 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: butterflymusic
Date: 2007-07-05 06:14
Like many musicians in the US, July 4 is a busy day. My community band , in which I play principal clarinet, played at the local city 4th of July observance. One of our pieces was a version of "Sing,Sing,Sing" arranged for concert band. I asked for, and got, the opportunity for an extended solo in the middle which in rehearsals went well. Today's performance -- not so good. Dry reed, some chirps, and I couldn't reach that high Bb not matter what. We have a couple more concerts when we'll perform it again and they'll probably they'll go better. But----geez, the whole freakin' city was there today, and I feel that I just sucked. Question for you seasoned performers --- how do you get past a not-so-good performance? Thanks for letting me vent....
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2007-07-05 11:59
Are you improvising the solo? How come the reed was dry?
For a not-so-god performance, you just "get over it" in time but probably do not forget. As far as "the whole freakin' city" knowing, check today's paper; nothing there? OK, your safe :-).
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Author: Ed
Date: 2007-07-05 12:39
Try to move past it. You can not change the past, only the future. Don't focus on your mistakes, but instead on all that you did well. Try to plan for those things that you can change- make sure your reed is better prepared, mentally prepare for your performance. Don't think about making mistakes. Remember that the audience is looking forward to hearing you play well and that your friends are behind you rooting for you. Everyone has an off night. Good luck.
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2007-07-05 13:27
The "joys" of live performance. There is no one in the world that hasn't made a mistake. Learn from yours, and be even better prepared next time.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2007-07-05 13:58
one word . . . . . "Legere".
If not for performance, for an instance just like above where your reeds just aren't behaving.
Not for nothing, but on all the recordings I have, some of the best of the best clarinets around in my opinion, I can hear occasional squawks or squeaks. It happens.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Dano
Date: 2007-07-05 14:02
I am sure if you asked around, no one would say, "nice concert but that clarinet on Sing, Sing, Sing sucked". I know what you are feeling. I feel that way after just about every gig. Even when I have people coming up to me telling me it was the best preformance. I just take it all in stride. There are always bad preformances to accept and unless you really, really squeaked several times, forgot the piece, fell off the stage, played the wrong end of your horn, not too many people notice. Having said all that, I don't think there is any "getting over it".
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Author: William
Date: 2007-07-05 15:01
It's been my experiance that audiencies are quite "forgiving" in their analysis of "what's good". Even after a particularily mediochre to BAD solo, many listeners will say "Wow--that was great" or "You played??" (suggesting many arn't really listening at all). Try to remember the good performance and resolve that the next one will go better. Next time, lick your reed an extra time, forget about last night and just go for it.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2007-07-05 15:19
Just remember - If someone comes up to you after you play, and says:
"I've never heard anything quite like it."
it might not be a compliment. ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif) ...GBK
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Author: clarinets1
Date: 2007-07-05 15:48
i recently had a bad audition, so i understand exactly how you feel. i felt like a huge loser and felt i should perhaps sell my horns, quit music, and become a neurologist. but after a few days of feeling sorry for myself, i had a couple good gigs, had some friends tell me that i won't win everything i audition for, and that it was cool just to try where so many people won't even take that first step.
you made a bold choice, and you carried it through. no one can fault you for that.
sorry for the rambling, hopefully you get my meaning.
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2007-07-06 02:07
What were the differences in the surroundings at the rehearsal vs. the performance?
I'm wondering if perhaps the rehearsal was indoors, and the performance was outdoors.
I've had the experience twice lately of playing an English Horn solo outdoors (both times in warm and humid circumstances). In the (indoor) rehearsals, everything flowed beautifully. At the outdoor performance, by the time my "moment" came around, the reed (same reed that had been wonderful a half-hour before) was balky and unresponsive, and felt like blowing popsicle sticks.
Perhaps this effect is more pronounced on double reeds, but I do believe the outdoor venue, with its attendant humidity and warmth, impacted the reed's performance negatively. In the future, I will try to accomodate for this possibility by choosing a lighter reed to start with.
Susan
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Author: SavvyClarinet
Date: 2007-07-06 13:41
First of all, remember that everyone who attended the concert does not know as much about music as you do. Many of the concert-goers might not even be able to tell the difference between a flute and a clarinet, let alone know that you messed up. I'm sure you did this, but no matter how badly you mess up, mess up with confidence.
As for getting over it, realize that nobody is perfect. Everyone faces bad reeds, notes that won't speak, etc. Those who improve are those that realize their mistakes and practice to avoid them in the future. But whatever you do, don't dwell on your mistake because it might make you nervous to play in the future. Whenever I performed a piece and complained about a mistake, she always said it was good enough just to get up in front of people and play my best. Even though that's not good enough sometimes. . . ;-)
Most importantly, just keep practicing and don't let this freak you out! After all, compare your good performances to your bad ones. Notice the difference?
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Author: claritoot26
Date: 2007-07-06 17:46
Ah, the reeds of summer. I'll second sfalexi's comment about Legere. Humidity and heat can wreak havoc on even the best of cane reeds. It is good to have a few of those around for situations just like you described. Best of luck in your future concerts!
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2007-07-06 19:08
It even happened to Goodman, and on record yet, with Toscanni. High b-flat? You are forgiven, if it's the one I'm thinking about. Keep a Legere handy. I played in 90 degree weather here in San Antonio, yes outdoors, many times. Fortunately it was at a a beer garden, so I squeaked by.
richard smith
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Author: Ajay
Date: 2007-07-06 20:26
I suffer from the same problem, of 'beating myself up' after performing. It helped me to realise that this is one of those things where gut instinct goes against what is actually sensible.
It is impossible to change what has already happened.
Once I came to terms with this, everything else seemed a lot better, because now if I think "that went badly" my reaction is "I'll do some more practice", rather than"AARGH".
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Author: Clarinet4hire
Date: 2007-07-07 03:28
I don't know how many were in attendance at your performance, but I know what you are saying. I was performing Shepherd on the Rock at a major conference in Rochester, MN last Feb. The conference rooms were all opened up into 1 big room. There were over 3000 people (from all over the US) at this conference, and this room was full, so I bet at least 3/4 of them were there. Well, it was going fairly well and I got lost in the Soprano's voice and stopped counting. I missed 3 entrances -and threw all three of us off. The pianist was wise enough to keep playing her om-chuckas until we decided where and when to come in again, and we finished up allright. But tell me that still doesn't give me nightmares!
I did not let that stop me- In spite of the fact I felt like a hack. It was a good learning experience and I'll never let that happen again!
Count this up as part of the battle. You will get over it-eventually. Besides, at least you now have a great story to share! 
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