 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: William
Date: 2006-11-29 18:04
My personal opinion--you should always play the instrument that will make your performance sound best. Wheither you are playing in the Metropolitan Orchestra or outside in the neighborhood park, the quality of your musical art should not be compromised throught the use of an inferior instrument. In all of my years of concertizing--orchestral, band or jazz ensemble--I have always used my best pro model clarinets or saxophones (often both) and they all have survived "the elements" just fine. No cracks, going out of adjustments or excessive repairs--NOTHING. Instruments are much more durable than many musicians think and as long as they are handled properly--inside or out, humid or dry, chilly or hot--they will not suffer environmental damage. The use of a backup instrument--often cheaply built, accoustically inferior and more difficult or impossible to play well--is a disservice to your audience who expects to hear you at your artistic and musical best.
Simply put, to sound your best, use your best--Orchestra Hall or Grant Park under the sun.
Exceptions: marching bands and rain. Never play in rain.
Agree or not??? Discussion is what it's all about.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2006-11-29 18:13
If you do a lot of playing on a particular 'species' of instrument, it's good to have a backup instrument of comparable (or nearly-comparable) quality to your main axe, in case the main instrument goes down for maintenance or repair and you don't have time to get it fixed prior to the next gig.
Also, some gigs are notoriously 'dangerous' for horns (e.g. Top-40 or wedding bands, with drunken guests, dancers tripping all over themselves, etc.) with the attendant risk of your instrument(s) being knocked over on the bandstand. It does happen! Besides, given that certain forms of music are decidedly non-artistic, one wouldn't necessarily have to sound one's very best when playing, say, "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang -- I mean, it ain't Mozart.....
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-11-29 19:50
You are always judged by your last performance.
People remember how you sound now, not last week or last month.
Play your best equipment all the time, as long as there is no rain or extreme temperatures.
Clarinets are a lot sturdier than most people realize.
I do, however, in case of mechanical failure, carry a set of backup instruments (clarinets/ saxes/ flutes) with me at all times and leave them in the car...GBK
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-11-29 19:52
> Clarinets are a lot sturdier than most people realize...GBK
Clarinetists, on the other hand, .... ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif)
--
Ben
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Author: larryb
Date: 2006-11-29 20:12
I agree - I always play my best clarinet outdoors. Clarinets were made to be played out doors.
Of course, I don't have a back up, so it doesn't matter.
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2006-11-29 20:37
William:
Isn't a backup clarinet to be used only when your main clarinet fails "on the job"? Isn't it better to play a "decent" functional clarinet than to not play at all when the "good" clarinet isn't functional? Seems like it to me................
Sort of gets back to the idea that the great clarinetists can make an average clarinet sound great while the average clarinetists can make a great clarinet sound only average. I'd rather hear a great clarinetist on his backup than not at all.
MOO,
Matt
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Author: D
Date: 2006-11-29 21:14
what I REALLY want to hear is a great player on MY back up,...................then I'd probably be really depressed,....................but on the other hand, I might be really inspired!
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Author: Markael
Date: 2006-11-30 02:05
Obviously, there is no one right answer to this question.
It's like buying insurance. How much do you buy? Most of us make some kind of compromise.
In an ideal world we could all afford top quality instruments for our main axes and equally good instruments for backups.
But--
In an ideal world we wouldn't need backups because nothing would ever go wrong with our instruments.
This much stands to reason: The more gigs you have, the more advisable it would be to have a back up. And, with any luck, the gigs will provide some cash to help pay for the extra expense.
All things considered, most of us do pretty well to break even.
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Author: vin
Date: 2006-11-30 03:33
I keep backup horns for education shows and teaching lessons. That being said, I am very sure that nobody could tell the difference by listening to me play. A "back-up" clarinet doesn't have to mean a bad one.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2006-11-30 03:44
A backup is great when you need to send number one clarinet to the shop for repairs or the occasional overhaul or adjustment.
