 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: SimpsonSaxGal
Date: 2008-03-31 04:08
I haven't played an instrument much in the last year, and dropped out of school due to personal circumstances. I am now able to return to school, and am looking at a few. I'm not sure if I want to major in music again, but I am definitely thinking about it. I know I will at the least minor or participate in ensembles. I have a few dilemmas.
1. Do I want to go back to saxophone or stay on clarinet? I studied clarinet most recently, but I studied saxophone for longer. Both my instruments need tuning up, but I'm not worried about that. As far as preference, I don't really have one. I just know that I prefer the bigger instruments in both categories (bass and the contras, tenor and bari).
2. How do I get back into practicing? I admit I didn't practice much before, but I really want to get back into the swing of things. I know scales and such are really important. I have some methods books for both instruments that my professors suggested I buy (don't have the titles of them now). I was thinking of starting at 1/2 hour 4 or 5 days a week. Are there other things I should concentrate on?
3. Does anyone know anything about the music programs at the following schools? St. Ambrose in IA, Monmouth in IL, Coe in IA, Cornell in IA, Clarke in IA, Augustana in IL
Thank you very much for any and all information that you respond with.
Kimberly Karwath
Bb, Bass, and Contrabass
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2008-03-31 11:17
>>Do I want to go back to saxophone or stay on clarinet? I studied clarinet most recently, but I studied saxophone for longer. Both my instruments need tuning up, but I'm not worried about that. As far as preference, I don't really have one. I just know that I prefer the bigger instruments in both categories (bass and the contras, tenor and bari).
>>
Do you have to choose? Like you, I prefer the bigger instruments and it would be very hard for me to choose. I'm an amateur, btw, so my choices might not apply to you, but I don't feel any pressure to fixate on just one instrument and it seems to me that versatility isn't a drawback. Flexibility is an asset, with educators and conductors and just about anybody who's in a position to make choices and hand out jobs. A lot of people who use this bulletin board, including the pros, double on clarinet and sax, and some triple or quadruple on flute and oboe as well.
My dad used to sing an old blues parody song, in which a band leader says, "I'm looking for a guy who plays clarinet and cornet and wears a size 37 suit." Guess the guy he was trying to replace played those instruments and left a uniform behind....
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: SimpsonSaxGal
Date: 2008-03-31 15:48
I do understand your concern. I have always really enjoyed playing music. I was successful as a music major for two years at a small school, but I had my lessons prof move away, and had a death in the family that led me deeply into depression. Now that I am finally ready to commit to school again, I know at the least I want to participate again.
The schools I am thinking about have smaller music programs. From my experience with the school I was at, I shouldn't have much of a problem. I do plan on talking with some of the music profs at those schools as well.
I guess the question that I need the most help with at this point is the second one, practicing. I have Melodious and Progressive Studies Book One for clarinet by Hite, and I just started going through that.
Kimberly Karwath
Bb, Bass, and Contrabass
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2008-03-31 18:08
Try to find a good inspirational teacher. Someone who can guide you and get you to the next level.
Just practicing 30 min daily won't do really anything - you need to do more maybe starting with 30 min a couple times a day.
But consider other interests that you can make a living in as music isn't a high growth industry and the competition can be overwhelming.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: Lynn
Date: 2008-03-31 18:20
Kimberly,
I agree totally with what David is suggesting for you. A good teacher can provide so much inspiration and confidence irrespective of your age, ability, or career goals. After all......music is supposed to be fun!
I'd also suggest that you attempt to find other players and experience the wealth of chamber music that is available to you. Sometimes small-ensemble playing allows you to "hear" how music is constructed and how your individual part fits the overall scheme of things. It's certainly beneficial insofar as intonation, phrasing, note length, and style are concerned. Unlike playing in larger ensembles you will be forced to listen (carefully) not only to yourself but the other members of your ensemble as well.
Best of luck to you in your musical endeavors.
Lynn
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2008-04-01 11:46
>>Just practicing 30 min daily won't do really anything - you need to do more maybe starting with 30 min a couple times a day.>>
I don't disagree with this advice, but want to add to it: Work up to a heavier practice schedule gradually, so you don't end up with "clarinet thumb" or some other overuse injury. Tendons take forever to heal. I'm all too aware of that right now because I fell and badly sprained my right wrist, a month ago tomorrow, and although all visible signs of the injury healed within two weeks, I still can't play the clarinet or the sax even with a neck strap. That was a sudden, accidental injury, but overuse can do you in just as badly.
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: Jaysne
Date: 2008-04-01 14:52
You say you like the bigger instruments; I've never heard of a clarinet player majoring on contrabass. Sax players, however, do get to major on tenor and perhaps on bari. Seems like sax would be the way to go.
But that avoids the larger issue--what do you want to accomplish by going to music school? Is it is performance? If so, then you will want to decide which instrument you want to make money with for the rest of your life. If it's just a general education, then it probably doesn't matter which horn you choose.
Bottom line is, of course, you can always play both horns.
How to get back into practicing? Get a teacher. If you're even just a little serious about this, you need a teacher to guide you. Teachers give you advice not only about your instrument and practicing, but also about music in general, and how it fits into a person's world.
If you're not willing to get a teacher, you should forget about going to music school. No way you'd be able to get in.
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Author: SimpsonSaxGal
Date: 2008-04-02 02:07
I'm not looking at schools with huge prestigious music programs. I'm looking at small liberal arts schools that have a music department. IMO, there's a big difference between the two. I don't plan on making a living in music. I might participate in a community band, but that'd be about it.
As far as the practicing goes, I've never been really consistent with practicing before. I see 30 minutes a day as a reasonable start to getting back into it. As I'm able to keep up this amount of time, I do plan to do an hour a day or more.
As far as teachers go, I might check with my high school band director to see if he knows of anyone that I could study with.
I really do appreciate all of your comments. You're making me consider things that I wouldn't have thought of. Thank you.
Kimberly Karwath
Bb, Bass, and Contrabass
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Author: chicagoclar
Date: 2008-04-02 16:57
It definately sounds to me like you don't want to major in music. There's nothing wrong with minoring or just participating. Why spend all the time and money majoring in something that you don't want to do for a living? You'd be better off finding a major that interests you more and keeping music for the fun in your life.
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