategies. I can sight read almost anything now.
Good luck with your decision. What part of New York do you live in? I live near Buffalo and Rochester.
So, good luck again. Try solofest. it will be a good experience.
Sarah
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