A backup is a great idea when your number one clarinet suffers a mysterious "illness" and won't play well right before or during a gig or an extended gig. This could be when you are in the middle of a 7 day concert series or other embarassing moments. A clarinetist I played with in Israel last year had something like that happen to her one and ONLY brand new Bb Wurlitzer clarinet. She suddenly (right before a solo) couldn't get a sound out of the instrument. Although she lived just a couple of blocks from the concert hall and her husband was backstage and could have gone to get a "backup" she had no backup. So, I played her solo. It was nice for me but a nightmare for her.
A backup is good for bad weather (extreme heat or cold).
I can think of many more good reasons for backup instruments.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-11-30 04:23
"A clarinetist I played with in Israel last year had something like that happen to her one and ONLY brand new Bb Wurlitzer clarinet..... Although she lived just a couple of blocks from the concert hall"
Do you remember who? I didn't know anyone in Israel played a Wurlitzer or even a German system clarinet. Where was the concert (i.e. the city she lived in)?
Thanks.
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Author: DressedToKill
Date: 2006-11-30 06:11
I always, always, ALWAYS take two clarinets to a gig, and recently, I just found out why.
I was doing an off-Broadway show, and my fellow reed player was having HORRIFIC problems with his R-13. It would absolutely not play at all, and by intermission, he was near nervous breakdown.
I whipped out my Leblanc Infinite, handed it to him, and the show went on for the next week while his Buffet was at the doctor's. (I also believe I have gained a Leblanc convert, but that's a whole other tale...)
You just never know when having a spare horn will come in handy.
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2006-11-30 12:08
I'm making my stupid pet human type this for me. All of Lelia's screech-sticks are backup cl*r*n*ts. The correct way to use a back-up instrument is to take it out of its case, lay it in the driveway and back the car up over it. Then drive the car forward over it and then back up over it again. Perform this ritual execution several times to make sure. And let your cat watch and supervise.
Death to the screech-sticks!
Sssssssssssst!
Shadow Cat
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: Tom Puwalski
Date: 2006-11-30 12:55
In twenty years I traveled and performed solos with the U.S Army Field band. I always had an exactly "redundant" clarinet in my overhead of the bus. Identical in every detail, worked on by the same repair tech, same mouthpiece, even a reed holder with reeds I had played tested and worked on. These were my personal clarinets, not army issue, and all work done was paid for by me. A clarinet is a machine, machines break, deal with it! I also had a 3rd Bb clarinet, boxed up ready for my wife to overnight it if, G-d forbid, something ever happened to both my primary horns. Am I paranoid, hell yea, do I believe that Murphy's law most defiantly.
Part of the problem, is the religious like reverence people hold some of their equipment. I've made it my practice to not play on anything I can't replace tomorrow. This is a big problem if you can only sound good on a Kaspar that your teacher got from a student of Marcellus back in the 60s.
oh indecently, the only time I ever needed my "spare" clarinet was a night in Cheyane Wyoming, when a member of my section clarinet cracked and someone else had used the section spare, which I had packed also. It was all ready in the hall, warmed up and I didn't have to go to the bus and get it.
Tom Puwalski, former soloist with the US Army Field Band, Clarinetist with Lox&Vodka, and Author of "The Clarinetist's Guide to Klezmer"and most recently by the order of the wizard of Oz, for supreme intelligence, a Masters in Clarinet performance
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2006-11-30 14:06
Clarnibass, my fellow clarinetist's name for the orchestra that year was Martine from the Netherlands. I'm not going to give out her last name on a public forum. She lived close to the concert hall (again, I'm not giving out her address). We played at the ICCJ (International Conference Center Jerusalem) for a series of events the week of Sukkot, Oct. 16-23 as part of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem's orchestra. At that time she had just moved to Israel with her new husband 2 weeks before the event and was not playing on a professional circuit at the time. She had a new set of Wurlitzers that she had been using in Netherlands. She also used a German mouthpiece and wrapped her reed with a string.
She is expecting a baby, so I doubt she's playing much at the moment, but she is still living in Jerusalem.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-11-30 16:30
Thanks Brenda. No problem about not advertising her last name or address. I was just surprised that there was someone playing a German system clarinet in my area so was curious. I'm actually in Jerusalem and live a few minutes from that hall.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2006-11-30 17:57
hi,
I always play my best instruments for gigs (alto, tenor, and clarinet) but try to use my backups for a rehearsal here and there. I figure that the BUs need to come out of the dark closet from time to time and join the other "family" members.
