 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jenni
Date: 1999-03-13 02:03
Can anyone explane to my why my band director would not like me to play the Eb clarinet. I have been playing the Bb clarinet for 5 years and I would really like to try out for the all- state band becuse I have tryed really hard and never made it and I really want to.Please respond thanks.
Jenni
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-03-13 02:40
Jenni wrote:
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Can anyone explane to my why my band director would not like me to play the Eb clarinet.
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Not without talking to the band director! Have you asked him/her what the reason is?
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Author: Mickey
Date: 1999-03-13 04:04
The Eb clarinet can be "over" played and sound rather harsh for all but the most expert of players. In smaller bands or in bands with a weaker clarinet section, it may not be subtitle. Perhaps the band director needs to here it in a solo selection ... played with grace and passion (By you...smiles).
Keep on trying!!
Mickey
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Author: Katherine Pincock
Date: 1999-03-13 14:18
It's possible that your band director is concerned about the effect on your playing that the Eb could have: it's a lot easier to bite and pinch when playing the Eb, and if that's already a problem for you, you can really slice up your lip. But I agree with Mark: there's no way of knowing until you ask your director why.
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Author: Al
Date: 1999-03-13 14:47
Since it takes a really fine player to successfully perform on the Eb, some band directors are reluctant to "sacrifice" a really good Bb player to the smaller instrument. A good band can survive easily without the Eb clarinet, but the loss of a fine Bb player could weaken the section. Ask your director to give you his/her reason.
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Author: Rob
Date: 1999-03-13 18:13
I know that my band director is the same way. His justification is that an Eb clarinet will only make a high school band sound brighter.
If you want to play Eb, I suggest you practice it at home. Once you have a pretty good hold for it, then, and only then should you approach your director. Eb takes control. It also helps to have a good knowledge of Bb. If you haven't "mastered" Mr. Bb, then you can't expect to play Eb without any problems. It may look small and cute...but it's a deamon! 
Rob
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Author: Albert
Date: 1999-03-14 05:48
Rob wrote:
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It may look small and cute...but it's a deamon!
It DOES look small and cute! But, I wanted to play it for a chance to go for All State. Competition in Texas is REALLY horrible. Only a few get to experience something anything close to it. It's especially bad in my area, in while I won't disclose. I've seen the competition go as far as "bumping" into people to break their reeds! Horrible! That's why I have a mouthpiece cap! :o)
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-03-14 13:24
Albert wrote:
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I've seen the competition go as far as "bumping" into people to break their reeds! Horrible! That's why I have a mouthpiece cap! :o)
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Believe me - they won't last long in college/conservatory. They'll have to figure out some other way to knock off the competition - like working harder and smarter.
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Author: Eb
Date: 1999-03-14 19:55
NUMBER ONE>........
My daughter plays the Eb.... we got her one.. and she's so good... and I and my daughter don't think it's hard to play at all.... Actually.. it's easier then Bb. My daughter is good on Eb because she just made all State on it.. so what are ya'll talking about the Eb being hard 2 play? If u can't play it.. then u oughta see if ur okay or not.
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Author: Alexis
Date: 1999-03-15 03:52
I'm not sure why your band director wouldn't be happy to have you learning something new. If you've played Bb for five years and you're interested in playing Eb, I say go for it. There are some drawbacks despite the fun though: 1) it's a whole different animal, and 2) sometimes if you can't borrow one they're hard to find. Also, I don't recommend just doing it so you can make All-State. You may be disappointed.
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Author: Becky
Date: 1999-03-15 04:15
Look at an Eflat clarinet like you would a piccolo. It is a tone color instrument. E flat clarinets aren't needed all of the time, just like piccolo is not used all of the time. An Eflat clarinet is hard to tune, and hard to blend into the ensemble. That is the primary reason a band director would rather not deal with it. It is kind of like mashed potatoes. A little bit of salt makes them taste great, but too much salt makes them unpalatable.
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Author: Becky
Date: 1999-03-15 04:17
Look at an Eflat clarinet like you would a piccolo. It is a tone color instrument. E flat clarinets aren't needed all of the time, just like piccolo is not used all of the time. An Eflat clarinet is hard to tune, and hard to blend into the ensemble. That is the primary reason a band director would rather not deal with it. It is kind of like mashed potatoes. A little bit of salt makes them taste great, but too much salt makes them unpalatable.
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Author: Albert
Date: 1999-03-15 08:03
Becky wrote:
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It is kind of like mashed potatoes. A little bit of salt makes them taste great, but too much salt makes them unpalatable.
It's not just that it's hard to tune, but it's about losing a good Bb player. It takes a good Bb to play Eb well, and the director is afraid of losing a good Bb. Maybe the director doesn't want mashed potatoes instead when he likes his fries the way they are!
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Author: Daniel
Date: 1999-03-16 04:48
Making All-State on Eb in Texas is harder than Bb. They only take one per area instead of 9 (well.. i'm still not certain how they run the all-state stuff now that they added the extra band)
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