I do like Tom Puwalski's idea of playing only on standard equipment. I think I have unconsciously done that though. I now play on very standard MPs on all my instruments. And my instruments are standard Selmer, Yamaha, and Leblanc models.
BTW, backups are very important with computers as well. If you have not done so, get a USB HD by Iomega or a similar vendor and back up your HD often. Having just experienced a massive motherboard failure, I was back up and running in a short time with no lost emails or important data.
HRL
Post Edited (2006-11-30 18:20)
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2006-11-30 20:52
Clarnibass, I'll get in touch next year when I come to play. I'll arrange tickets for you for one of the evenings and you can come backstage and visit with us. The Prime Minister usually comes for one of the evenings. We only know which one by the lengthy security checks and the earlier than usual call time.
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Author: Lobo
Date: 2006-11-30 21:09
If you are marching with your clarinet on a football field or in a parade, use your cheaper, plastic backup.
(a) No one can hear the clarinets over the brass anyway.
(b) No one is expecting a symphonic-quality performance.
(c) You're in a uniform and indistinguishable to your audience, although your mother might be able to pick you out.
(d) There is a much higher than usual probability your instrument will get damaged.
(e) There's a good chance your fingers will stiffen up from the cold or that you'll break your reed when you accidentally jam it into your teeth, so the quality of your instrument is the least important factor in your performance.
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2006-12-01 00:27
I can play the weddings I do on either C or Bb clarinet, so they back each other up.
And I have been lucky. Once, during an extended hora, a 3-year-old kid grabbed the C off my peg. His mother took it away from him before any damage was done, but I keep the peg well back of the edge of the stage now.
Spare electronics are a must if you are amplified. I always have a spare mike and clip. My cable case has every type of cable the people I work with might need. Putting a small mixer and powered speaker into the car is also a good idea.
A while ago, I bought a direct box, and ended up not needing it, but it was a life-saver for exactly one bass player. And when I use the last of a particular type of cable on a job, I go buy another to use as a spare.
In the few cases when I needed a spare, it has always been someone else with the failed or forgotten equipment. Having spares sure takes the worry out of being close.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2006-12-01 00:42
Ralph,
"during an extended hora?" Like how long! The 3 year-old must have gotten cranky.
HRL
PS I saw Eric the other day and he ends his regards.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-12-01 06:09
"Clarnibass, I'll get in touch next year when I come to play."
Cool, Brenda. I remember this year you said you couldn't come, and also I was abroad exactly at the same time. I think you said you also usually perform at Brechat Hasultan (Sultan's Pool) which is also very close to me.
"The Prime Minister usually comes for one of the evenings. We only know which one by the lengthy security checks and the earlier than usual call time."
I'll come even if the prime minister is going to be there
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2006-12-01 13:47
Clarnibass, I didn't get to go this year because I had a series of what the doctor thought were light strokes. Actually, thankfully, the episodes turned out to be small blood clots in my brain that dissolved quickly and no damage. But, in July (when the war was happening) I had 3 episodes of sudden blindness followed by a day or two of confusion. Now, no old people jokes, confusion is not normal for me. So, I had to give up my seat in the orchestra this year. However, because I'm totally well now and cleared by my doctor to travel again, I'll be back in the fall again.
The Sultan's Pool event is always sold out and we can't get extra tickets to that. But, I can get you in to one of the other nights. We did an outdoor concert at Ein Gedi also, and we used to do one at Qumran before they decided there was too much important historical stuff there.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2006-12-02 17:33
Thank you, Ralph. Your kind words are appreciated. Actually, after an MRI, echo dopplar carotid, echo EKG, standard EKG, tons of blood work and lots of other things, it turned out I was taking a medication that had caused the blood clots. So, not taking that seemed to fix things. However, I do have a bit stricter regime of stuff and have to go in every 3 months for tests and exams.
Must be getting old. I'm sounding like my parents. Anyway, not to worry. I'm really doing a lot better now than before the episodes. However, that sudden blindness stuff really gets your attention. Thankfully, each episode only lasted a few minutes. The confusion also went away after a day or so.
Post Edited (2006-12-02 17:41)
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2006-12-02 18:12
Hank,
Here are the official terms:
- "Extended" is more than 20 minutes without stopping.
- "Long" is more than 30 minutes without stopping.
- "Extra long" is more than 40 minutes without stopping.
We haven't gone longer than 45 minutes without stopping (the caterer complained.)
Ralph
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-12-02 18:13
Brenda, I hope you can come next year, because that would probably mean you are not sick, right? Anyway, I was just saying I'm close to Brechat Hasultan to say I can come there too. I can probably come to any of the concerts that are in Jerusalem. Thanks!
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-12-02 18:22
clarnibass wrote:
> Brenda, I hope you can come next year, because that would
> probably mean you are not sick, right? Anyway, I was just
> saying I'm close to Brechat Hasultan to say I can come there
> too. I can probably come to any of the concerts that are in
> Jerusalem. Thanks!
[ Please continue any personal conversations off-line. Thanks - GBK ]
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-12-07 11:49
Sorry about bringing this thread back up with another personal post.
Brenda - can you please email me (the address is there if you click on my username)? There is something I would like to ask you, and your email is not under your username.
Thanks.
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Author: Merlin
Date: 2006-12-07 11:57
I have a backup clarinet.
I was playing a concert about a year and a half ago, and decided to swab my clarinet at the break. Swab got stuck, and all of a sudden I was in need of my backup!
Fortunately, the concert was a 5 minute drive from where I was living at the time. I got back with it just in time for the second half.
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Author: William
Date: 2006-12-07 15:33
What I was really complaining about was the musician who uses a backup--and usually inferior--instrument for outside concerts saving the *good* one for the more "serious" inside events. In particular, there is this clarinetist in my community who chooses to use her older clarinet for our summer evening band concerts--eventhough we play under a park shelter completely protected from the "elements"--and saves her precious Leblanc Opus for her orchestral concerts. My opinion is that we owe it to our audiencies--as well as our own reputations--to always "play our best" no matter what or where the performing venue and that is usually facilitated by using our best sounding and "in tune" equipement.
(However, I will conceed to the use of a plastic clarinet for those of us who still choose to play in marching bands or in the snow :-}
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2006-12-07 16:34
William, I tend to agree with you about people using poor quality instruments on concerts. One of the clarinetists I play with bought a very cheap Chinese clarinet with absolutely horrible intonation problems. I did complain to her about it and told her I hope she doesn't bring it to any outdoor concerts. So far she hasn't brought it.
That type of instrument is not a good choice for a backup instrument.
However, there are many really nice hard rubber and plastic clarinets (such as the Tom Ridenour and The Doctor's Forte)around that serve us well in really extreme temperatures and are usually just fine for outdoor efforts. The line should be drawn when the instrument doesn't play well and won't stay in tune. I also agree that we should use our best instruments in every possible situation. If the backup isn't a good quality instrument, it should be given to Goodwill or something.
Clarnibass, I've sent you an email.
Post Edited (2006-12-07 16:41)
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-12-07 19:47
William,
It's nice to think about the audience - but believe me: the player's effort makes 80% of the joy, the equipment maybe 20. I don't really mind what gear someone is bringing, as long as the impetus is right. "Play the best" means the player, not the horn. (wasn't it Bocuse who said that it's easy to create a masterpiece meal out of #1 ingredients, but in his opinion the really great cook was able to create a meal out of simple ingredients like carrots, celery and potatoes ?)
Disclaimer: I may have potatoes in my ears, but not between them.
--
Ben
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Author: YoungFlarinet
Date: 2006-12-07 22:33
I agree that you should play your best instrument at all times, but I try not to play them if I know I'm going to be playing outside for quite a few hours. I had the sun bleach the wood a little on one of my clarinets, I'm not sure if that was from a chemical reaction between the sunscreen or what, but yeah. I know the sunscreen helped tarnish the plating (I can't remember if nickel or silver) on my really old plastic clarinet during band camp. But other than that, yes. Play your best clarinet always.
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